I will try to be of service to the young and gifted artists out there plus some of the wealth of experiences I have had since my appearance on the New York Guitar Scene since 1962 here in New York. As I stated a couple of posts ago, since turning 63 this month, I will take the next two years off from being in every crack and crevice of the New York City Classical/Jazz Guitar scene to concentrate on my own Playing and several outstanding Guitar projects. I must give you a heads up later on about all the great Guitar action: Tomorrow RUPERT BOYD at 2:30 at the Met of Art, Thursday the brilliant and dazzling JASON VIEAUX will be lecturing at the New York City Classical Guitar Society and Friday will give his usual superlative performance at the International Guitar Series sponsored by the Guitar Society and on Saturday in New Jersey there will be a wonderful Guitar Festival at The William Patterson University in New Jersey which will feature the young legendary Phenomenal Peruvian Titan JORGE CABALLERRO in Concert! This great artist must be experienced because he, at his young age is a great one in THE HISTORY OF MUSIC BARING INSTRUMENT DESIGNATION!!! Also the unusual Solo JAZZ Guitar Artistry of the fantastic musical genius JOHN STOWELL!! This artist has his own way of looking at the Guitar that will also astound you in his great creativity. His great teaching video is online at You Tube and you will learn some truly spectacular techniques with him. I HEARTILY Recommend you view the great performances of JORGE CABALLERRO on You Tube! He will knock you off your feet with his other worldly performances especially his performance of the PICTURES at An EXHIBITION ! I have followed this legendary artist since his days at The Manhattan School of Music where he stunned The Assad Brothers in their Masterclass with an impeccable performance of a work by Bach. JORGE continues to stun all who attends his performances with the most outstanding interpretations of all he plays. Count this young man with the greats already in the vanguard of Music History. I know my Guitar Artists and this man is a M O N S T E R up there with BREAM,WILLIAMS,SEGOVIA and any other of the greats of our beloved instrument! So- hopefully you will get to spend a day at William Patterson this Saturday for the mere $20 bucks.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Reviews and thoughts to come Pia,Rupert,Gohar and others
I will be posting part two of a 3 part overview of the work of German Guitar Virtuoso PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN and a followup to my just posted bit on RUPERT BOYD. That will continue with another look at the brilliance of GOHAR VARDANYAN, who last month was in town to perform for the New York City Classical Guitar Society. I was looking forward to attending to cheer my dear colleague on but just got out of the hospital and was too weak to travel. For more on these great young artists, I suggest you bathe in their greatness by going to You Tube for examples of their artistry! You will not be disappointed!
The Genius of Virtuoso, RUPERT BOYD at The Met Tomorrow May 1st
I must let you know that the brilliant young Australian/American Guitar Virtuoso RUPERT BOYD ( www.rupertboyd.com ) will be giving a demo tomorrow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 2:30 free of charge in the Musical Instruments Collection ( Gallery 684 ) during which he will trace the development of he Classical Guitar by playing several instruments from the Museums' Cillection starting with a 19th Century Lacote, formally owned by the Legendary Genius JULIAN BREAM. The demo/trace will end with compositions played on Ruperts' fantastic Greg Smallman and Sons ( 2011 ). I have followed the rise of this great, young virtuoso for over a decade and he has always performed with the highest of musicianship and virtuosity and is one of our truly young greats in the Classical Guitar world. I strongly suggest you make a fast trek tomorrow to this special event. I will be there to catch the magic of RUPERT as he tastes the great instruments which will give us a fine measure of how far the Classical Guitar has come in it's expressive ability and volume projection. I will have more on this great young artist as a followup or lead in to tomorrows' demo.For now I suggest you zoom into his website ( www.rupertboyd.com ) and jump on to You Tube to revel in the wonderful sounds and sights of this brilliant young artist who continues to amaze us with his great playing!
Don Witter,Jr.
Don Witter,Jr.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Pia Gazarek-Offermann Plays Spanish Guitar Masterpieces-Part 1
I am proud to announce the appearance of the 2nd CD by the great German Virtuoso Guitarist PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN.Since I received this exceptional recording a week ago, I have listened to it several times and have written several reviews written from different angles.I have tried my dear friends' patience by delaying my review over the last few days because I want to give a full account of where this great artist is at this point in her career so good things take time. Since I have the luxury of this blog, I can write as much as I want without having my words truncated to meet a publications word limit so I will be doing a 2 part overview of this great artist because she deserves it!
We have been played a little text tag this week as I tried to research more about my colleague and I just have to get down to the task at hand first of the CD.
On this excellent CD "SPANISH GUITAR MASTERPIECES", Pia Gazarek-OFFERMANN performs the works on a magnificent 2009 KARL-HEINZ ROEMMICH ( roemmich-guitars.com ). I have first hand knowledge of how great this instrument is because I played it when Pia was last here in New York in 2010 to perform for the New York Classical Guitar Society and The Long Island Guitar Festival. That instrument
" plays itself "! You can realize the slightest musical utterance in such an "awesome" instrument. I immediately told her "Can I have it?". On the CD Pia opens the door wide and deep into the most spectacular world of Guitar colors and articulations all in the great service of the music.What stands out for me was the way in which she weighs the importance of each and every note and phrase that makes the music proud of being performed by her. Time and time again I was drawn into the way in which she attacked and caressed the phrases. I am familiar with all three works on the program: SONATA #2 by Eduardo Lopez-Chavarri , SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou and SONATA by Antonio Jose. I was happy to see a very little played Chavarri Sonata on the CD because I remember it as though it was yesterday when I first heard it played in the 70's at Carnegie Recital Hall when the brilliant Mexican Virtuoso ALFONSO MORENO performed it at his New York Debut! In the gifted hands of Pia Gazarek-Offermann, the many varied textures in the composition were crafted with expertise and knowing musical understanding.The thematic variety in this composition will surely challenge the greatest musical minds in make coherent sense of so much variety but Pia is up to the task. I would hope that this heavily ignored composition will get a second look now that Pia has given such an excellent reading! The other two works on the program are well known Spanish works: SONATA by Antonio Jose ( Performed several decades ago by my dear colleague RICARDO IZNAOLA ) and The SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou. What Pia does is to make these works one jewel after another.Her use of tone color,phrasing and articulation is of the highest realm of execution which makes the music sings it's best song. At my 1st hearing of the CD Friday April 12th , I wrote down my review of each and every movement and when I get the wind restored to me and am ready to type it all, I will post it here as a part 2. Let me congratulate my dear and magnificent colleague and frind on another great job well done. Folks you must attend her concerts if at all possible because when in this musical world we yearn for our hearts to be touched and senses awakened , here is someone who does just that and more. PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN must be experienced!
Don Witter,Jr.
member of NYCCGS
We have been played a little text tag this week as I tried to research more about my colleague and I just have to get down to the task at hand first of the CD.
On this excellent CD "SPANISH GUITAR MASTERPIECES", Pia Gazarek-OFFERMANN performs the works on a magnificent 2009 KARL-HEINZ ROEMMICH ( roemmich-guitars.com ). I have first hand knowledge of how great this instrument is because I played it when Pia was last here in New York in 2010 to perform for the New York Classical Guitar Society and The Long Island Guitar Festival. That instrument
" plays itself "! You can realize the slightest musical utterance in such an "awesome" instrument. I immediately told her "Can I have it?". On the CD Pia opens the door wide and deep into the most spectacular world of Guitar colors and articulations all in the great service of the music.What stands out for me was the way in which she weighs the importance of each and every note and phrase that makes the music proud of being performed by her. Time and time again I was drawn into the way in which she attacked and caressed the phrases. I am familiar with all three works on the program: SONATA #2 by Eduardo Lopez-Chavarri , SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou and SONATA by Antonio Jose. I was happy to see a very little played Chavarri Sonata on the CD because I remember it as though it was yesterday when I first heard it played in the 70's at Carnegie Recital Hall when the brilliant Mexican Virtuoso ALFONSO MORENO performed it at his New York Debut! In the gifted hands of Pia Gazarek-Offermann, the many varied textures in the composition were crafted with expertise and knowing musical understanding.The thematic variety in this composition will surely challenge the greatest musical minds in make coherent sense of so much variety but Pia is up to the task. I would hope that this heavily ignored composition will get a second look now that Pia has given such an excellent reading! The other two works on the program are well known Spanish works: SONATA by Antonio Jose ( Performed several decades ago by my dear colleague RICARDO IZNAOLA ) and The SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou. What Pia does is to make these works one jewel after another.Her use of tone color,phrasing and articulation is of the highest realm of execution which makes the music sings it's best song. At my 1st hearing of the CD Friday April 12th , I wrote down my review of each and every movement and when I get the wind restored to me and am ready to type it all, I will post it here as a part 2. Let me congratulate my dear and magnificent colleague and frind on another great job well done. Folks you must attend her concerts if at all possible because when in this musical world we yearn for our hearts to be touched and senses awakened , here is someone who does just that and more. PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN must be experienced!
Don Witter,Jr.
member of NYCCGS
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Back in Business after being sick
I am so happy to be back. Things were going well until the sick bell rang for me with Diabetic complications that landed me in the hospital for a week! Well I am slowly getting back to work playing around the city. I just turned 63 this last Saturday April 6th and I have decided that for the next 2 years I will stay out of the general scene hanging at concerts and workshops to concentrate on making ME a GREAT PLAYER! I will be spending more time on this blog helping to support my love of the guitar in my own way.
This year you should try to make it to the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR as the main focus will be how to make that career in marketing yourself as a Guitarist! I already paid for my week's stay and I think I will go to the GFA for the fun of it. You won't see me at the Guitar Society either as I really concentrate on things I need to address as I work on myself. There are so many things I yet have to get done and this recent bout in the hospital opened my eyes to a few important things in life.
I have just received a new CD from my dear colleague in Germany PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN and will be reviewing it in my next post. I listened to the hour long CD from 12:30 to 01:30 am this morning and am excited to bring you this review. As you know I have covered this great artist before and believe she is a magical player who will cast a magical musical glow over all who experience her artistry so stay tuned to the Donnie Channel !
I must thank the great and beautiful DAVID LEISNER for remembering my birthday on FACE BOOK! LOVE YOU BUDDIE!!!
A big shout out goes to the great publisher of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE, MAURICE SUMMERFIELD who will be honored at the GFA this year. Thanks Maurice for my monthly pages of Guitar Joy!
My sadness for not attending the concert of one of my guitar heroes - GOHAR VARDANYAN! I was too weak to travel anywhere after being in the hospital for the preceding week but I know she glowed like the great jewel she is!!!!
You must check out the new pod casts produced BRET WILLIAMS. His 1st show interviewed my dear colleague JULIA CROWE! What an incredible person she is! In the second interview, Bret interviewed the great young virtuoso RUPERT BOYD! Rupert is really way up there near the top of the list of great artists and such a sweet young man. I have been a great fan of his for over decade and if you ever get a chance to hear him R U S H TO GET THAT TICKET! This young man has it all together. WWW.RUPERTBOYD.COM.
I think that is it for now kiddies! It is 4:04 Saturday Morning and I as PUMPED up to get back here in business.
FORBES HENDERSON in England! I have not forgotten you! I will be doing our thing with the mister BACH in due time.
As I remember England, I must hug DAVID CASWELL for being such a wonderful artist! I spent some quality time with DAVID who is a monster Player when I attended WEST DEAN in 1997/1999. I have a cassette of us playing for each other that hits all 10's! Thanks DAVID.
When my wife and I vacationed in Puerto Rico, I had the great joy of visiting two great artists : ERNESTO CORDERO and JUAN SORROCHE!!! I spent a wonderful evening with Maestro Cordero that I will never forget.His hospitality was amazing and he treated me like a king!!! When I was able to catch JUAN SORROCHE at the University of Puerto Rico, he spent about and hour with me as he read through his wonderful compositions for me! That is one of the reasons why I am taking off the next two years from the New York Guitar scene. I want to present a Puerto Rican Guitar program ( which I promised to both of these greats ). Need the time to prepare. Outside of some native Puerto Rican artists, hardly any one is playing their beautiful. I just received an email from Maestro Cordero a couple of days ago with a video of a new work. I am humbled that he took the time to contact me.
My stay in the hospital slapped me silly with thoughts of things I should concentrate on from here in and I made a mental list of what I want to get done and promises to keep so here I go.Thanks for letting me air this online and I hope to be a valuable voice in our Classical/Jazz Guitar world.
DONNIE GUITAR!!!
p.s. I cannot leave this without hugging my dear and loving wife who has stood by me.This July will be our 26th wedding anniversary. We have been been together 28 years!! W H E W !!! I am a lucky man to have such an incredible human being as my wife is and I know she can't stand my shouting her praises to such a public audience, but I dearly love this special human being and I almost daily tell her I don't deserve her but I do my best to please her. WHAT A PAIR!!! She has stood by me for: a stent implant,Quadruple bypass,Prostate Cancer and two nasty bouts with diabetic complications. When I had the Prostate Cancer I spent the whole month of December that year 5 days a week getting Radiation treatment by the worst situation was the Bypass as I had to get my butt walking so slowly and feeling like a weak kitten. She made sure I had my progress every day and especially those days when I just wanted to pull the cover over my head and disappear. She also made come incredible meals for me. What a champion human being I married.
This year you should try to make it to the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR as the main focus will be how to make that career in marketing yourself as a Guitarist! I already paid for my week's stay and I think I will go to the GFA for the fun of it. You won't see me at the Guitar Society either as I really concentrate on things I need to address as I work on myself. There are so many things I yet have to get done and this recent bout in the hospital opened my eyes to a few important things in life.
I have just received a new CD from my dear colleague in Germany PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN and will be reviewing it in my next post. I listened to the hour long CD from 12:30 to 01:30 am this morning and am excited to bring you this review. As you know I have covered this great artist before and believe she is a magical player who will cast a magical musical glow over all who experience her artistry so stay tuned to the Donnie Channel !
I must thank the great and beautiful DAVID LEISNER for remembering my birthday on FACE BOOK! LOVE YOU BUDDIE!!!
A big shout out goes to the great publisher of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE, MAURICE SUMMERFIELD who will be honored at the GFA this year. Thanks Maurice for my monthly pages of Guitar Joy!
My sadness for not attending the concert of one of my guitar heroes - GOHAR VARDANYAN! I was too weak to travel anywhere after being in the hospital for the preceding week but I know she glowed like the great jewel she is!!!!
You must check out the new pod casts produced BRET WILLIAMS. His 1st show interviewed my dear colleague JULIA CROWE! What an incredible person she is! In the second interview, Bret interviewed the great young virtuoso RUPERT BOYD! Rupert is really way up there near the top of the list of great artists and such a sweet young man. I have been a great fan of his for over decade and if you ever get a chance to hear him R U S H TO GET THAT TICKET! This young man has it all together. WWW.RUPERTBOYD.COM.
I think that is it for now kiddies! It is 4:04 Saturday Morning and I as PUMPED up to get back here in business.
FORBES HENDERSON in England! I have not forgotten you! I will be doing our thing with the mister BACH in due time.
As I remember England, I must hug DAVID CASWELL for being such a wonderful artist! I spent some quality time with DAVID who is a monster Player when I attended WEST DEAN in 1997/1999. I have a cassette of us playing for each other that hits all 10's! Thanks DAVID.
When my wife and I vacationed in Puerto Rico, I had the great joy of visiting two great artists : ERNESTO CORDERO and JUAN SORROCHE!!! I spent a wonderful evening with Maestro Cordero that I will never forget.His hospitality was amazing and he treated me like a king!!! When I was able to catch JUAN SORROCHE at the University of Puerto Rico, he spent about and hour with me as he read through his wonderful compositions for me! That is one of the reasons why I am taking off the next two years from the New York Guitar scene. I want to present a Puerto Rican Guitar program ( which I promised to both of these greats ). Need the time to prepare. Outside of some native Puerto Rican artists, hardly any one is playing their beautiful. I just received an email from Maestro Cordero a couple of days ago with a video of a new work. I am humbled that he took the time to contact me.
My stay in the hospital slapped me silly with thoughts of things I should concentrate on from here in and I made a mental list of what I want to get done and promises to keep so here I go.Thanks for letting me air this online and I hope to be a valuable voice in our Classical/Jazz Guitar world.
DONNIE GUITAR!!!
p.s. I cannot leave this without hugging my dear and loving wife who has stood by me.This July will be our 26th wedding anniversary. We have been been together 28 years!! W H E W !!! I am a lucky man to have such an incredible human being as my wife is and I know she can't stand my shouting her praises to such a public audience, but I dearly love this special human being and I almost daily tell her I don't deserve her but I do my best to please her. WHAT A PAIR!!! She has stood by me for: a stent implant,Quadruple bypass,Prostate Cancer and two nasty bouts with diabetic complications. When I had the Prostate Cancer I spent the whole month of December that year 5 days a week getting Radiation treatment by the worst situation was the Bypass as I had to get my butt walking so slowly and feeling like a weak kitten. She made sure I had my progress every day and especially those days when I just wanted to pull the cover over my head and disappear. She also made come incredible meals for me. What a champion human being I married.
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