Before that coffee rolls down my throat, just want you to know that I will be pointing out some people in our guitar world you should know about as I bump into them on the web and if I check out a good book or video that will help you become better musicians and guitarists, I will let you know that also. For now let me pass on two names you should check out N O W :
SYLVAIN LUC
TOMMY EMMANUEL
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Some Thoughts by Donnie
My previous post on Erica Cha is quite humorous to me because only this afternoon I was watching CUNY TV here on cable in New York and caught two documentaries on BACH back to back. He is the greatest composer in musical history and a monument to the art of music! Then to report on Erica's prelude performance was a treat as a followup.
As those of you who know me, I only deal in the truth and will sometimes be attacked for that so I keep my blog only to my voice as I experienced such heartache and pain when I was on forums over the years. After turning a young 63 this past April, I have been deeply looking at what I can do with the rest of my life with the guitar. This blog will hopefully be my legacy of my Guitar Devotion.
I have taken off the Summer performing in the Music Under New York Program to "Smell the Roses". I have been taking time to work on "the basics"- "Wood shedding" and cleaning up my website. Also working on getting more healthy.
My congratulations go out to RUPERT BOYD the young Austrailian/American Guitar virtuoso who continues to bring beautifully performed concerts wherever he goes! Read his blog and check put his Videos on YOU TUBE.
Also worthy a big mention is the lovely and enormously talented GOHAR VARDANYAN! I was looking forward to attending her concert sponsored by the New York City Classical Guitar Society but just came out of the hospital and was too weak to travel. I apologized to her at the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR.
This young woman is a F A N T A S T I C ARTIST!!! Check out her performances on You Tube also!!! What a treat to watch and her hear her perform.
I will be reporting on the MANNES 2013 Seminar in bits and pieces as I have selected about 7 or so separate reports on this great event! MICHAEL NEWMAN, LAURA OLTMAN and MARIANO AGUIRRE - the three powerhouses of presentation must be hugged for all their efforts in staging this wonderful event. I must also include the supporting staff of students who did all the necessary day by day operations of keeping this Seminar moving along! LOVE THAT MICHAEL! HE IS SO FUNNY! I watched Michael grow up and I also attended his 1st concert at a church on 13th street in Manhatten. He was "THE OUTSTANDING" student of Cuban Born Virtuoso Guitarist/Teacher ALBERT VALDES BLAIN. We also attended the 1st American Masterclass of the Giant JOHN DUARTE in 1973 when he gave his class at the great GUITAR WORKSHOP in OYSTER BAY LONG ISLAND. I remember the director, a slight man full of energy- KENT SIDON - who had a great staff of exceptional teachers. Anyway- Michael played rings around everyone. There were lots of jealous folks up there who just thought this "WISE ASS PUNK KID" was too much to stomach but I knew exactly what Michael was all about. He has a great wit and loves to turn a cute and humorous phrase, which was too often taken as a "Smart Alick"
spout. I remember the jealous comments behind his back of those who wondered "Who in the hell is this snippy punk?" . I also remember how studious Michael was. He had his pencil and little pad to take absolutely everything Duarte told him about his playing and I thought this was an excellent eye opener for the rest of the students but they didn't catch on. Yes that was also the year we had the great JERRY WILLARD on the staff as teacher and concert artist!!!! HEY JERRY HOW ARE YOU DOING BUDDY?
Jerry Willard played his transcription of the RITUAL FIRE DANCE witch knocked my sox off".!!!! in the late 68-69 , I was a student at Mannes when the legendary Virtuoso Pianist ATUR RUBENSTEIN came to Mannes to shoot a documentary on his life! I attended a concert of his at Carnegie Hall in which he performed one of his great "SHOWPIECES" - The Ritual Fire Dance. He loved to add theatrics to that explosive performance by raising his hands to the ceiling and landing whack after whack of those massive chords, always landing solidly like a rock! I know there is a video on You Tube you can reference of his performance! Oyster Bay - The Guitar Workshop also had a couple of other moments in my life! One was the FANTASTIC CONCERT given by legendary Flamenco Virtuoso SABICAS . I remember how I was pissed that he didn't start right at 8pm. I later heard that there were some "Special VIPS" who requested they hold up the concert start time so they can be there. It was a usual SABICAS display of mastery. Yes this was the time when all the young guns of the super fast scale proponents led by PACO DE LUCIA were just getting started. I noticed how SABICAS would show the audience that he too could flash a mean scale at warp speed! It was just that spirit he conveyed as he said "SEE. I TOO CAN DAZZLE YOU BUT I DON"T NEED TO"! I was also indebted to Maestro Sabicas as he patted me on my back for performing a fine version of the B minor etude by Sor when he was visiting TONY DAVID at the American Institute of The Guitar on 54 th street. TONY and SABICAS were great friends and I actually was in the company of just us 3 one afternoon and I asked to see his hands because I always loved the big rich tone he produced on the guitar. YEP THAT man had meaty fingers and super strong nails. I was on top of the world being congratulated by him and just being around him. I was heart broken when my dear colleague and friend DENNIS KOSTER told me at a social gathering that SABICAS passed away with no one around him. As I write these words, the tears are again flowing as this great gentleman graced my life with his beautiful character and dignified spirit.
ROSE AUGUSTINE was our greatest hero and I will always miss her! I loved that woman and the week in which she passed away, I spent several hours with her one afternoon that week.She was complaining about a cold that would not go away. Little did I know that whatever that was, it did her in at the end of the week. I was stunned to find out about her passing from the concert stage of Eliot Fisks's Tully Hall Concert~!! I have been friends with Rose since the late 60's and I loved bumping into her around the city. That hopefully will be a separate post on this blog of mine. She did so much for us!!!
I can also write a long and separate blog about that "GUITAR HERO" - ELIOT FISK. I have followed Eliot since the late 60's also and at this years Mannes Seminar told him about the many times I have heard him including his performance at The 1975 Toronto ( or was it 1978 ?). That was the year ALIRIO DIAZ performed. Eliot is either loved or hated because he is brash and bold on the concert stage. Sometimes he comes across as a "SLEDGE HAMMER" because he really can make the guitar say "UNCLE". He has already gone down in my mind as the equal of LISZT, PAGANINI, BEETHOVEN. Without question, Eliot is "OVER THE TOP" but what an exciting persona to experience and it was such this year. I almost attend the GFA just before the Mannes to get another taste of Eliot but I decided not to go Guitar hog wild on myself. More on Eliot in an upcoming post! I love how he was dressed in a white suit and how he always calmly walks to the concert platform which belies the torrential volcano that will be erupting when he places that instrument on his lap. Was that a run on sentence? Eliot blows me away!
Let me take a time out right now. This blog rings me out as I have so much to say about our craft and the people in it. MAURICE SUMMERFIELD ROCKS!!!. I want to hug my buddy across the pond for that MAGNIFICENT MAGAZINE - "CLASSICAL GUITAR" as I am enjoying each and every issue. There is so much Classical Guitar activity around the world and this magazine continues to be a great source of up to the minute information and excellent articles on so many aspects. Yep- an upcoming blog on this great magazine also!! I am not sure but I believe the GFA was supposed to honor MAURICE this year and he deserves it! KUDOS TO MY DEAR FRIEND! I LOVE YOU and ADMIRE YOU!
This 63 year crazy guy is spent for now. Gotta get some sleep or maybe check out some performances on the web and sip some coffee. See you next post!!!
DONNIE GUITAR!
As those of you who know me, I only deal in the truth and will sometimes be attacked for that so I keep my blog only to my voice as I experienced such heartache and pain when I was on forums over the years. After turning a young 63 this past April, I have been deeply looking at what I can do with the rest of my life with the guitar. This blog will hopefully be my legacy of my Guitar Devotion.
I have taken off the Summer performing in the Music Under New York Program to "Smell the Roses". I have been taking time to work on "the basics"- "Wood shedding" and cleaning up my website. Also working on getting more healthy.
My congratulations go out to RUPERT BOYD the young Austrailian/American Guitar virtuoso who continues to bring beautifully performed concerts wherever he goes! Read his blog and check put his Videos on YOU TUBE.
Also worthy a big mention is the lovely and enormously talented GOHAR VARDANYAN! I was looking forward to attending her concert sponsored by the New York City Classical Guitar Society but just came out of the hospital and was too weak to travel. I apologized to her at the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR.
This young woman is a F A N T A S T I C ARTIST!!! Check out her performances on You Tube also!!! What a treat to watch and her hear her perform.
I will be reporting on the MANNES 2013 Seminar in bits and pieces as I have selected about 7 or so separate reports on this great event! MICHAEL NEWMAN, LAURA OLTMAN and MARIANO AGUIRRE - the three powerhouses of presentation must be hugged for all their efforts in staging this wonderful event. I must also include the supporting staff of students who did all the necessary day by day operations of keeping this Seminar moving along! LOVE THAT MICHAEL! HE IS SO FUNNY! I watched Michael grow up and I also attended his 1st concert at a church on 13th street in Manhatten. He was "THE OUTSTANDING" student of Cuban Born Virtuoso Guitarist/Teacher ALBERT VALDES BLAIN. We also attended the 1st American Masterclass of the Giant JOHN DUARTE in 1973 when he gave his class at the great GUITAR WORKSHOP in OYSTER BAY LONG ISLAND. I remember the director, a slight man full of energy- KENT SIDON - who had a great staff of exceptional teachers. Anyway- Michael played rings around everyone. There were lots of jealous folks up there who just thought this "WISE ASS PUNK KID" was too much to stomach but I knew exactly what Michael was all about. He has a great wit and loves to turn a cute and humorous phrase, which was too often taken as a "Smart Alick"
spout. I remember the jealous comments behind his back of those who wondered "Who in the hell is this snippy punk?" . I also remember how studious Michael was. He had his pencil and little pad to take absolutely everything Duarte told him about his playing and I thought this was an excellent eye opener for the rest of the students but they didn't catch on. Yes that was also the year we had the great JERRY WILLARD on the staff as teacher and concert artist!!!! HEY JERRY HOW ARE YOU DOING BUDDY?
Jerry Willard played his transcription of the RITUAL FIRE DANCE witch knocked my sox off".!!!! in the late 68-69 , I was a student at Mannes when the legendary Virtuoso Pianist ATUR RUBENSTEIN came to Mannes to shoot a documentary on his life! I attended a concert of his at Carnegie Hall in which he performed one of his great "SHOWPIECES" - The Ritual Fire Dance. He loved to add theatrics to that explosive performance by raising his hands to the ceiling and landing whack after whack of those massive chords, always landing solidly like a rock! I know there is a video on You Tube you can reference of his performance! Oyster Bay - The Guitar Workshop also had a couple of other moments in my life! One was the FANTASTIC CONCERT given by legendary Flamenco Virtuoso SABICAS . I remember how I was pissed that he didn't start right at 8pm. I later heard that there were some "Special VIPS" who requested they hold up the concert start time so they can be there. It was a usual SABICAS display of mastery. Yes this was the time when all the young guns of the super fast scale proponents led by PACO DE LUCIA were just getting started. I noticed how SABICAS would show the audience that he too could flash a mean scale at warp speed! It was just that spirit he conveyed as he said "SEE. I TOO CAN DAZZLE YOU BUT I DON"T NEED TO"! I was also indebted to Maestro Sabicas as he patted me on my back for performing a fine version of the B minor etude by Sor when he was visiting TONY DAVID at the American Institute of The Guitar on 54 th street. TONY and SABICAS were great friends and I actually was in the company of just us 3 one afternoon and I asked to see his hands because I always loved the big rich tone he produced on the guitar. YEP THAT man had meaty fingers and super strong nails. I was on top of the world being congratulated by him and just being around him. I was heart broken when my dear colleague and friend DENNIS KOSTER told me at a social gathering that SABICAS passed away with no one around him. As I write these words, the tears are again flowing as this great gentleman graced my life with his beautiful character and dignified spirit.
ROSE AUGUSTINE was our greatest hero and I will always miss her! I loved that woman and the week in which she passed away, I spent several hours with her one afternoon that week.She was complaining about a cold that would not go away. Little did I know that whatever that was, it did her in at the end of the week. I was stunned to find out about her passing from the concert stage of Eliot Fisks's Tully Hall Concert~!! I have been friends with Rose since the late 60's and I loved bumping into her around the city. That hopefully will be a separate post on this blog of mine. She did so much for us!!!
I can also write a long and separate blog about that "GUITAR HERO" - ELIOT FISK. I have followed Eliot since the late 60's also and at this years Mannes Seminar told him about the many times I have heard him including his performance at The 1975 Toronto ( or was it 1978 ?). That was the year ALIRIO DIAZ performed. Eliot is either loved or hated because he is brash and bold on the concert stage. Sometimes he comes across as a "SLEDGE HAMMER" because he really can make the guitar say "UNCLE". He has already gone down in my mind as the equal of LISZT, PAGANINI, BEETHOVEN. Without question, Eliot is "OVER THE TOP" but what an exciting persona to experience and it was such this year. I almost attend the GFA just before the Mannes to get another taste of Eliot but I decided not to go Guitar hog wild on myself. More on Eliot in an upcoming post! I love how he was dressed in a white suit and how he always calmly walks to the concert platform which belies the torrential volcano that will be erupting when he places that instrument on his lap. Was that a run on sentence? Eliot blows me away!
Let me take a time out right now. This blog rings me out as I have so much to say about our craft and the people in it. MAURICE SUMMERFIELD ROCKS!!!. I want to hug my buddy across the pond for that MAGNIFICENT MAGAZINE - "CLASSICAL GUITAR" as I am enjoying each and every issue. There is so much Classical Guitar activity around the world and this magazine continues to be a great source of up to the minute information and excellent articles on so many aspects. Yep- an upcoming blog on this great magazine also!! I am not sure but I believe the GFA was supposed to honor MAURICE this year and he deserves it! KUDOS TO MY DEAR FRIEND! I LOVE YOU and ADMIRE YOU!
This 63 year crazy guy is spent for now. Gotta get some sleep or maybe check out some performances on the web and sip some coffee. See you next post!!!
DONNIE GUITAR!
ERICA CHA at MANNES- EMERGING ARTIST IN MOTION
There is a young artist in the making who revealed herself in front of us at the 2013 Mannes Guitar Seminar as she performed in the Sharon Isbin Masterclass. Her name is ERICA CHA and she will be one of our "Greats" if she continues along her current path. From her 1st few notes in the Isbin masterclass, I knew there was someone special in front of me. Her Guitar ( ZEBULON TURRENTINE NO 6 ), had it all together. That instrument was one of the best I have heard in quite some time! Excellent volume and lovely tone character! It must be a joy to play. Anyway, I just got off my I-phone letting Erica know that I am posting this blog about her. Erica has a video on you tube of her playing a Bon Jovi tune ( Livin on a Prayer ) on which she uses a steel string acoustic guitar. I jumped into "Donnie Research mode" and investigated any other possible sources of an ERICA SIGHTING and was happy to find her performance of the aforementioned Bach prelude - Prelude in E major BWV 1006a on the website of her Luthier -
( WWW.ZEBULONTURRENTINE.COM ). This prelude requires an ability to dive head long into a "Forward Motion Dash". No room to breathe in this opening movement . I remembered that John Williams had a posting of this movement online so I immediately ran through his performance ( which is really unfair ) but I just wanted to see how the performances differed. I remember how I just loved Ericas' sure and confident performance in front of Sharon and how Sharon was also impressed-so much so that she was encouraging her to join her in Aspen next year for her course. After Erica's performance, I shouted my praises and was shocked by how the audience did not likewise hoot and holler for this emerging young artist! She won 2nd place in this years' APPALACHAIN Guitar Festival and is a student of RAFAEL SCARFULLERY.
Whoever gets to mold her performances in the present and future will be a fortunate teacher and I do hope that she gets only the best available teachers in her young and gifted life. This young lady has it all going for her and I wish her the best!!!!!
I will be watching her progress and reporting on any new advances as they happen.
( WWW.ZEBULONTURRENTINE.COM ). This prelude requires an ability to dive head long into a "Forward Motion Dash". No room to breathe in this opening movement . I remembered that John Williams had a posting of this movement online so I immediately ran through his performance ( which is really unfair ) but I just wanted to see how the performances differed. I remember how I just loved Ericas' sure and confident performance in front of Sharon and how Sharon was also impressed-so much so that she was encouraging her to join her in Aspen next year for her course. After Erica's performance, I shouted my praises and was shocked by how the audience did not likewise hoot and holler for this emerging young artist! She won 2nd place in this years' APPALACHAIN Guitar Festival and is a student of RAFAEL SCARFULLERY.
Whoever gets to mold her performances in the present and future will be a fortunate teacher and I do hope that she gets only the best available teachers in her young and gifted life. This young lady has it all going for her and I wish her the best!!!!!
I will be watching her progress and reporting on any new advances as they happen.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Mannes Guitar Seminar-Opening Night Concert-2013 day # 1
The 13th New York Guitar Seminar at MANNES " Be a Player" kicked off this year's Festivities at the AMERICAS SOCIETY/ 68th street and Park Avenue and is was a sold out crowd!! The theme tonight was "GUITAR MUSIC OF THE AMERICAS" and featured Zaira Meneses ( Mexico ), Carlos Barbosa-Lima
( Brazil ) and a mesmerizing trio of Francisco Roldan,Guitar ( Colombia ),Carlo Valte, Oud ( Philippines) and Rex Benincasa, percussion ( USA ) .Zaira Meneses ( who is the wife of legendary Eliot Fisk ) started off the evening by playing 3 pieces in the style of Weiss by Mexican composer Manuel M.Ponce. Attired in a beautiful aqua blue gown she seemed to be just a little cautious in the 3 movements but exhibited an interesting interpretational slant to the movements.I know this from the early days of my introduction to Maestro Segovia's recording. Zaira's insight was an interesting change of phrasing. Her instrument was a Cedar topped guitar which pretty well gave her what she wanted. I had to laugh a little inside as she pulled us into a false sense of quiet and tameness with the Prelude and Balleto then "unleashed the hounds for the Giga. There was an unbridled ferociousness that a couple of times almost got away from her but she reined it in. Her second choice was the devilish 3 movement Sonata of Cuban Virtuoso guitarist/composer LEO BROUWER! Zaira's interpretation of these 3 movements was "Out of this World" and was the finest performance I have heard bar none! It ranks up there with Julian Bream's recording. Pin point accuracy in note articulation was the order of the day! I really,really,really enjoyed her flawless execution and musicality! I am excited even now as I write up this post.Being in the front row center, I watched her dissect the fingerboard with the accuracy of a surgeon! It was a glowing performance that made the audience wild. I have heard Zaira several times over the last several years and her performance of Brouwer's Sonata "rocked my world ". It had a bite that reminded me of the ferocious attack of her husband Eliot Fisk! WHEW!! She informed us that her choice of the Sonata was due to the fact that her mother is Cuban. She offered one encore- A Spanish/Mexican song that spoke of the strength of womanhood which opened with an accompaniment of harmonics. I bring up the execution of harmonics because she played the best balanced harmonics during her execution of the Brouwer Sonata. Too many guitarists throw away poorly balanced harmonics carelessly. Even some of the best artists have done this so this shows a very sensitive touch on her part and I heavily applaud this portion of her technical arsenal. By the way the song was gently sung in an innocent voice whisked with the air of a floating cloud.She earlier made a comment about her being a woman and how women Guitarists were too often perceived as "Delicate" performers, Zaira showed us that she has it "ALL"- suave and gentle delicacy and a brute force volcano when the music calls for it!
Next up on the concert stage was one of the truly awe inspiring legendary Guitar Monsters of all times- ANTONIO CARLOS BARBOSA-LIMA! I have known Carlos since I believe 1968 when he gave his New York Debut presented by the Brazilian Embassy. I remember it as though it was yesterday because that debut had several repercussions for a great guitarist JOHN VARNER. John had just given his New York debut concert at Carnegie Recital Hall and got a glowing review in The New York Times. John was going to play several pieces that Carlos was playing so they -whoever the powers that be at this time heavily leaned on John to change his program so the Carlos debut would shine and John had to play some pieces that were not ready for concert platform consumption. I felt terrible for John. Carlos, of course was a Guitar Monster since he was a kid and over these several decades I have been able to hang out with him at various festivals and events and he continues to play as though he has the "MIDAS TOUCH"! His arrangements for guitar are supreme gems of outrageous ingenuity. He has so many intricate lines going on mixed with harmonics out of nowhere! Our front row just "ATE IT UP"!!! Since I have known and studied with the finest Classical and Jazz Guitarists in history, I can easily say that it is a true privilege and plum pleasing pleasure to watch Carlos spin that magic that only he can spin on our great instrument. For my money the two greatest arrangers in our Classical Guitar field is Carlos and my dear friend and colleague ROLAND DYENS. Carlos has such total command of what the instrument is capable of that he has you dropping your jaw in amazement at the ease in which he produces "Finger tongue twisters in front of you'!!!! We just look at each other, laugh in a "DID YOU SEE THAT" face and clammer for more. His selections tonight were gleamed from several gems of Latin American culture all of which are on his past few cds. Works were from Mexico,Spain and Brazil and his excellent Prenkert Guitar served him perfectly. As I mentioned earlier, watching Carlos work is and added joy as his great palette of tone produced with his right hand produces the perfectly articulated notes in balance,volume and tone that keep several lines in perfect balance.He also produces great effects of Brazilian instruments mixing Harmonics and Pizzacatos ( as in Aquarelles do Brazil ) This reminds me of the other "effects man from Brazil - LUIZ BONFA whom as a child Carlos studied with.I myself took a couple of lessons with Bonfa when he stopped by Mannys Music Store on 48h street. I suggest you jump on You Tube to experience the flawless playing of both Carlos and Luiz!
Rounding out this great night of opening concert treats was an absolutely stunning and unusual trioof Guitar,Oud and Percussion with Francisco Roldan/Guitar, Carlo Valte/ Oud and Rex Benincasa/Percussion, They weaved a wand of gently flowing mixtures of different rhythms by Lebonese composer Marcel Khalife ( Danse 1,5 & 3 ) and a composer from the Dominican Republic ( who was in the house and received an appreciative round of applause ) Rafael Landestoy ( born in 1925 !!). All three of the dances by Khalife floated on air and this trio was extremely tightly knit. The Oud player, Carlo Valte informed us that the music was for percussion and 2 Ouds so he had to arrange it for Guitar and as far as I was concerned it was perfectly realized in the fingering choices made. Let me also tell you that throughout these 3 dances by Khalife, the trios pin point accuracy was totally amazing! The tone quality on the guitar played by Francisco was perfectly realized to math the weight of the notes of the Oud played by Carlo. Of course the Oud does not have the volume of Guitar and uses a plectrum over a set of double strings but what an enjoyable cornucopia of sound and that blunt attack of the pick adds great bite to the rhythm and melodic line. I remember Francisco Roldan from over 20 years ago when we both performed on a concert series sponsored by the American Institute of the Guitar. It is here somewhere in this terrible looking front room of mine. Francisco was as perfect as can be producing extremely beautiful and solid tone all evening and I was amazed at how perfectly these great musicians were " pin point perfect ". The Dances popped with excitement and I am so happy my wife forced my wimpy butt out because she knows how deeply I am devoted to this instrument and know that even when I feel like crap, the Guitar switches me into YEAH YEAH MODE! Thanks Honey.
This year I attend the seminar just as an auditor since I did not know what kind of shape I would be in. I have suspended my "Music Under New York" gigs as this is my 17th year of non stop performing in public events and I really deserve to give myself a rest. I am eagerly looking forward to the next 5 days of forums as my days of performing may be only 30 years to go or so! Here I am at 63 performing like a young 18 year old. I have been checking out recordings of concerts I did in and around the City and I took things at warp speed sometimes and still have the same chops ( even better ). This seminar will fill in the blanks I have in efficient job management in the current computer age of marketing so that is why I am here for the next 5 days. The concerts will be cream and sugar for my management coffee. I will attend only a few masterclasses since I have grown up on masterclasses my whole life and really don't NEED anymore at this point. I may not be able to produce as much blog for the next 5 days as I did today but I will trickle down some observations as time and energy permits. Remember that at the end of each day there will be a concert to attend which means I will be getting home some time around 11pm at the earliest each night and will be getting up for some early performances so I can only do so much. It is 4:03 am and I better get my butt in for a little sleep. Gotta register at 10:30 this morning so adios partners!!! Sorry if I missed a few words in this post as my eyes are about to pop out of their sockets about now. Catch you next post!.
( Brazil ) and a mesmerizing trio of Francisco Roldan,Guitar ( Colombia ),Carlo Valte, Oud ( Philippines) and Rex Benincasa, percussion ( USA ) .Zaira Meneses ( who is the wife of legendary Eliot Fisk ) started off the evening by playing 3 pieces in the style of Weiss by Mexican composer Manuel M.Ponce. Attired in a beautiful aqua blue gown she seemed to be just a little cautious in the 3 movements but exhibited an interesting interpretational slant to the movements.I know this from the early days of my introduction to Maestro Segovia's recording. Zaira's insight was an interesting change of phrasing. Her instrument was a Cedar topped guitar which pretty well gave her what she wanted. I had to laugh a little inside as she pulled us into a false sense of quiet and tameness with the Prelude and Balleto then "unleashed the hounds for the Giga. There was an unbridled ferociousness that a couple of times almost got away from her but she reined it in. Her second choice was the devilish 3 movement Sonata of Cuban Virtuoso guitarist/composer LEO BROUWER! Zaira's interpretation of these 3 movements was "Out of this World" and was the finest performance I have heard bar none! It ranks up there with Julian Bream's recording. Pin point accuracy in note articulation was the order of the day! I really,really,really enjoyed her flawless execution and musicality! I am excited even now as I write up this post.Being in the front row center, I watched her dissect the fingerboard with the accuracy of a surgeon! It was a glowing performance that made the audience wild. I have heard Zaira several times over the last several years and her performance of Brouwer's Sonata "rocked my world ". It had a bite that reminded me of the ferocious attack of her husband Eliot Fisk! WHEW!! She informed us that her choice of the Sonata was due to the fact that her mother is Cuban. She offered one encore- A Spanish/Mexican song that spoke of the strength of womanhood which opened with an accompaniment of harmonics. I bring up the execution of harmonics because she played the best balanced harmonics during her execution of the Brouwer Sonata. Too many guitarists throw away poorly balanced harmonics carelessly. Even some of the best artists have done this so this shows a very sensitive touch on her part and I heavily applaud this portion of her technical arsenal. By the way the song was gently sung in an innocent voice whisked with the air of a floating cloud.She earlier made a comment about her being a woman and how women Guitarists were too often perceived as "Delicate" performers, Zaira showed us that she has it "ALL"- suave and gentle delicacy and a brute force volcano when the music calls for it!
Next up on the concert stage was one of the truly awe inspiring legendary Guitar Monsters of all times- ANTONIO CARLOS BARBOSA-LIMA! I have known Carlos since I believe 1968 when he gave his New York Debut presented by the Brazilian Embassy. I remember it as though it was yesterday because that debut had several repercussions for a great guitarist JOHN VARNER. John had just given his New York debut concert at Carnegie Recital Hall and got a glowing review in The New York Times. John was going to play several pieces that Carlos was playing so they -whoever the powers that be at this time heavily leaned on John to change his program so the Carlos debut would shine and John had to play some pieces that were not ready for concert platform consumption. I felt terrible for John. Carlos, of course was a Guitar Monster since he was a kid and over these several decades I have been able to hang out with him at various festivals and events and he continues to play as though he has the "MIDAS TOUCH"! His arrangements for guitar are supreme gems of outrageous ingenuity. He has so many intricate lines going on mixed with harmonics out of nowhere! Our front row just "ATE IT UP"!!! Since I have known and studied with the finest Classical and Jazz Guitarists in history, I can easily say that it is a true privilege and plum pleasing pleasure to watch Carlos spin that magic that only he can spin on our great instrument. For my money the two greatest arrangers in our Classical Guitar field is Carlos and my dear friend and colleague ROLAND DYENS. Carlos has such total command of what the instrument is capable of that he has you dropping your jaw in amazement at the ease in which he produces "Finger tongue twisters in front of you'!!!! We just look at each other, laugh in a "DID YOU SEE THAT" face and clammer for more. His selections tonight were gleamed from several gems of Latin American culture all of which are on his past few cds. Works were from Mexico,Spain and Brazil and his excellent Prenkert Guitar served him perfectly. As I mentioned earlier, watching Carlos work is and added joy as his great palette of tone produced with his right hand produces the perfectly articulated notes in balance,volume and tone that keep several lines in perfect balance.He also produces great effects of Brazilian instruments mixing Harmonics and Pizzacatos ( as in Aquarelles do Brazil ) This reminds me of the other "effects man from Brazil - LUIZ BONFA whom as a child Carlos studied with.I myself took a couple of lessons with Bonfa when he stopped by Mannys Music Store on 48h street. I suggest you jump on You Tube to experience the flawless playing of both Carlos and Luiz!
Rounding out this great night of opening concert treats was an absolutely stunning and unusual trioof Guitar,Oud and Percussion with Francisco Roldan/Guitar, Carlo Valte/ Oud and Rex Benincasa/Percussion, They weaved a wand of gently flowing mixtures of different rhythms by Lebonese composer Marcel Khalife ( Danse 1,5 & 3 ) and a composer from the Dominican Republic ( who was in the house and received an appreciative round of applause ) Rafael Landestoy ( born in 1925 !!). All three of the dances by Khalife floated on air and this trio was extremely tightly knit. The Oud player, Carlo Valte informed us that the music was for percussion and 2 Ouds so he had to arrange it for Guitar and as far as I was concerned it was perfectly realized in the fingering choices made. Let me also tell you that throughout these 3 dances by Khalife, the trios pin point accuracy was totally amazing! The tone quality on the guitar played by Francisco was perfectly realized to math the weight of the notes of the Oud played by Carlo. Of course the Oud does not have the volume of Guitar and uses a plectrum over a set of double strings but what an enjoyable cornucopia of sound and that blunt attack of the pick adds great bite to the rhythm and melodic line. I remember Francisco Roldan from over 20 years ago when we both performed on a concert series sponsored by the American Institute of the Guitar. It is here somewhere in this terrible looking front room of mine. Francisco was as perfect as can be producing extremely beautiful and solid tone all evening and I was amazed at how perfectly these great musicians were " pin point perfect ". The Dances popped with excitement and I am so happy my wife forced my wimpy butt out because she knows how deeply I am devoted to this instrument and know that even when I feel like crap, the Guitar switches me into YEAH YEAH MODE! Thanks Honey.
This year I attend the seminar just as an auditor since I did not know what kind of shape I would be in. I have suspended my "Music Under New York" gigs as this is my 17th year of non stop performing in public events and I really deserve to give myself a rest. I am eagerly looking forward to the next 5 days of forums as my days of performing may be only 30 years to go or so! Here I am at 63 performing like a young 18 year old. I have been checking out recordings of concerts I did in and around the City and I took things at warp speed sometimes and still have the same chops ( even better ). This seminar will fill in the blanks I have in efficient job management in the current computer age of marketing so that is why I am here for the next 5 days. The concerts will be cream and sugar for my management coffee. I will attend only a few masterclasses since I have grown up on masterclasses my whole life and really don't NEED anymore at this point. I may not be able to produce as much blog for the next 5 days as I did today but I will trickle down some observations as time and energy permits. Remember that at the end of each day there will be a concert to attend which means I will be getting home some time around 11pm at the earliest each night and will be getting up for some early performances so I can only do so much. It is 4:03 am and I better get my butt in for a little sleep. Gotta register at 10:30 this morning so adios partners!!! Sorry if I missed a few words in this post as my eyes are about to pop out of their sockets about now. Catch you next post!.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Mannes 2013 Guitar Seminar-"BE A PLAYER"
(WWW.MANNESGUITAR.COM)
Tonight is the opening concert for this year's MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR which will be held at the The Americas Society-680 Park Avenue at 7pm. As usual Festival Director Mariano Aguirre, has kept us well informed over the last several months leading up to this week's festivities.
The central focus of this year's seminar is getting and creating job situations in this modern age of marketing.Artistic Directors Laura Oltman and Michael Newman, have once again assembled a group of great artists for this year's Master Classes,Concerts and workshops all of which are opened to the public.
Tomorrow morning ( Wednesday 10:30 - 12:00 ) is registration and from 1:30 to 4:00 each day is master class time with several outstanding artists instructing students on the details of musical performance.
Sprinkled at various times-usually just before dinner break,are forums on various aspects of making a living with this glorious instrument. Using tools of today's multifaceted computer techniques, our forums will supply us with the tools we need to get and create jobs for ourselves.I have spoken to several young players over the decades who have it all together artistically but fail in the marketing department because they are on their own unless they begin to make associations while in school. Since I am not on the College scene, I have heard that there have been some attempts to rectify that situation and I hope it is true because it is really
incredibly tough out here for young artists in this current society. This year's seminar should go a long way in preparing these kids for the big hustle of real life on the concert platform!
I will be an auditor this year as my health is not really up to my usual jumping around ,but I do hope that readers of this site will be encouraged to attend this great event starting with tonight's concert. Tonight's Concert is the only "Off Site" location during the Seminar.Starting tomorrow, all forums,Master Classes and concerts will be held on site at Mannes College ( 150 West 85th street ) through Sunday, July 14th. For details on the seminar, go to the Mannes Website:
WWW.MANNESGUITAR.COM.
I can't promise you a detailed daily report but will try to leak some tidbits to you as my strength will allow.
Tonight is the opening concert for this year's MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR which will be held at the The Americas Society-680 Park Avenue at 7pm. As usual Festival Director Mariano Aguirre, has kept us well informed over the last several months leading up to this week's festivities.
The central focus of this year's seminar is getting and creating job situations in this modern age of marketing.Artistic Directors Laura Oltman and Michael Newman, have once again assembled a group of great artists for this year's Master Classes,Concerts and workshops all of which are opened to the public.
Tomorrow morning ( Wednesday 10:30 - 12:00 ) is registration and from 1:30 to 4:00 each day is master class time with several outstanding artists instructing students on the details of musical performance.
Sprinkled at various times-usually just before dinner break,are forums on various aspects of making a living with this glorious instrument. Using tools of today's multifaceted computer techniques, our forums will supply us with the tools we need to get and create jobs for ourselves.I have spoken to several young players over the decades who have it all together artistically but fail in the marketing department because they are on their own unless they begin to make associations while in school. Since I am not on the College scene, I have heard that there have been some attempts to rectify that situation and I hope it is true because it is really
incredibly tough out here for young artists in this current society. This year's seminar should go a long way in preparing these kids for the big hustle of real life on the concert platform!
I will be an auditor this year as my health is not really up to my usual jumping around ,but I do hope that readers of this site will be encouraged to attend this great event starting with tonight's concert. Tonight's Concert is the only "Off Site" location during the Seminar.Starting tomorrow, all forums,Master Classes and concerts will be held on site at Mannes College ( 150 West 85th street ) through Sunday, July 14th. For details on the seminar, go to the Mannes Website:
WWW.MANNESGUITAR.COM.
I can't promise you a detailed daily report but will try to leak some tidbits to you as my strength will allow.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIAN BREAM!!!!!
The magnificent JULIAN BREAM celebrates his 80th birthday this month and I am such a completely devoted fan of this legendary artist! Since my early days on the New York Classical Guitar scenes (1962/3), I have tried to get to every concert he had given in the New York City concert halls.This month's issue of Classical Guitar Magazine has Graham Wade give us a fast overview of the accomplishments of "BREAM the SUPREME" on pages 30-33. When Bream was last here in New York, he gave a two day master class and of course, I was there to catch his pearls of wisdom.
I miss the magic spell of a Julian Bream Concert. He really produced an incredible variety of Classical Guitar colors each and every performance.Over thirty years ago I was seated in the front Balcony of Town Hall when he played a most incredible concert which featured Giuliani's Rosiniani #1. After his performance he mentioned that there were 5 more composed at which point I shouted from my seat "WE'RE WAITING"! He blushed a little and smiled. I later met him on stage and confessed that I was a fan and it was I from the balcony. I remember how impressed and moved I was by his performance of one of the Lute Suites and told him so. He replied that " It is a LUTE suite"! He mentioned that quip because I stated that he made the Guitar sound like a Lute somehow. Just before ROSE AUGUSTINE passed away, I spent a couple of hours with her at her factory playing and talking Guitar. Rose and I have known each other since the late 60s and she had asked me how I think she should approach Bream to get her 1940 Hauser Back from Bream ( She loaned it to Bream-It is the instrument housed at the Metropolitan Museum, made for Segovia but bought by her husband ALBERT AUGUSTINE). I told her call Bream and ask for it back!
I love the colors Bream would produce from any instrument he performed on! That magical right hand traveled from 12 fret to bridge in search of every possible color nuance to bring depth and breath to each composition. He was famous for the "Mid sound hole stroke and various degrees of Ponticello at the bridge!! His coloring and attack was always searching for just the most ambitious note articulation! Will we ever the this kind of magic again in the Classical Guitar World???
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JULIAN AND MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE! CAN I STOP BY AND HAVE LUNCH WITH YOU SOME DAY?
Your Most Devoted Fan,
Don Witter,Jr.
P.S. I was the young African American man at your Manhattan Music School two day Masterclass in New York. I also mentioned to you that Jeffrey Elliott and Cindy passed on their hello.
Note: Bream toured for a year with a magnificent Jeffrey Elliot instrument. Bream and I both met Jeffrey in 1975. More on that in another post!
I miss the magic spell of a Julian Bream Concert. He really produced an incredible variety of Classical Guitar colors each and every performance.Over thirty years ago I was seated in the front Balcony of Town Hall when he played a most incredible concert which featured Giuliani's Rosiniani #1. After his performance he mentioned that there were 5 more composed at which point I shouted from my seat "WE'RE WAITING"! He blushed a little and smiled. I later met him on stage and confessed that I was a fan and it was I from the balcony. I remember how impressed and moved I was by his performance of one of the Lute Suites and told him so. He replied that " It is a LUTE suite"! He mentioned that quip because I stated that he made the Guitar sound like a Lute somehow. Just before ROSE AUGUSTINE passed away, I spent a couple of hours with her at her factory playing and talking Guitar. Rose and I have known each other since the late 60s and she had asked me how I think she should approach Bream to get her 1940 Hauser Back from Bream ( She loaned it to Bream-It is the instrument housed at the Metropolitan Museum, made for Segovia but bought by her husband ALBERT AUGUSTINE). I told her call Bream and ask for it back!
I love the colors Bream would produce from any instrument he performed on! That magical right hand traveled from 12 fret to bridge in search of every possible color nuance to bring depth and breath to each composition. He was famous for the "Mid sound hole stroke and various degrees of Ponticello at the bridge!! His coloring and attack was always searching for just the most ambitious note articulation! Will we ever the this kind of magic again in the Classical Guitar World???
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JULIAN AND MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE! CAN I STOP BY AND HAVE LUNCH WITH YOU SOME DAY?
Your Most Devoted Fan,
Don Witter,Jr.
P.S. I was the young African American man at your Manhattan Music School two day Masterclass in New York. I also mentioned to you that Jeffrey Elliott and Cindy passed on their hello.
Note: Bream toured for a year with a magnificent Jeffrey Elliot instrument. Bream and I both met Jeffrey in 1975. More on that in another post!
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