Saturday, February 4, 2012

Report on Weill Recital Hall coming up!!

Within the next couple of days, I will follow up on that FANTASTIC Weill Recital Hall Concert of those two highly Gifted Young men presented by the D'Daddario Sting Company! I would first love to publically thank D'Daddario for just about filling the hall due to their offering tickets at affordable prices! I will be 62 in April and have been on the Classical and Jazz Guitar Scene since 1962 and have studied with the best of the best and heard the best in the world as they traveled through New York and I feel like a kid in my teens- STILL HUNGRY FOR SOME GREAT GUITAR PLAYING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! I cry when I know a great player is in town and get a piss poor audience!In this case, I was so happy to see and almost sold out house for these two exceptionally gifted young tigers! Of course lucky me caught them twice this week and I will have to publicly thank MARK GREENBERG for telling me about the special Mannes event on Wednesday, THANKS MARK!! This post is just to touch base with you folks as my head is spinning from the amount of Guitar Concerts I have been to over the last two weeks and I believe I will be going tonight to another. I have had to slow down my event hopping a bit but I happy to receive the good feedback from my work. I receive no money for this but feel it important that my life here on the Guitar planet means something. I want only the best for my lovely instrument - the Guitar and hope that you too aspire to do the same. Speak to you soon and keep working on your guitars!!!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Two Young Contest Winners to Play At Weill Recital Hall tomorrow February 2nd

I was fortunate today to be at the MANNES SCHOOL OF MUSIC, where they held a private "for students" presentation of a 20 minute film about the History of The MICHELE PITTALUGA INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION and on hand were two superb young virtuosos : CECILIO PERERA ( 2011 Michele Pittaluga Winner) and JOHANNES MOLLER(2010 GFA 1st Prize).Both brilliant young men will be in concert at the Weill Recital Hall tomorrow night Thursday February 2nd at 8pm, presented by The D'addario String Company. While having a little computer snafu delay the proceedings, as usual my buddy Michael Newman, with the help of some computer savvy students sent us on our merry stay in Goldmark Hall as we had a chance to taste the excellent Techniques and musicianship of these two extraordinary young men.I suggest you turn on your YOU TUBE channel and feast on the existing videos exposing the exploita of these seasoned artists! You will find more than enough examples of greatness. For their pre concert visit, they both played two pieces and answered questions about warm up procedures.
CECILIO PERERA played the third movement from Leo Brouwers'Sonata with an absolutely monstrous technical facility that knocked us all out! His second piece was "Son de La Negra by Blas Galindo/ transcribed by Julio Cesar Oliva. You can find a performance of both Cecilio and Julio on You Tube. Cecilio also treated us to his warm up exercises that were very interesting.I'll have to pick my brains for a future detailed report as I did not carry my usual 4 pens and notebook. His articulation was really something to behold! Bold and clean~!!By the way Cecilio is from Mexico.
The young Swedish Virtuoso and 2010 GFA FOUNDATION 1st Prize Winner JOHANNES MOLLER, played an original composition that was "Out of this world" lovely exposing an extremely sensitive and powerful technique which was followed by that beautiful tremolo piece,JULIA FLORIDA by the equally fabulous Guitarist/Composer Augustin Barrios Mangore. That tremolo of Johannes was simply a joy to behold how it fluttered like a butterfly and was so elastic! One of the finest tremolos I have ever heard on our great instrument. Even though I am scheduled for a gig before their concert tomorrow night, I will cut my last hour so I can drop off my rig and get to the hall in time to check out these two wonderful kids in action. I tell you that I fall in love with this instrument every time someone steps up to the performance plate and delivers a musical and or technical "home run" like these two young men did! In the audience,the "CREAM OF THE CROP" of Mannes students were on hand to nourish their thoughts. Johannes had his father with him - who is a flautist. I also had a chance to check out a Greg Byers guitar that Johannes had for sale.Nice Guitar. We must also extend a good hug and thanks to the daughter of Michele Pittaluga for giving us such an excellent lecture about the History of the Guitar and Composition Competition started by her Father. The Composer side is about 10 years old while the initial Guitar Competition is 45 years old- W O W ! In these times of short lived and poorly funded Musical Events, this is surely a miracle whcih can only be achieved by always having only the best minds and passions for our beloved Guitar at work! CONGRATULATIONS to the PITTALUGA FAMILY and Artistic director ALIRIO DIAZ!!!! Check out Aliro Diaz on YOU TUBE! WHAT A GREAT ONE!!!!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

PEPE ROMERO TEACHES POETRY - PART 1

A few days have passed since my two days of Masterclasses with that LEGENDARY VIRTUOSO - PEPE ROMERO and I am still so happy to have been there at The Manhattan School of Music for this momentus occasion! I could not make the first Class this past Monday because I was worn out by my own 4 hour gig at the Staten Island Ferry.I was in heaven on Wednesday the last day as Pepe sat next to me while listening to the students, which afforded me a chance to have some private conversation with PEPE. I will tell you that I was stunned at how few people attended the masterclasses the two days I was there-especially Tuesday! I guess my love for this great instrument has always had me wonder why an International and Historically important artist like PEPE ROMERO did not draw a respectable audience! What a shame in this case because the wealth of information that was passed on by this 68 year young Genius was priceless! Each and every student miraculously improved after receiving instructions from the Maestro!I was so proud of these young chargers and see that the future of our great instrument is in very capable hands. This is just an opening post for a more detailed set of posts on this great event. Over the last few days at my gigs, the PEPE ROMERO EFFECT has made me notice that even my playing took another step up in execution and musicality as seen in my tips! I want to share these wonderful jewels of instruction with you in the coming posts,so stay hungry and please forgive the time lapses in between because I am a working musician and am playing several hours almost every day of the week and at my 61 years young, I need some extra vitamin c and e to get some gusto in my walk. I can't believe that in April I will be 62 because I am out there like a 30 year old and am enjoying every minute I can play in public. See you in part two of the PEPE ROMERO CLASS!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

SUPER VIRTUOSO WOLFGANG LENDLE/ANIELLO DESIDERIO

If you want to be shocked into the realm of Herculean Classical Guitar prowess, please ruch to you tube and experience the "AWESOME" Guitar work of the great German Virtuoso WOLFGANG LENDLE!! I know I have mentioned him before but he must be recognized as a true "GUITAR MONSTER"! This man just "tears it up"! I have just been listening and watching one of his many videos and let me tell you he is one of our most amazing virtuosos on ANY instrument! What a G I A N T !!!! I met him over a decade ago here in New York at I believe Manhattan School of Music or the Spanish Institute. I was front center and he just tore my head off with the most amazing ROBERT RUCK Cedar Top Guitar and a virtuosity that body slammed my senses~! So clean and pinpointed was his technique and what a superlative musician! What note articulation supremacy! Gorgeous tone and superb phraasing! We are indebted to our internet that allow us to witness such greatness. I could watch him all day and night!

Another Guitar God in the Classical Realm is the magnificent Italian Virtuoso : ANIELLO DESIDERIO! A truly virtuosic giant if there ever was one! So check him out!

Good Guitar Listening. I'm sure I will be letting you know about more greats we get a chance to meet on the net!

MAESTRO PEPE ROMERO AT MSM MON-WED THIS WEEK!!!

I am proud to announce that MAESTRO PEPE ROMERO will be giving 3, 3 hour master classes at the Manhattan School of Music this Monday through Wednesday. Below is all the info. Hope to see you there as I will be coming straight from gigs each day in order to bathe in the Maestros' great teaching! It will be an education par excel lance! Don't miss this rare treat!!

The distinguished Guitarist PEPE ROMERO will be in residence at Manhattan School of Music January 23 – 25. His residency will include master classes that will be given in the School’s Miller Recital Hall – Monday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 25 at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Romero’s residency is made possible by The Augustine Foundation. A complete program listing for all three master classes is attached at the end of this press release.

The last time that a series of guitar master classes took place in New York City was in 1987 when Andres Segovia was presented in a series of master classes. In the past, Manhattan School of Music has had an ongoing relationship with the Augustine Foundation presenting a series of guitar concerts showcasing the great guitarists – the series included such guitarists as Julian Bream, the Assad Brothers, David Starobin, Paul O’Dette and David Russell, to name a few.

David Leisner, co-chair of MSM’s Guitar Department says, “Pepe Romero is one of the few living legends of the classical guitar. In addition to his extraordinary guitar playing, he is a master teacher. Pepe offers the kind of technical advice, with shortcuts and tricks of the trade that can only be gleaned from many decades of experience at the top of the field. He is also generous with his immense musical wisdom and profoundly human artistic insights. Here we have the very rare opportunity to witness the maestro work up close, in the intimate Miller Recital Hall, with the very talented guitar students of the Manhattan School of Music, in a rare series of three master classes. We are delighted at the opportunity to present Pepe Romero and are most grateful to the Augustine Foundation for making it possible.”

The master classes with Pepe Romero are open to the public and tickets are not required. For information, contact the MSM Concert Office at 917 493 4428 or visit www.msmnyc.edu. Manhattan School of Music is located on the northwest corner of Broadway and 122nd Street, and is easily accessible by public transportation. Several MTA bus lines stop within two blocks at Broadway and 122nd Street; the subway, No. 1 train, stops at the 116th Street and 125th Street stations.

Pepe Romero is a world-renowned classical and flamenco guitarist. He was born in Málaga, Spain in 1944 and in 1957 with his family, fled Franco’s Spain for the United States. His father, the legendary Celedonio Romero, was his only guitar teacher and his first professional appearance was in a shared concert with his father when he was age seven. He is the second son of “The Royal Family of the Guitar,” The Romeros, and with his father and brothers he helped establish The Romeros quartet as the leading classical guitar ensemble worldwide. As a member of The Romeros, he has performed at the White House for Presidents Carter and Nixon, as well as at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. His performances have also been heard by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain, and Queen Beatrice of Holland.

Pepe Romero is particularly known for his outstanding technique and colorful musical interpretations. He is in demand worldwide for his solo recitals and performances with orchestras. Mr. Romero has appeared with orchestras including the Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, Pittsburgh, Boston, San Francisco, as well as with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and the London Symphony. Mr. Romero has been a special guest at the festivals of Salzburg, Israel, Schleswig-Holstein, Menuhin, Osaka, Granada, Istanbul, Ravinia, Hollywood Bowl, Blossom, Wolf Trap and Saratoga. His contributions to the field of classical guitar have inspired numerous distinguished composers to compose works especially for him, including Joaquin Rodrigo, Federic Moreno Torroba, Rev. Francisco de Madina, Lorenzo Palomo and Celedonio Romero. He made his first recording at the age of 15, and has since recorded more than 60 solo albums as well as 30 recordings as part of The Romeros.

His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain knighted Pepe Romero and his brothers, Celin and Angel, into the Order of “Isabel la Catolica.” He serves as Adjunct Professor of Classical Guitar at the University of California’s Thornton School of Music, where he was named “Distinguished Artist in Residence” in 2004.

Pepe Romero Master Classes in MSM’s Miller Recital Hall


Monday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Sonata Pathétique
Adagio cantabile (arr. Francisco Tárrega)
Isaac Sharp (student of Mark Delpriora)

FEDERICO MORENO-TORROBA (1891-1982)
Sonatina in A major
Allegro
William Cassatt (student of David Leisner)

JOAQUÍN RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Tres Piezas Españolas
Fandango
Joshua Bavaro (student of David Leisner)

JOAQUÍN RODRIGO
Invocación y Danza
Steven Cowan (student of David Leisner)

MAURO GIULIANI (1781 -1829)
Concerto, op. 30
Allegro maestoso
Bradley Colten, Guitar (student of David Starobin)
Katie Leung, Piano


Tuesday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m.

HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Etude no. 8 in C# minor
Max Boras (student of Mark Delpriora)

AGUSTÍN BARRIOS (1885-1944)
Julia Florida
Jacqueline Westerduin (student of Mark Delpriora)

REGINO SAINZ DE LA MAZA (1896-1981)
Zapateado
Robert Adler (student of Mark Delpriora)

HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Mazurka-Chôro
Rianne Mision (student of David Leisner)

MAURO GIULIANI (1781-1829)
Etudes, op. 51
No. 13
No. 14
Kazuki Ueki (student of David Starobin)

MANUEL MARÍA PONCE (1882-1948)
Suite in A minor
Gavota
James Garber (student of Mark Delpriora)


Wednesday, January 25 at 5:00 p.m.

HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)
Etude no. 11
Shunsuke Fuchioka (student of Mark Delpriora)

MANUEL MARÍA PONCE (1882-1948)
Sonata III
Allegro moderato
Dylan Berman (student of Mark Delpriora)

JOAQUÍN RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Concierto de Aranjuez
Adagio
Vilian Ivantchev, Guitar (student of David Starobin)
Katie Leung, Piano

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
Lute Suite, BWV 996
Praeludio
Gunnlaugur (Gulli) Björnsson (student of David Leisner)

W H E W !!!! What a lineup of music that will be covered. I'm tired just reading the list! I've got my pens and pads ready to learn all I can! Hope you do the same!

Donnie Guitar!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Caballero

Sorry for the misspelling of Jorge's name. I get too excited when I talk about him because he is so magnificent! Right know I am experiencing Jorge play the Cromatic Fugue and Fantasy by Bach! W H E W - another shock to the system!

JORGE CABALLERO-MAGICAL VIRTUOSO

I am presently up at 4:55 am watching and listening to one of the greatest Classical Guitar Virtuosos in Music History- My friend and dear esteemed colleague JORGE CABALLERO.I have known this fantastic musician since his student days at The Manhattan School of Music. I first heard him at a Master Class in which he played for the equally fantastic ASSAD BROTHERS!! I remember it as though it were yesterday. I was totally bowled over by his Bach playing. His tone was so pure and his performance of ornaments on repeats, were crisp,clear and right on the money!! I wrote down in my notes: There is nothing negative the brothers can say about JORGE! He has it all: technique,musicality and supreme artistry! Odair was the first to comment and pretty much word for word stated the same! His brother Sergio uttered the same and Odair ended the few comments with: "we are proud to have this excellent artist write in his biography that he payed in our master class!".

If you want to find out how incredible our great instrument is, attend a concert by this musical genius- the Peruvian Guitar God JORGE CABALLERRO. You will have to go out and get drunk after you are smacked down by the incredible JORGE! Last year I attended the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR as a participant and attended his master classes and was intellectually walloped by the genius in this your man! He gave us a excellent lecture on the whole philosophy of playing the guitar that was totally engrossing and detailed.Of course all the players just wanted to get down and strutt their stuff as usual but it was a special treat (for me at least) to listen to such poetical explanations of our craft.I, being an experienced concert artist myself and having been around the block a few times thoroughly enjoyed this master class and hope that the young kids got the point that they were in the room with a true genius. Knowing my dear colleague, he would tell me "Don! Stop that crap! I'm not all that"! Well he is and everyone will also note that he is so kind and gentle. His future in our music world has already been securely established. He is already acknowledged as one of the finest Guitarists in History. Get on You Tube and get your butts scared at his Herculean and other worldly Artistry! I know what I am talking about. I would not stare you wrong! Hope you do! Keep your listening chops up! Check out what Jorge does with Pictures at An Exhibition! W H E W ! ! ! ! !
So beautifully clearly executed both musically and technically as is all he does with every piece he plays!!!
Donnie!