tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74212159793488483142024-02-20T13:08:33.118-08:00EVERYTHING GUITAR BY "DON WITTER JR."I just turned 62 and am still crazy about the guitar and its' players.I try to get to as many concerts and
workshops and spend a ton of time on You Tube catching those who I read about so I can know who is on the grid! Hope to give you some juicy tidbits here!donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-72943476503719989282015-01-25T16:48:00.000-08:002015-01-25T16:48:40.541-08:00Classical Guitar Magazine - End of an era !Last month, December 2014 was the last England based copy of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE.This fabulous magazine has been my monthly companion since its initial issue in the 80s and ended with a smiling face of the legendary JULIAN BREAM on its cover ( which is the way it started ). I really miss MAESTRO BREAM and His fantastic performances! WHAT A MUSICAL TREASURE!! I will be holding my breath as the now U.S. based publication will have a monster task to live up to the excellence soundly established by the magical wand and hard work of my dear friend MAURICE SUMMERFIELD and his great staff of gifted contributors! I can only hope that however the publishing pie is divided, we will continue to enjoy an up to date and varied world of our great instrument. I hear we will now only be seeing a quarterly publication! There is far too much going on in the Classical Guitar world to be stifled by such brevity ( in my opinion ), but then it remains to be seen.<br />
As we await the arrival here in New York of "The Snow Storm of the Century", instead of gigging for 4 hours at the Staten Island Ferry, I may be snowbound hoping that we get off less severely. On top of this "Monster Storm', there has been scaffolding on the front of my apartment building for several months now and I am hoping we will be all right because this computer and my great books are right here in this front room!!!<br />
Hopefully all will be well and this may be exactly what I needed to come back to Internet life! Stay tuned kiddies for the adventures of DONNIE GUITAR!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY DEAR FRIENDS AROUND THE GLOBE and thanks for being a part of my life!! A BIG HUG TO YOU ALL!donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-37591834073695550842014-08-21T15:38:00.001-07:002014-08-21T15:38:23.458-07:00Howdie - I needed a rest.I have been on the New York music scene since 1955 and have not given myself any real time off to concentrate on my own development so decided over the last couple of years decided to pull out of the scene with the exception of my Music under New York gigs and concerts in the Library System. I even passed up my attendance at the Mannes Guitar Seminar this summer. I received no messages wondering where I was so I guess I was not missed at all. I have also not rejoined the New York Classical Guitar Society since I am moving in other Guitar directions these days. I am having a fine time learning all sorts of Guitar styles and am very pleased by my progress. I would love to publicly thank SUE WALL and DENNIS KOSTER for remembering my Birthday and 27th wedding anniversary. Two really classy people!!! I also give a big hug out to the great DAVID LEISNER for bringing only the best to the Guitar community with his cutting edge concerts. One night a while back I was on my way into the city and bumped into David and his partner Ralph as they came out of the train and found out that he was performing at the BARGEMUSIC Concert hall in Dumbo! I immediately told him I would be there and it was another great evening from the hands and mind of one of the greatest musicians in History-DAVID LEISNER. As I have mentioned many times before, David is a caring and loving human being whose Bright and shining smile just radiates so much sunshine. He and I continue to go for the "SHIRT OF THE YEAR AWARD". I must also publicly thank my friend over in England - The wonderful MAURICE SUMMERFIELD of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE for his continued great coverage of the Classical Guitar World events in that glowing periodical. I look forward every month to those Classical Guitar pages of joy! I have been collecting my writings,reviews in an effort to start posting them here on my blog. I am once again starting to look into working on my website as I have sinfully ignored it for so long. I have stopped going to every Guitar event in the City. I have spent a ton of money staying on top of both the Classical Guitar World and Jazz Guitar world here in the city. I used to hang like a fly on the wall at Luthier Music Corp for decades! I have been to so many masterclasses - and not only Classical Guitar but Jazz,Piano,Voice Violin! There is so much music in our lives and thanks to the Internet and YOUTUBE we can touch the legendary performers of the past. I have spent many hours with my iPhone in bed checking out masterclasses and performances while my dear wife is sound asleep! Even though I am in my 65 year of life here on earth, I am still GUITAR CRAZY!!!! My playing is getting so damn good I can't stand myself. I listen to old performances of mine from a couple of decades ago and am so proud of what I did then and how I continue to progress even now! I am like a kid in the candy store with every bit of musical knowledge I acquire!!! Well let me take a break now and hopefully get my butt back on this blog. I have a meaty list of posts for you guys and gals!<br />
Before signing off let me shout out to a couple of my favorite Female Guitar Magicians: PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMAN in Germany and the Fabulous GOHAR VARDANYAN. I will be covering these two gifted and supremely talented artists in my next couple of posts. ALSO the PERUVIAN GUITAR HERCULES: JORGE ,the GREAT CABALLERO!!!! JORGE IS IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF!!!! After you hear him, your head will snap back and fall off - he is so damn great! Even our greats concedes that this is a once in a lifetime musical wonder and we are so lucky to have him in our Classical Guitar Community. I have been eating up his YouTube videos like a rabid dog. When I want to be proud of my instrument, I put on one of JORGE'S Videos to show myself what can be done on this wooden box with six strings! W H E W !!!!!!!! As John Shaeffer once said. " If you have something no one else can play, give it to Jorge"! JORGE is already legendary and I hope he stays around for a long time. THANKS JORGE FOR YOUR BEING HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY!!! I Also must tell you to check out Jorge's recently added videos on "Technique". So profound is this GENIUS!!!! If he ever puts out a book on the Guitar, I will be the 1st on line to gobble it up!! By the way before I really leave you, see if you can pick up that fantastic book on technique by one of my former teachers: HUBERT KAPPELL. My wife and I were in Germany a few months ago and I was knocked out by this massive book on Guitar Technique! More on that in an upcoming post! SEE YA LATER!!!!!donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-86447106909260214032014-05-02T01:44:00.001-07:002014-05-02T01:44:02.957-07:00Time Flys- Waiting for GOHAR- RON CARTER - SHARON ISBIN iI celebrated my 64th birthday last month April 6th and am living in my 65 year and as I told you before, I have withdrawn from appearances all over the city at the musical gems. I must admit that I was at the Segovia 120 celebration last year and attended the big birthday bash of the great BUCKEY PIZZARELLI! I had to attend the concert at Symphony Space of minimalist Guitar Composers led by my dear buddy DAVID LEISNER. It is 2:49 Friday morning and I have an 8am curtain call at TIMES SQUARE. Yesterday I performed at a Library in the Bronx from 5pm to 6:15. These days I am concentrating on become great in my own manner. I am playing better then ever and still having a ball performing around the city as part of MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK. I daily bring Guitar music to the masses and feel totally committed to this. Tonight we have the great DENIS AZABAGIC performing sponsored by the New York Classical Guitar Society. There is a trio of legendary Jazz Guitarists "East meets West" just around the block from the Blue Note Jazz Spot. I know all three : GENE BERTONCINI , PAUL MYERS and from Portland Oregon the fabulous JOHN STOWELL . Gene and I share the same Birth Date: APRIL 6th ! As you see there is so much going on in this city C R A Z Y !!!!<br />
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GOHAR VARDANYAN ROCKS!!!!<br />
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Before I continue with my Donnie stream of thought writing, I must hope that those of you into the great world of the Classical Guitar pick up a copy of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE this month as one of the truly great young artists : GOHAR VARDANYAN shares the cover. I don't remember ever seeing the cover of this great magazine split with two pictures.I wonder why but I guess I will find out. I usually get my copy on the last day of the month before the dated issue. I already e-mailed GOHAR when I saw she was being "covered". She is a great artist and works extremely hard at her craft and I am so proud of her. Whoever is managing her is doing a fantastic job. I promised here that my return to my blog would highlight her. She has her talented hands in so many things at once and is all over the place performing. W O W !!!! Keep it up my dear colleague and friend!!!!!!!! Y O U R O C K !!!!<br />
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RON CARTER BASS MAN<br />
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I have been diving into that great well of knowledge on the Internet and the last couple of nights I have been listening to Legendary Bassist RON CARTER talk about the aspects of making a living with his instrument. I was a fortunate performer several times at the STUDIO MUSEUM in HARLEM and on one occasion Maestro Carter attended a special anniversary of the Museum as I played during the meal and I was told he gazed at me several times during the evening. Listening to how he started as a cellist nut fell in love with the bass and felt he had a better chance at gigs. Even though he was better than most, he was told at the time he was trying to be a Classical Upright bass player the nasty prejudice in the Classical World held him back. I supremely hope that you folks jump on the YOUTUBE and catch the words of this man of high integrity. I have fallen in love with his deep well of truth in his life. I have taken some notes but am in awe of what he has accomplished. I can tell you that as an African American myself, prejudice continues to strike me in the face at age 64. I'll never forget the times people have said to me "ARE YOU ANY GOOD" ! They didn't even hear me play one damn note but figured since I am Black, I can't possibly be any good. When they heard me they turned red with embarrassment and walked away with their prejudiced tails between their legs. I do hope that the December 2nd 2012 GFA REGIONAL incident was not prompted by that fact as I am still smarting from that. I feel I have spent my life on the Classical and Jazz Guitar scene here in New York as a player and supporter and earned that spot on the evening concert with an excellent audition. Let me stop here because I am getting sad again as I write about this but I am playing Classical and Latin American and Jazz on solo Classical Guitar. I still get people who assume I am a Blues Guitarist because I am black! I have studied with the best of the best in several Genres and continue to grow as a musician. I think that I have tended to be overly nice to those who looked down their noses on me without hearing that 1st note. I no longer tend to do that. I was given a special talent and at this point in my life am really working hard at sharpening my craft every single day. I love playing the Guitar for people and know that they enjoy it too! I look back on my life so far and see that there were lots of great moment in my life that I can cherish. I have been listening to some performances of mine a couple of decades ago and MAN OH MAN! I WAS SMOKING!!!! I miss my DEITER HOPF F.V.T.S. ( Free Vibrating Top System ). That Guitar kicked serious ASS!!!! I miss one of my truly great special people - ROSE AUGUSTINE!!! I loved that grand lady of our instrument and I was truly pissed at the Classical Guitar Scene who made no mention of her death for several days! I had to hear the news from ELIOT FISK at his Tully Hall Concert platform! I was with her for several hours playing and talking just a week before her passing. During our visit,she had this bad cough and said that she has been trying to shake it but it would not go away! We also spoke about her wanting to get her HAUSER back from JULIAN BREAM. I told her to get on the phone and say "JULIAN. I would like my Guitar back. I miss it!" Yes I was pissed at the silence about this great supporter of our great instrument.<br />
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SHARON ISBIN also ROCKS!!<br />
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Unfortunately I had a gig at the same time SHARON ISBIN showed her recent documentary at the Lincoln Center Library. She also made it a bit difficult to attend the special tour she did with ROMERO LUBAMBO and STANLEY JORDAN but Sharon does her own thing but we owe her a great debt of gratitude for several decades of pushing the Guitar to new heights!! From New Concertos to mixing with other guitar genres, to showing you how to promote yourself she is the master. I know some of you remember how I criticized her for not carrying her guitar sound past the footlights but she took care of that with her personal amplification system she helped develop! I also mentioned how in my opinion she gave the greatest performance of the CONCERTO DE ARANJUEZ I ever heard in my life. Recently I did mention how I felt she blew her appearance in THE DEPARTED out of proportion because it won the Academy Award. I watched that film several times and the music was so "Nothing" and its' importance in the film was less than minimal. There were several guitarists in the musical score and the thematic material was really weak but she did play a couple of lines. I can put myself in this position because I have known Sharon since 1975 when she won the TORONTO GUITAR FESTIVAL. I took the week long masterclasses with LEO BROUWER when she came in to perform the lovely composition he composed for her. This was when Sharon was on the chubby side but she kicked serious Guitar Butt way back then! That is the year Eliot Fisk was there and Manuel Barrueco was the first competitor. It was a though it was yesterday for me. Manuel had just made his New York Debut and when he walked out on stage I said "WHO IS GOING TO TAKE SECOND BECAUSE MANUEL CAN"T BE BEAT"!!. He walked out in a plaid pattern shirt and casual pants and ripped that guitar to death! I didn't go to the finals because I knew there was no way he could be bested! Well I heard that Sharon won and the placing was booed and made Sharon cry. Someone told me that the only reason why he lost was that he did not dress in a suit or tux. I remember seeing him out on the benches relaxing during the day. Any way SHARON YOU ARE SUPREMELY ADMIRED BY THIS GUY AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR INSTRUMENT! I know you have some more surprises for us so go to it!!! By the way, when will you release those great GUITAR STREAM CONCERTS? I was also at the trio concert you gave with my dear teacher and friend LAURINDO ALMEIDA and LARRY CORYELL!!<br />
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Damn it is 4:27 and I am still here. I have a bucket load of thoughts to share with you. I want to thank SUE WALL and DENIS KOSTER for my birthday card and GOHAR VARDANYAN for wishing me on facebook. THAT was a great treat. There are a few other birthday wishes I received.Thanks to you all.<br />
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<br />donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-1134809898108760332014-03-05T22:24:00.000-08:002014-03-05T22:24:03.175-08:00Jim Hall, Pete Seeger, Paco de Lucia! Since my last post, I have been hit hard by the passing of my mentors! JIM HALL passed away and left me heartbroken big time! I have been dragging my heart around low to the ground these past few months as he has been close to my heart since the 60's. We remained in contact up to his passing. He was a brilliant human being and one of the finest musicians in history. Just as I was starting to climb out of my deep,deep depression I lost another of my mentors - PETE SEEGER! I was on the Greenwich Village scene in the 60's first as a solo singer guitarist of songs by our cream of the crop: Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Buffy Saint Marie, Peter Paul and Mary and the whole gang. Visited the Folk Center on West 4th and 6th avenue and the Guitar Luthiers ROW ( DAVID RUBIO,TOM HUMPHREY, TOM HOM,MICHAEL GURIAN and a few others on a couple of blocks off 6th avenue known as CARMINE STREET! I wish I could revisit those times in the 60's,70's. I was young and dumb and also attended that 1st Central Park Protest against the Viet Nam War. WHEW! On top of loosing Pete now comes the news of the passing of our creative Flamenco Genius PACO DE LUCIA!!!!! I must remember that next month I will be 64 so should expect many people I know to pass away. It is just a mean task to experience so many leaving me and us! One positive thing is that I have returned to the blog in an effort to share the many guitar experiences I have been gifted with over my life time.<br />
With fund raising happening on the Public Broadcasting Channels of 13 and 21, the fabulous and angelic voice of JUDY COLLINS brought back a treasured visit by her in which she heard me playing for my mother in a hospital and said " I could use a Musician like you in my Show". She was visiting a sick member of her show a few beds over from my mothers bed. I caught a slight glance of her and said to myself " That lady looks like JUDY COLLINS!!' I then followed that up by " NAW. What would she be doing here." After about a 15 minute period, she came over and tapped me on my shoulder. I turned around and immediately shouted "JUDY COLLINS"!!!! WOW'. Unfortunately I did not follow her up on her offer but was thankful that she thought so much of my talent. Of course we just lost PACO and that man brought the Beautiful world of FLAMENCO to the front of the line. As this is my real return to my blog, I am going to cut it short for now as so many thoughts and undelivered posts are queued . I have not been on the scene as I have for these several decades owing in great amount to that 2012 December incident at the GFA Regional. All I can say is that my playing has jumped onward to the heavens as I continue to play around New York in my 18th year as a member of the MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK program sponsored by the New York City Transit authority. I continue to grow immensely as an artist and will bring the art of the solo Classical and Jazz Guitar to every day folks underground and above ground.There have been some great concerts over the last few months that I will report on and am anxious to do so. I have also been involved in some special events recently which I will share with you.I have been a part of a huge exhibit at the NEW MUSEUM 232 Bowery and that will be detailed in my next post.<br />
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MAURICE SUMMERFIELD - MY MAN<br />
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I am hugging MAURICE SUMMERFIELD of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE for all he has done in our field. He continues to garner every sort of accolade for his fantastic work in our field. I am honored to be able to count him as one of my dear friends although a "Little Pond" separates us from hanging out! Every month I cherish the pages of his magazine and just scratch my head in an effort to find out how he gets so much accomplished. I could use some of his blood!! I live on that great magazine and depend on all that luscious information that keeps me "In the know" about the many things happening in our great Guitar World. I wanted to surprise my friend at the GFA last year but as I was about to book, I read somewhere that the special award he was to receive was being deleted from the program!!! Since the GFA was about a week away from the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR, I decided to not attend. I was also going to surprise a few friends who were performing at the GFA. This was one of those times when I could "Kick myself in my Butt" because that information was wrong . ANYWAY, MAURICE- I love you and all you have done for us. YOU ARE DYNAMITE And you deserve each and every accolade you have received! I don't know how you do it but I love that twinkle you have in your eyes which reveal the great love you have for your craft. I can never stop enjoying our special bond and let me know when you visit the big apple so I can take you out for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Your work has left an incredible mark on our world. THANK YOU MY DEAR BUDDY!!! By your being here on earth, you have given us a bounty of great things and enduring love for all you have produced.<br />
<br />donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-90833246338226162722014-02-01T16:00:00.002-08:002014-02-01T16:00:23.993-08:00The Donnie Doors are open for business - FINALLY After posting the GFA incident of 2012, I feel a big weight has been lifted off my heart. Somehow I feel ready to resume my life by posting all of the blogs all lined up for me. I would publicly love to thank MAURICE SUMMERFIELD for that great magazine I receive every month CLASSICAL GUITAR and his online "FRETSONLY". This months Issue features the phenomenal virtuoso Guitarist/Composer/Teacher and dear friend DAVID LEISNER. Last month had another dear friend DAVID RUSSELL as main interview. Both of these great artists will be part of my "DONNIE AND series" . I have studied with them both. LUCKY ME!!!<br />
I will be turning 64 in April. This year marks the 18th year I have been an active member/performer in the "MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK" program sponsored by the New York City TRANSIT Authority and I am proud to spread the word of the Solo Classical/Jazz/Latin guitar to the regular masses of people around the City. I look back at this desire to reach people with the magic of the Guitar even after my quadruple bypass on March 22nd 2011!!! I was out giving a concert in Times Square in June of that year as part of<br />
"The Taste of Times Square" that is how passionate I am about our great instrument!!!<br />
I have been listening to some of my recorded concerts from decades ago and I must pat myself on the back for some outrageously fast playing!! I don't feel like 63 or soon to be 64 because I have improved tremendously over the decades as I am trying to play "CATCH UP" for all the years I have been too passive in the learning process. Because I have been given this talent, I have taken it for granted and not worked hard for several decades. I have been forcing myself to burn that midnight oil since I have no idea how much longer I will be on mother earth. When you get to my age, people start passing away like crazy and I knew PETE SEEGER from even a few years ago when he gave a concert at the GRAYBAR BUILIDING when I had a gig in the walkway. A cook from the CLEARWATER was a friend of mine in high school and we are still friends after all of these decades! Of course Pete led us in the Village folk scene along with Dylan,Paxton,Ochs,Peter Paul and Mary and so many of the 60's folk scene. I just knew I loved to sing Ballads from the BURL IVES FOLK SONG BOOK! Actor Singer Theodor Bikel was one of my favorites. Joan Baez,Judy Collins ( I met her when I was singing at the bedside of my mother at a hospital in the Bronx. One of the members of Judy's group was in for something. I saw from the corner of my eye someone who looked like Judy Collins go over to a bed. About 10 minutes later while I was playing for my mother I got a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, saw her pretty face and exclaimed "JUDY COLLINS". She told me she enjoyed my playing and that I would be a welcome member of her group if I wanted"! How dumb was I.Young and dumb and flustered.) I would love to be transported back to the 60s again and in a way with the celebration of the Beatles upon us right now, that longing is there.With Pete passing away I have been playing Where have all the flowers GONE and We SHALL overcome a my gigs around the city and will start playing several arrangements and improvisations on the songs I sang and grew up with from the 60's and 70's. Gotta get some Heidi grub before some more posts!donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-17793281818318586102014-02-01T15:14:00.001-08:002014-02-01T15:14:44.612-08:00JIM HALL - MY mentor and dear fried-I miss you so much!!My dear friend and legendary Jazz Guitarist JIM HALL passed away December 10th 2013. I found out late afternoon Friday December 13th and called his wife at 5:25 pm to offer my condolences and cried profusely while I spoke to her. I have been honored to know Jim Hall since I was a teenager in the 60's. I had only one long lesson with him at his apartment in the Village and he loved my playing. Over the decades we have remained in contact by my showing up at his gigs and with phone calls and letters. I was at his last public performance at the Rose Room in Lincoln Center. I phone him and told him I would be there. I had the best seat in the house as I watched and experienced this genius of our instrument work with two generations of his students : JOHN ABERCROMBIE and PETER BERNSTEIN. I have been crying every day I think of JIM! I am even in tears as I write this post. JIM is so deep in my heart because of his great humanity and searching inquisitiveness.I was at the New School when his Documentary "A LIFE IN PROGRESS" was aired. There was a tribute a couple of years ago by an incredible lineup of the great young guitarists based here in New York and I got a standing room position. Jim was too ill to attend and sent his regards. I have so much of JIMS work on cd and video including his wonderful 3 volumes of masterclasses. His trio video with Wayne Shorter and Michel Petruciani is another GEM. You should all get a copy of his wonderful and only book on Jazz Guitar Improvisation coupled with a video of the name:<br />
Jim was also an incredible arranger always attuned to interesting instrumental combinations. There are several great videos of him on you tube that you should watch especially the Library of Congress interview which lasts about an hour!! I believe his LIFE IN PROGRESS video is also on you tube. More on Jim and Me in a series I will be posting entitled " DONNIE AND ......" . This will be a series of all my dear friends in my musical life who are so well known and appreciated by me.At that last public performance, I hugged Jim as he sat in that wheelchair and told him " Told you I would be here". I then kissed him on his right cheek Something inside told me that this would be our last time together. I needed to let him know how much I loved him and what he meant to me. In my JIM HALL and DONNIE post , I will share how I first met JIM and some beautiful moments I have been privileged to share with him over these decades.donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-39862168225733798502014-02-01T14:20:00.004-08:002014-02-01T14:20:52.531-08:00Why I have been absent for so long- HARRIS BECKER On December 2nd 2012, The GFA held a Regional Guitar Symposium here in New York and as part of the Festivities, Attendees were given the opportunity to audition for a spot on the evening concert. I am a professional Free lance Guitarist who has been on the New York City Concert scene since the early 60s being a member of the original New York City Classical Guitar Society. I played several concerts produced by the Society and other concert series including the series in the 80/s sponsored by the American Institute of the Guitar. My playing now is even more sharp than in my 20's as I have studied with the best in my craft. For the audition I performed a medley of works by LUIZ BONFA whom I studied with in the early 70's when he visited New York at Mannys Music on 48th Street. I have been playing these Bonfa pieces for over 40 years now and needless to say I can play these even if I were not alive!!! THAT IS HOW SOLID THEY ARE!!! On top of this, I perform at least 5 days a week in public venues around the city as part of MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK. This is my 18th year as part of the organization. I have been performing in public since 1955 as a concert pianist. I am my toughest critic and my audition for this concert spot was flawless. The other " judge" was Gerry Saulter. A couple of years ago I was involved with an exceptional Guitarist in trying to get my colleague a couple of concerts here in New York and HARRIS BECKER promised another concert for my colleague as my friend "Floored everyone" with an exceptional performance. That "Promise" was never followed up on. In fact Mr. Becker ignored several phone calls and emails from my friend so I asked Becker myself for him to be respectful of my colleagues' requests for an answer. I believe that my exclusion from the GFA REGIONAL Evening concert was a form of "PAYBACK" for trying to request HARRIS BECKER to do the right thing. Somehow the other judge GERRY SAULTER was persuaded to knock me out of the concert by Becker. When Martha Masters read the "Final List" of those selected, I was sure my name would be read last and when it was not, I immediately retreated to the men's room and vomited for several minutes. I was so destroyed that I could not attend the rest of the regional. I have spent my life supporting the Guitar Scene here in New York by attending concerts and lectures and master classes by my colleagues even when I had gigs I came from. I felt as though HARRIS BECKER reached into my chest and and pulled my heart out and stomped on it!!!!! I have not been the same since that December 2nd 2012 incident. I even read an article praising Mr. Becker on the excellence of his Long Island Guitar Festival and how wonderful he is. I have been to several of the Long Island Festivals and have even spoken with praise to his face. That is not in question here. He is a concert artist himself so is aware of all the things that are related to a concert tour and must know that arrangements have to be made with all sorts of details to insure a successful concert tour. Anyway I thought long and hard about talking about this on this International pulpit but those of you who know me know that I deal with the truth. I still suffer immensely from this incident. It is the reason why I have drastically curtailed my attendance at my usual friends concerts. I have not felt like blogging at all even when I did promise some friends coverage of their concerts. I have spent my whole life here on the Classical/Jazz Guitar scene and FOLK scene in Greenwich Village.I have even held up my renewal to GFA as a form of protest. I am friends with so many great artists around the world that this post may make them a little surprised that I had to expose this incident in this way. HARRIS BECKER and GERRY SAULTER are guilty of injuring one of the great lovers of our craft here on planet earth - ME DON WITTER JR. - and I at 63 soon to be 64 will not let this be ignored. You two have hurt me deeply with your actions on December 2nd 2012. I have suffered long bouts of depression because of you two. I earned that spot and my playing at the audition was flawless. LUIZ BONFA HIMSELF told me in the 70's when I played his compositions for him.I am a part of the fabric of New York City as I introduce people to the world of the Classical and Jazz Solo Guitar at least 5 days a week. That is how much I love this craft . You can't ignore my presence here. I am on the scene for the duration of my life and thanks to my posting this, I can begin to recover from my deep,deep hurt. I hope I can find it in my heart to forgive especially you HARRIS BECKER for the pain you have caused me over these almost two years.donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-89487614413222605012014-02-01T13:16:00.000-08:002014-02-01T13:16:01.199-08:00NJCU CONCERTS COMING UP- DR. ANA MARIA ROSADOI am proud to announce a great series of concerts to be held at the NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY over the next couple of months. The head of the Guitar Department is Doctor Ana Maria Rosado, an exceptionally gifted Classical Guitar Virtuoso and teacher who I have known since she came from Puerto Rico over 30 years ago! My wife and I were at her 1st Concert in the United States held right here in Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Boat House. More about her in another post. Here are the upcoming concerts:<br />
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Sunday February 9th 3pm BERTA ROJAS<br />
Sunday February 23rd 3pm DUO ALTURAS<br />
Wed February 26th 1pm FRANCISCO ROLDAN<br />
Sunday April 27th 3pm DR. ANA MARIA ROSADO with the NJCU orchestra plays the Concerto de ARANJUEZ<br />
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The Guitar program headed by my dear friend Dr. Ana Maria Rosado is a very strong one. Francisco Roldan is an exceptionally gifted artist whom I appeared on a concert series sponsored by The American Institute of the Guitar in the 80's and I recently attended a beautifully performed solo recital by this great artist ( Review by me upcoming ). Also recently acquired to the teaching staff is one of the truly young tigers of the Guitar Scene : JOAO LUIZ, one half of the phenomenal Brazil Guitar Duo ( Douglas Lora ). I also recently heard JOAO in a duo concert which I will be reviewing also! JOAO LUIZ is also a gifted composer and arranger!<br />
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New Jersey City University is easy to get to by public transportation as a bus from port authority gets you there right at the gates of the campus. I have been to several events on campus over the last 10 or so years and they have all been outstanding and so should these be. For more on the concert series : AMRGuitar@nyc.rr.com<br />
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New Jersey City University 2039 John F Kennedy Blvd.W. Jersey www.njcu.edu<br />
<br />donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-86454097717658148982013-10-31T22:32:00.001-07:002013-10-31T22:32:48.966-07:00SEGOVIA LIVES AT THE 92nd Street "Y" / This And That This past Saturday evening at the 92nd street "Y", here in New York, we celebrated a totally awesome evening of SEGOVIAN proportion in that several of the worlds' great Classical Guitarist paid tribute to the Greatest Guitarist in history by celebrating the 120th year of his birth. I just wanted to touch base with you as I am preparing a very long report on the whole evening of greatness.I am happy to say that I know each and every great artist on the program; some of whom I really count as friends I have not seen in a few years and some whom I have run into when they were in the New York Guitar concert platform. I am a little swamped with performances over the next 3 days but will inch my way through the gathering of the sights and sounds of this great evening so hold on partners as this report on the Segovia Tribute will give you a juicy treat over the next week.<br />
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I will be doing an "up close" report on my favorite magazine CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE. The October issue has quite a few entries that I was personally involved with and I had to jump for joy at the bounty of goodies in its' pages and am foaming at the mouth to share them with you!!!<br />
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How about that JULIAN BREAM turning 80 and ALIRIO DIAZ turning 90!!!! Two of my great heroes!!! BREAM of course, is not on the concert platform but that ALIRIO is still tearing up the fretboard!!!! My other hero at 70 is known to be ready to hang up his performance spurs:JOHN WILLIAMS!! Say it ain't so Johnny!!! A few years ago I gave myself a treat by attending THREE John Williams concerts in a two week period!!!! For one I actually rode the express train with JOHNNY from New York to Boston where he was picked up by MANUEL BARRUECO and his gorgeous wife!! What a lucky guy I have been in my life to have met so many great artists and none of them were ever stuck up!!!! BREAM was a little brittle when he gave his Master Class at the Manhattan School of Music but apologized for his shortness to me the next day. I have always loved Breams' fantastic way with the guitar. In particular his ability to make music colored with excitement in every performance. I will be posting my own tribute to BREAM this month and hope that somehow he gets a chance to read it!<br />
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If you love the Classical Guitar, this coming Monday you must attend a special Lecture/ demo by the incredibly fabulous GARRETT LEE at the Mannes College of Music. My fellow Mannes buddy from 1968-9 FREDERIC HAND will be playing a totally awesome Guitar he built for Fred. I have been to several lectures by Garrett over the last couple of years and he is also one of the finest Guitarists you can imagine. At the past MANNES GUITAR Week, he made my Eliot glow with his beautiful playing. What a treat it was for me to be on the "other end" of the guitar as GARRETT had the most "knowing coaxing" of sound!!! He gave me a fantastic lesson in instrument sensitivity awareness! I point you to his website for a mountain of Guitar knowledge this young man has at his fingertips : leeguitarworks.com. This young man is a GENIUS and a glowing example of a fine human being with one of the most beautiful smiles in human kind! I am proud to know him!!!<br />
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I have also recently really revisited the HUMAN GUITAR TORNADO by the name of ELIOT FISK!!!!!!! I will be devoting a separate post to this young man I have known since the late 60's W H E W !!! THAT IS A HELL OF A LONG TIME! My wife and I were in a weekend vacation when we saw that Eliot was giving a concert with his wife and daughter at a College in Bethlehem Pa and we missed it because we had a full day at the HARVEST FESTIVAL in town and I was worn out!!! Told Eliot this past Saturday that we were there but had to pass. I have the local paper which laid out the program. This is one of those times when I kicked myself in the butt for missing my man Eliot!! Sorry buddy. ANYWAY you should all be aware of that unique master ELIOT FISK! Check out his you tube performances! Buy and listen to the 24 Caprices of Paganini and turn it up high! IT WILL BLOW YOU A W A Y !!!!! He is the reincarnation of Liszt and Paganini rolled into one great performance machine!!! He may not be every ones' cup of tea being a bit over the top but he is one of History's greatest musical marvels and you should experience at least once in your lifetime. <br />
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That is all for now! It's 1:24am Friday Morning and I have to be at an 8am gig so I had better wrap it up for now.Keep strumming your Guitars out there and see next time at the DONNIE CHANNEL!!!!<br />
<br />donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-33565547268630487442013-10-20T00:24:00.001-07:002013-10-20T00:24:18.319-07:00 David Leisner and Rufus Muller at Symphony Space- FABULOUS!!!!On Friday October 18th, I was in the audience of one of the finest performances in my life!. As part of the Symphony Space "In the Salon" series, the "Guitar Plus" portion is in its sixth season of chamber music with the guitar with David Leisner as the Artistic Director. I have had the great joy of knowing this great genius for several decades now. David is a triple musical threat as he is an incredible virtuoso Guitarist, Supremely articulate Composer and outstanding teacher. Tonight was a concert to die for as David and the Marvelous Tenor Rufus Muller weaved a perfect web of superlative musicianship which left the audience completely entranced and thoroughly satisfied! Tenor Rufus Muller was sheer perfection on every possible level. His voice has an incredible facility and beauty. When needed he would open up those pipes and shake the rafters with his power and also hush us with delicate whispers perfectly articulated no matter what the volume. I can really appreciate his mastery as I am both a student of the voice and professional Guitarist. Rufus kept me on the edge of going crazy enjoying the beauty of his instrument and his perfect stage presence which brought the character of each and every song to perfect expression. For some songs he was seated and for others standing and producing both facially and bodily ever single nuance required to tell the story of each song. There I was 2nd row center to experience one of the greatest performances in my life "Up Close".<br />
The program was everything composed by British Composer Benjamin Britten for Tenor and Guitar.These lovely gems were produced during a ten year period, 1953-1963 for Britten's partner Tenor Peter Pears and Legendary Guitarist Julian Bream. I was fortunate to have been able to enjoy that original duo of Julian Bream and Peter Pears a couple of times in the late 60s/early 70s and what magic they produced on stage!!!! That magnificent magic was thoroughly realized this night!!! Always superbly in sync for each and every note, David and Rufus knocked the ball out of the park with each and every song perfectly expressing every nuance and emotion requested. David ! OH MY BUDDY! That kid plays a mean Guitar!!!! He uses a great instrument from one of the giants in the history of Guitar making : JOHN GILBERT. John recently passed away but made his mark in the Classical Guitar world with his "Working Instruments"! I recommend you jump on to you tube and feast on the special documentary on John as he shares his craft with you in an easy and matter of fact style. I actually took a class with John at a GFA Convention held in Akron Ohio a couple of decades ago. It was for "Luthiers only" but I thought it was important to be there to get some knowledge of the craft. John Gilbert was completely down to earth and so easy going.<br />
Coming back to tonight's performance, David was ( as usual ) in total command of our lovely instrument with a supreme palette of diverse articulation that only a Master Musician has at his/her disposal. Britten's accompaniments perfectly molded the thoughts expressed in these moving tone poems. The evening was like having a truly gourmet meal produced by two outstanding chefs! Each and every ingredient perfectly measured and blended!<br />
There was no intermission but Laura Kaminsky, Artistic Director of Symphony Space gave us "A Few Thoughts About Benjamin Britten". We learned about the total power of love and faithfulness between Britten and his partner Peter Pears and this was expressed at quite the right time as we are seeing more laws supporting the natural love between two people no matter what their orientation finally going forward!!.<br />
Getting back to the program, I didn't even mention the works: Folk Song Arrangements ( 1956,1958), The Second Lute Song of the Earl of Essex ( from Gloriana,1953) and the Songs from the Chinese, op. 58 (1957). An added plus to the program was the greatest Guitar Work as touted by Julian Bream, Britten's NOCTURNAL,op 70 ( 1963 ). The Nocturnal is seated right in back of me in my front room as I write this post and is one hell of a great piece of music. It is in the format of a theme and variations - REVERSED. That is to say the Variations come before the main theme. The Nocturnal Musically travels through several states of sleep with such creative ingenuity and David Leisner's performance was masterful and sensitive in each and every dream state. It was never in any way a mirror image of the totally awesome Bream recording. I worked on these variations a couple of decades ago just for fun but never completed a final craft of the piece but was so moved by the creativity of the writing that I had to "TASTE IT"! This is one of the finest pieces in our literature and it was stunning in the way David crafted each variation. Tone quality was so pristine and the Leisner " WAND OF MAGIC " was overflowing. It is such majestic playing that makes me proud that I also enjoy the "Taste of the Plucked Universe of Guitar Strings".<br />
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Now for some really crazy moments I had leading up to the concert I must share with you!!!!<br />
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I was trying to order a senior discount ticket online as per Davids' instructions but got no where. I had my own gig from 4 to 7 pm and figured that I would come straight from the gig with my equipment. Since it was a gorgeous day I decided that no matter what the cost, I would take the easy trip to the box office. I assumed that the Symphony Space Box office would be opened at noon- WRONG. Got there at 12:40 and guard told me they opened at ONE!! Well, took a slow walk up a couple of blocks and found a "Housing Works" store near the corner of Broadway and 96th street. As usual I make a beeline to the books and as my luck would have it , the recently published book on Benjamin Britten authored by Wilson was right there. It was a preview copy with no pictures or music but I said "Get IT" . The price was $5 and I didn't want to pay that as I could easily get a library copy later. I put the book where I could easily remember if I changed my mind. So I head back to the space to buy my ticket at 1pm and who do I bump into - DAVID and his wonderful partner RALPH! I told David I had a 3 hour gig before his performance but that I would be there. He reminded me that the program will be on the short side so I should try to make it on time or miss some of the performance. After paying for my ticket, I decided it would be a hoot to pick up the Britten Biography and read a few pages in preparation for the evening performance. Lo and Behold the book was not where I left it!!!! I slowly canvassed the whole book section and said to myself : Not for me today! As I took a couple of steps away I said: You really want that book so look in every nook and crannie before leaving! As usual for me, I slowed my search down and found the book tucked away on top of one of the lower shelves!!! YEAH! YIPPEE!! On my way back home I glanced at the introduction in which Wilson states that this will not be a "Musical" biography so there were no examples ( which I really wanted ) . I know that there are a couple of books on the Music of Britten but the prices scared me away for now! So instead of staying at my gig from 4 to 7 , I left around 6 and took my Guitar/Amp/Seat back home, kissed my gorgeous wife and decided to leave my Britten Biography home so my listening pleasure would not be too tainted with too much information. I wanted the music to speak to me sound to heart and it surely did all evening!! I must also comment on the excellent program notes and words to the songs! DAVID - You are a glowing example of what it means to be an excellent and thoughtful musician and human being and I am so happy to have such a sensitive person as a part of my life.<br />
David Leisner only works with the best and I look forward to future great performances of this giant of our craft! I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU RUFUS! I checked out your POSSE of students and fans and it was fun to be encircled with such an outpouring of love for you and your gift! Your singing really,really moved me ( as I told you ).<br />
I know this was a long post but I had so much to share with you and I wanted to get it all in. It is experiences like this that make me feel so "ALIVE". Great Music by and from great Musicians is Priceless and consumes the soul with the deepest of emotions. Damn! It is 2:45 am and I have an early morning gig but it is worth every sleepy moment.I proofed most of this post but hope I got my points clearly across to you. Please forgive me if I goofed. I am dead tired with my eyeballs hanging out their sockets! Later!donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-10288480685188062532013-10-05T19:47:00.001-07:002013-10-05T19:47:59.026-07:00Took the summer off.Hi FOLKS! I took the summer off from performing with the exception of an August 15th Library Concert. I have never taken a rest from performing AT ALL since 1955-my first public performance on piano. It was weird not performing some where around town with the Music Under New York program or any other gigs. It was "Free Flow" time and here we are already in the month of October. I started back a couple of weeks ago. I am still passing up attending concerts , workshops etc. This past week the Great Eduardo Fernandez was in town to give a masterclass and concert. I passed on that also. As I may have mentioned in a previous post. I want to devote the next couple of years to me! I have spent my life supporting my colleagues and friends by attending their concerts,workshops etc . I have been known as the black guy in the suit and the guy with the pad and pen. I should have attended the GFA this year because many friends were there and I really wanted to go but changed my mind at the last minute since it was just before the Mannes Guitar Seminar. You can catch an excellent report on the GFA in this month's CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE by the always brilliant GRAHAM WADE. I particularly enjoyed his description of the super virtuoso players in detail. He is right on the money in all his acute coverage of the event.I will be giving you a glimpse into this wonderful magazine CLASSICAL GUITAR in my next post. The October issue is chuck full of several great articles which I want to talk about as I was involved in a couple.<br />
I must admit that I have withdrawn from both the Jazz and Classical Guitar scene in an effort to make up for my not really honing my craft all these decades. I should have been a prominent name in the Classical and Jazz Guitar worlds but did not really bust my chops at all. I was given a great talent but am so embarrassed that I did not work harder at developing it. I am doing it now and it feels so darn great. I have spent some time listening to several decades of my concerts and whew! I was a young monster! I am particularly <br />
proud of where I am at this point because I can truly enjoy the learning process.<br />
The Internet has so much lesson material it is way too much! I have developed some sizable bags under my eyes thanks to investigating so many lessons and will be sharing with you many of the sites I have found worthy of you time and investigation. For a couple of mentions, Check out the Classical Guitar lessons with JASON VIEAUX and the posts of GOHAR VARDANYAN ( strings by mail , Mel Bay ). I also will be reminiscing on the greats who have passed by me in my guitar life here in New York. I have been very fortunate to have met the legends and cream of the crop of our Classical and Jazz Guitar scene. I was at the right places at the right time and am happy to have had such a wealth of greats in my life!! I was fortunate to have been active in the 60's onward - especially in the 60s/70s in the Greenwich Village Folk Scene at Folk City and Cafe Wha plus a few other folk scenes! I was fortunate to have met Judy Collins who told me she loved my playing and that I would be a welcome member to her group if I were interested. While a student at The High School of Music and Art, many notable artists were in my classes who we knew would make it big in the music world. The memories are pouring out as I write these few words down and I want to share them with you in future posts. I am also cleaning up my writing prowess trying to curtail my usual out of control forward motion as I know I am excitable when I start my gabbing.<br />
I also want to write a special post dedicated to the host of great colleagues/friends/teachers who have graced my life with their love and passion for our great and noble instrument. I will not start listing them now because I have many that have passed on and people have forgotten so I want to start a complete list.<br />
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ME AND MUNY<br />
One of the finest things I have done is to be a part of the MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK PROGRAM. The Musicians in and around the New York City Subway System like myself make this world a better place by sharing our Music with any and every one. I have performed in so many special events for the last 17 years and am honored to please people by introducing them to The World of the Classical and Jazz Guitar. Every time I put this instrument in my hands, I soar into the realm of the Gods in an effort to play the most beautiful Music I can muster on these 6 strings. The LAP PIANO( coined by the great legendary 7string master GEORGE VAN EPS ). I have been a judge for several years on the panel and we have a great group of excellent musicians in the program and I will also be posting a blog devoted to this wonderful organization.<br />
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THOSE GUITARS!!!!<br />
We are in the golden age of Classical Guitar Construction!!! Traditional fan bracing, Lattice, Double tops and so many other styles of construction! W H E W !!!!!! Another post on some thoughts about this topic to be posted by me.<br />
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MORE TO COME KIDDIES!!!donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-57903377451333531772013-08-29T21:19:00.003-07:002013-08-29T21:19:53.572-07:00Summer Time off for Donnie!/GFA DECEMBER 2nd 2012 / TidbitsI decided to take the next couple of years off from the scene here in Concert/ Workshop/ Masterclass ville in the Big Apple. Since 1955 I have performed in public and never taken a hiatus at all! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE performing but I need time to smell the roses and look back on my life. I was hoping that I would get some readers of this blog to my August 15th concert but NOPE! I also posted on the New York Classical Guitar Society Website ( which I that was a slam dunk to attract an audience)-nope! I have spent my whole life supporting my colleagues by showing up at their concerts etc but I see that has not put money in the Donnie bank so life goes on.<br />
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I was devastated last December 2nd when I auditioned for the GFA Symposium evening concert and did not make it. I played an excellent medley of Luiz Bonfa and thought I was a shoe in. I have been playing these pieces most of my life and have never had the slightest problem.In the 70's I took a lesson with Maestro Bonfa at Manny's Music store when Luiz was in town to buy some strings. Here I was among all my dear international colleagues: DENNIS KOSTER, ANA MARIA ROSADO and so many great artists who know my playing well. One of the two judges I had a run in with previously because I told him I didn't like how he treated one of my supreme artists. He made a promise to my friend and didn't have the courtesy to say he couldn't deliver on his promise. All it took was a couple of moments to email my friend or take a minute to phone an explanation but nope. It is so hard for young artists to get a break in this rough concert world of ours and we should be kind to each other and respectful for the hardships we, as artists must endure. That is what ticked me off . I will not name him, but I took that exclusion as "Payback" for my just defense of my colleague. When the names were read, I would have bet anything that the last name on the evening Guitar Roster would be mine.I was the last to audition in a room that was terribly stuffy and both of the Jurors Jumped out of that room at my last note like bats out of hell. When my name was not read I immediately when to he men's room and vomited. I was never in my life so hurt by the fraternity I grew up in and loved so dearly. I left for the day holding back tears and several rounds of vomiting. I have written this overview of the incident many times but have not posted it. I will not mention the names of the judges involved but this has stayed in my heart much too long and as I have taken the summer off playing around the city for the 1st time in my life, I have been looking at my Guitar life here in New York and in particular the Classical Guitar Community. This incident was an insult to me and I feel Weird to post this but I must let go the pain and I know I must be crazy to do it on this public forum but I want these two "Judges" to know how deeply their decision cut into my heart and this was the only way to let this terrible pain find peace.<br />
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I have made the decision to stay off the scene for the next two years with the exception of my Music Under New York gigs around town.I have been asked why I have not been seen and must say that I need a change and don't need to be a one man support group for the the New York Guitar community. I am a worn out by so many who promise to show up at my gigs and never make it. I play my ass off each and every time I perform and used to be deeply hurt when people ask me "When are you playing"? I really want to hear you" and there is their empty seat staring at me. We in the arts have to prepare for those terrible moments of personal hurt. Even when we are far and above those of whom we must compete for a place in the limelight, we have to learn how to drag our hearts off the floor and carry on. I heard that a decent amount of great young artists I know didn't make it to the finals of the GFA and was stunned because I was going to attend but had to pass due to poor health. I am a member of the GFA and applaud their event and competition and they consistently produce phenomenal winners. It is a monster event and they do a hell of a great job. Competitions are so unfair to the human spirit but I guess it serves a purpose in the careers of the musician. You have got to know how to take it. I almost threw my heat in the ring and actually started to prepare earlier this year but felt with all these great young players around the world, I would get my 63 young ass kicked good and down the block and around the globe! NAW I am no glutton for punishment. I remember a few times in my performing life when I auditioned for an event and stayed beginning to end so I knew who my competition was and saw that I performed an excellent set but was not chosen. In these cases I saw that the judging panel was looking for something else so I was not selected. This happens in all of our fields of endeavors. I love the great book on Competition that was published by one of the greatest exponents of our craft DENIS AZABAGIC. I also enjoy his performance dvd and teaching dvd. DENIS delivers the facts of competition life in minute detail since he has lived it and I must thank him for sharing the truth with us. Well that is enough on that. YEP! GOTTA HAVE THICK SKIN IN ORDER TO CARRY ON!<br />
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At this point in my life I still hope to release the queue of posts I have written for you on paper. I have a great report itching to go about the great 2013 MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR! This year's main focus was on Building a Career as a Guitarist and had the best group of people giving the nuts and bolts of this tough life.<br />
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Before I jumped on to my blog I decided to check out some you tube videos and as always found another excellent performer on our great instrument: LAURA HUSBANDS who was plying a great piece magnificently "Prelude and Danza by Spanish composer Julian Bautista.I worked on this composition around 30 years ago and loved it so I was interested in seeing and hearing what she did with it and W O W !!! Her playing was FANTASTIC. She has a great attack and her note articulation was so clean. Whatever instrument she used was SUPERLATIVE. She made great use of tone color and her interpretation was supremely "SPANISH"! I loved it and look forward to checking out her other videos.<br />
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As you may have observed from my past posts, I love to give a huge amount of credit to our great Female artists because I believe they don't get enough notoriety. No I am not a dirty old man. I just believe that our great women of the guitar deserve much more respect. As a matter of fact I had a very sweet visit with the great Rose Augustine about a week before her death at her factory and one of our points of conversation was should we have a Woman's Concert Series. She felt there should not be unequal bent to the woman as performers even though Rose admitted that the field was dominated by males. If I had the bucks, I would publish a monthly mag just featuring female Classical/Jazz Guitarists! Music is not gender based! A woman can play just as magical and aggressively as a man SO THERE!!<br />
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Related to my previous paragraph I must relate a couple of "female" based reviews I have done in a previous discussion group over a decade ago. I love to give an "YOU ARE THERE" feeling to my review of concerts and I comment on several aspects of the performance. I remember all too well well how some reader attacked me with "You don't like female players". That was a lie. It just so happened that I told exactly what I experienced. Both wonderful artists are still magnificently on the concert platform at this time. One artist chose to perform the ARANJUEZ which is the most performed Guitar Concerto in History. She blew a couple of those RODRIGO scale runs and I mentioned it in my review which was 98 percent positive. The power of the internet is all consuming and dangerous because some of her students asked her about that. People are always looking for the negative point of view. Well I met my colleague at a concert at the 96street "Y" and first thing she said was "I have a bone to pick with you"! I knew immediately she was referring to the review because I thought quite heavily when I wrote it if I should mention the slipping of the scale runs. I told her ( and she agreed ) that that review was a glowing positive review and that I only mentioned it because it is the most well known Guitar Concerto and there would be some people in the audience who would be astute enough to say "Hey - she missed a couple of scale runs". This great artist then relayed the reason for the misfires- two of her former teachers were in the audience and made her a little nervous. Of course so many people want to bathe in negative talk and especially with this world wide medium , some of you out there are ready to pounce on anything you want to bend out of context.<br />
My second artist is a phenom who has had a life of excellence and at one point I had to stop attending here concerts because she didn't "reach past the concert stage"! Town Hall is an excellent small concert hall here in New York and my man JULIAN BREAM and JOHN WILLIAMS both played there. I remember as if it were yesterday that I was going to give my lady one more chance with my money because she sounded so great on cd/record but didn't have enough "Guts" in the concert hall to reach into the audience with her personal sound.This concert was marred by a woman in back of me who kept rattling her bracelet throughout the concert. I let that woman have it at intermission. Back to the performance. I was in a 5th,6th row center orchestra seat in town hall but could hardly hear her so I stopped attending her concerts for years until she decided to use some amplification and wow! What a great change.Anyway that is enough of that for now. I only mention these experiences to relate how in the quest for honesty and truth in reporting an event, you really have to make very sensitive choices and pick thoughts that may be the truth but hard to humanly accept. That is when you have the vultures try to kick your butt online and attack you for expressing your opinion!<br />
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I see I have been online for the last two hours and still have more thoughts to express. Just in case I somehow loose this post let me send it out to you before that happens.donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-2654563120216547382013-08-08T13:16:00.002-07:002013-08-08T13:16:34.036-07:00ROLAND DYENS and GOHAR VARDANYAN - GOOD TOGETHER!There is a great tie-in of my recent posts on my two dear friends : ROLAND DYENS and GOHAR VARDANYAN. Roland just published a series of 100 pieces for the Guitar which covers various levels of technical and musical topics and the company STRINGS BY MAIL has a wonderful series of GOHAR playing several of these pieces and teaching the fine points covered in these marvelous pieces. You will find that GOHAR is also as brilliant a teacher as she is a guitar virtuoso. I just finished viewing several of the pieces and what a treasure they are! I think you should jump right in there and experience the videos for yourself! ROLAND knows the Guitar inside out and upside down and always gives exact details on how to play his compositions and arrangements. As I mentioned in previous posts, ROLAND DYENS is a giant in the Guitar world!! I mentioned him as a "Bottomless Pit of Creativity" and I firmly stand by that statement. There is only one ROLAND DYENS!!!donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-30582926750841447132013-08-08T11:56:00.001-07:002013-08-08T11:56:16.542-07:00DONNIE PLAYS SAINT AGNES LIBRARY AUGUST 15TH 5:30 PMI will be giving a concert next Thursday August 15th / 5:30 pm at the St. Agnes Branch of the public Library . The branch is located at 444 AMSTERDAM AVENUE in Manhattan at 81st street.I will be presenting a program of SPANISH AND LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC. Juicy tidbits by several outstanding composers and I hope to have a ball. The Library concerts are slim these days due to budget cuts but hopefully there will be more Donnie GIGS in the near future! Hope to see you there as the 63 year Guitar plucker will prove to you that there is indeed life after 30! SEE YA LATER!!!!<br />
donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-34397724659788856192013-08-04T15:57:00.003-07:002013-08-04T15:57:32.549-07:00The Bottomless Musical Creations of ROLAND DYENS!!!!!Go to the YOU TUBE and look for the performance of my dear friend and colleague ROLAND DYENS as he performs "The Delights of Jet lag" on the Acoustic Guitar Magazine collection of Videos! I was surfing to find out some performances of my favorites and noticed this performance and just had to alert you to the greatness that is the awesome artistry of ROLAND DYENS!<br />
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Since the early 60s, I have heard the greatest Guitarists in the Classical and Jazz Genres and let me tell you ROLAND DYENS IS THE MOST CONSUMMATE GUITARIST ON THE PLANET!!! I have known my dear friend for several decades and just when I thought he has done it all, he tears me a new learning curve!!!! As a virtuoso Guitarist he just knows all there is about our instrument. He can play in several tunings and calls into service every imaginable guitar technique in his brilliant compositions! He starts off the above work by performing harmonics with his right hand interspersed with " Hammer ons " with his left hand. Of course it would be a bit difficult to carry this work on in any decent size hall because the carrying power of the instrument while performing the legatos/hammer ons, are tough to pull off! I remain a rabid fan of my dear friend forever and when he visits the City, we somehow get a chance to have a meal and talk about all sorts of guitar and non guitar topics. ROLAND really stuns me every time he plays and we are so fortunate to have so many you tube videos available of his fantastic performances and beautifully sculpted compositions. I don't know what type of blood you have ROLAND, but I'd love to have a few drops!!<br />
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There is NO ONE LIKE ROLAND DYENS ON PLANET EARTH!!!!!!! Just look at the huge body of work he has put out! STUNNING!!!!!! I must say that as far as I am concerned he walks on water and dwells in the rarified realm of MOUNT OLYMPUS with the GODS. If you <i>EVER</i> get a chance to attend a ROLAND DYENS concert, GET THE BEST TICKET AND PREPARE TO BE AMAZED AT THE WIZARDRY OF OUR MODERN DAY LISZT! I am crazy about great Guitar performances no matter what the genre and ROLAND has them all beat! I know that is quite a statement but his videos should convince any doubting folks out there!!! My Man Roland. PLEASE CONTINUE to SHOW US THE MAGICAL WORLD OF OUR GREAT INSTRUMENT AND <i><u>THANK YOU! </u></i>donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-63556935681936333142013-07-28T21:36:00.000-07:002013-07-28T21:36:02.552-07:00TO COME- DONNIE STUFFBefore 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 :<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> SYLVAIN LUC </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> TOMMY EMMANUEL </span>donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-3254314154551891502013-07-28T21:28:00.003-07:002013-07-28T21:28:54.701-07:00Some 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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.<br />
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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"<br />
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?<br />
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.<br />
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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!!!<br />
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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!<br />
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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! <br />
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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!!!<br />
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DONNIE GUITAR!<br />
<br />donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-64502531032189562612013-07-28T19:50:00.000-07:002013-07-28T19:50:19.466-07:00 ERICA CHA at MANNES- EMERGING ARTIST IN MOTIONThere 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 -<br />
( 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.<br />
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!!!!!<br />
I will be watching her progress and reporting on any new advances as they happen.donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-35140053711714906102013-07-10T01:07:00.003-07:002013-07-10T01:07:41.279-07:00Mannes Guitar Seminar-Opening Night Concert-2013 day # 1The 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<br />
( 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!<br />
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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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!.donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-26380878892064164082013-07-09T11:10:00.000-07:002013-07-09T11:10:44.018-07:00Mannes 2013 Guitar Seminar-"BE A PLAYER"(WWW.MANNESGUITAR.COM)<br />
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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.<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
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<br />
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!<br />
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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:<br />
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WWW.MANNESGUITAR.COM.<br />
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I can't promise you a detailed daily report but will try to leak some tidbits to you as my strength will allow.donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-32014104232939861572013-07-06T15:55:00.002-07:002013-07-06T15:55:27.093-07:00HAPPY 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.<br />
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!<br />
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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???<br />
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JULIAN AND MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE! CAN I STOP BY AND HAVE LUNCH WITH YOU SOME DAY?<br />
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Your Most Devoted Fan,<br />
Don Witter,Jr.<br />
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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.<br />
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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! donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-13141327917745225522013-05-25T00:24:00.001-07:002013-05-25T00:24:12.904-07:00The Magical World of JORGE CABALLERO - DAMN THAT KID IS GREAT! Although I have a list of Guitar topics I want to share with you, I must once again speak of the total command of our instrument in the hands of the great PERUVIAN PHENOM- JORGE CABALLERO! Experience this young genius on YOU TUBE with his many videos and you will laugh at how A W E S O M E he is!!! Everyone who has heard him in concert or in Master Class have experienced G E N I U S ! This young man is so brilliant on so many levels and I could write a report on him every day detailing all the wonderful qualities he has but I just wanted to remind you that we have a Genius in our Classical Guitar / Musical Instrument podium! He is a gentle giant as you will find out if you meet him. I have to take a breath every time I think about him because he is as wonderful as Bream,Williams, Barrueco etc! He has already cemented his place on the " best of the best " podium. We are so fortunate to have him as part of our world and you have to make time to get to one of his Herculean Performances as soon as you can!!!! You will be transported into "THE OUTER LIMITS"!donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-36813217731373267812013-05-25T00:08:00.001-07:002013-05-25T00:08:13.252-07:00Pia Gazarek-Offermann Delivers Poetry on Guitar-SPANISH GUITAR MASTERPIECESPIA GAZAREK OFFERMANN is a poetic whiz on her 2009 fabulous KARL-HEINZ ROEMMICH instrument on her just released CD: Spanish Guitar Masterpieces! Three beautiful works from Spanish Composers are played with such verve and beauty opening up the CD with a very little played 2nd Sonata by Eduardo Lopez-Charvarri. The only time I heard this interesting work was in the 70s when it was on the Carnegie Recital Hall debut program of Mexican Virtuoso ALFONSO MORENO! It is a work that requires a sharp mind to interpret the many themes introduced in it's pages and Pia has all the "right stuff" both musically and technically to please us with this performance. It moved me so much that I went to the Lincoln Center Library to see if they had a copy of this Sonata because I remember there being one years ago and as my usual lucky streak continued, I found that copy and sat with it in my lap as I enjoyed my second listening of this CD. My first listening was the evening I first received the CD in the mail. At that time, I listened deeply and wrote a detailed account of each movement in the three works. I do hope that the name of PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN catapults to the top of your list of "MUST EXPERIENCE". Fortunately YOU TUBE has several cuts from her 1st CD "SATYAGRAHA" ( 2007 ) which included a stunning performance of the title track ( composed by my buddy BENJAMIN VERDERY) and a lovely performance of Benjamin Britten's "NOCTURNAL".<br />
Getting back to this beautifully recorded CD, the other composers represented on this Lovely CD are Frederic Mompou and Antonio Jose. Segovia's recording of The Suite Compostelana by Mompou, still rings in my mind from my old LP ( do you kids know what that is? ). Pia's interpretation is full of sweet nuance and delicate phrasing that throws new light on this very little played work.This work gives the artist six beautifully defined pieces each with another look into the magical world of the Spanish soul. I feasted on each and every movement as Pia's superior use of phrasing and articulation showered the movements with such ingenuity and delicacy. Ending this beautifully packaged CD is that Impressionistic Sonata by Antonio Jose that just flows through it's movements with the thoughtful stamp of thorough artistry by Pia. Three solid works played with superior artistry and several levels of interpretative ingenuity is evident with this beautifully packaged work of art. The sound of the recording is absolutely perfect as it caught the slightest hint of musical utterance by Pia. Let me tell you that her fantastic instrument - a 2009 KARL-HEINZ ROEMMICH - is one of the great instruments being played. I had a chance to try it out in 2010 when Pia was here in New York for two concerts and let me tell you, it is one of those guitars that just "PLAYS ITSELF". I told her "CAN I HAVE THIS"?. I was bowled over when I started to play this magnificent instrument. It has such an easy response to any articulation you could want. With an instrument like this as your vehicle of musical expression, the universe is your sound palette and with an exceptional artist as PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN , we are fortunate to have a brilliant ambassador of our music and instrument proudly representing us on the concert stage. Please jump on to YOU TUBE to experience this wonderfully gifted artist and if you are looking for someone special to present in concert, think of Pia. You will not regret a note!<br />
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Don Witter,Jr<br />
member NYCCGS / CGSUNYdonsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-58566625530355041242013-05-25T00:07:00.001-07:002013-05-25T00:07:56.460-07:00donsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421215979348848314.post-27884727066659183762013-05-15T15:59:00.002-07:002013-05-15T15:59:42.678-07:00What I would Love to have Seen and Heard In the recent Play/demo offered by my young friend RUPERT BOYD at the Metropolitan Museum of a couple of Museum Rare Instruments, I wish he would have been given permission to play SEGOVIA'S Ramirez and Hauser. As inspected the two instruments through the glass case, they looked ready to dance! When we have an opportunity to aurally taste great instruments, we should be given full rein to make music live on any instrument fit to play.Before posting my review of the event, I just want to thank Rupert for playing so magnificently that afternoon. I has the best seat in the house-right in front of Rupert so I really got an "EAR FULL" of the sound of each instrument. I felt that the RENE LACOTE ( 1853 ) could have used Gut Strings. About 35 years or so ago, I played a period instrument with gut strings and it was a revelation to be taken into the past sound world that day with the scratchy but sweet sound of those strings. I may be wrong but the Lacote didn't seem to have gut strings but I didn't inspect it closely as the curaters were close by and I didn't want any problems.<br />
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What I would have Loved to see and heard were all instruments in "PERIOD GARB" with the contemporary<br />
string tension and of course period music! I would have say played the Sor Variations on the Lacote 1st and then the Ramirez,Hauser and finally the Smallman and Sons. By the way, when GREG SMALLMAN first appeared on the scene, I tried it at BEVERLY MAHERS Guitar Salon here in New York and it had the nastiest Nasal sound! Tremendously loud compared to any guitar but the sound was extremely acrid to my ears. Of course there was no shortage of folks lining up to buy one thanks to the great JOHN WILLIAMS. I was so happy that there were modifications made when Smallman had his sons interact with him because they became true "Dream Guitars". I have tried a few Smallman and Sons over the last several years and they are DREAMS!!!<br />
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I would love to be able to play the same composition on "Guitars Through the Ages" and also be able to look and compare the construction,touch and playability of each on a video. Check out what is being done by Guitar Salon International on their website as they present various historical instruments for our pleasure. I have tried great instruments over the decades including some of the greatest Luthiers and I never get tired of making each instrument sound the best it can! With today's extreme range of building techniques, we are in a great world of hard decisions when it comes to selecting a concert worthy instrument. Good luck to those of you who are in the search.<br />
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This post is just the beginning of several having to do with selecting a guitar for concert use and I hope that I can shed some light on the process. Check the web for pertinent info and keep that GUITAR LOVE alive!<br />
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Gotta have dinner or my wife will spank me!<br />
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Dondonsguitarblogghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605447691637766463noreply@blogger.com0