Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Reviews and thoughts to come Pia,Rupert,Gohar and others
I will be posting part two of a 3 part overview of the work of German Guitar Virtuoso PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN and a followup to my just posted bit on RUPERT BOYD. That will continue with another look at the brilliance of GOHAR VARDANYAN, who last month was in town to perform for the New York City Classical Guitar Society. I was looking forward to attending to cheer my dear colleague on but just got out of the hospital and was too weak to travel. For more on these great young artists, I suggest you bathe in their greatness by going to You Tube for examples of their artistry! You will not be disappointed!
The Genius of Virtuoso, RUPERT BOYD at The Met Tomorrow May 1st
I must let you know that the brilliant young Australian/American Guitar Virtuoso RUPERT BOYD ( www.rupertboyd.com ) will be giving a demo tomorrow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 2:30 free of charge in the Musical Instruments Collection ( Gallery 684 ) during which he will trace the development of he Classical Guitar by playing several instruments from the Museums' Cillection starting with a 19th Century Lacote, formally owned by the Legendary Genius JULIAN BREAM. The demo/trace will end with compositions played on Ruperts' fantastic Greg Smallman and Sons ( 2011 ). I have followed the rise of this great, young virtuoso for over a decade and he has always performed with the highest of musicianship and virtuosity and is one of our truly young greats in the Classical Guitar world. I strongly suggest you make a fast trek tomorrow to this special event. I will be there to catch the magic of RUPERT as he tastes the great instruments which will give us a fine measure of how far the Classical Guitar has come in it's expressive ability and volume projection. I will have more on this great young artist as a followup or lead in to tomorrows' demo.For now I suggest you zoom into his website ( www.rupertboyd.com ) and jump on to You Tube to revel in the wonderful sounds and sights of this brilliant young artist who continues to amaze us with his great playing!
Don Witter,Jr.
Don Witter,Jr.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Pia Gazarek-Offermann Plays Spanish Guitar Masterpieces-Part 1
I am proud to announce the appearance of the 2nd CD by the great German Virtuoso Guitarist PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN.Since I received this exceptional recording a week ago, I have listened to it several times and have written several reviews written from different angles.I have tried my dear friends' patience by delaying my review over the last few days because I want to give a full account of where this great artist is at this point in her career so good things take time. Since I have the luxury of this blog, I can write as much as I want without having my words truncated to meet a publications word limit so I will be doing a 2 part overview of this great artist because she deserves it!
We have been played a little text tag this week as I tried to research more about my colleague and I just have to get down to the task at hand first of the CD.
On this excellent CD "SPANISH GUITAR MASTERPIECES", Pia Gazarek-OFFERMANN performs the works on a magnificent 2009 KARL-HEINZ ROEMMICH ( roemmich-guitars.com ). I have first hand knowledge of how great this instrument is because I played it when Pia was last here in New York in 2010 to perform for the New York Classical Guitar Society and The Long Island Guitar Festival. That instrument
" plays itself "! You can realize the slightest musical utterance in such an "awesome" instrument. I immediately told her "Can I have it?". On the CD Pia opens the door wide and deep into the most spectacular world of Guitar colors and articulations all in the great service of the music.What stands out for me was the way in which she weighs the importance of each and every note and phrase that makes the music proud of being performed by her. Time and time again I was drawn into the way in which she attacked and caressed the phrases. I am familiar with all three works on the program: SONATA #2 by Eduardo Lopez-Chavarri , SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou and SONATA by Antonio Jose. I was happy to see a very little played Chavarri Sonata on the CD because I remember it as though it was yesterday when I first heard it played in the 70's at Carnegie Recital Hall when the brilliant Mexican Virtuoso ALFONSO MORENO performed it at his New York Debut! In the gifted hands of Pia Gazarek-Offermann, the many varied textures in the composition were crafted with expertise and knowing musical understanding.The thematic variety in this composition will surely challenge the greatest musical minds in make coherent sense of so much variety but Pia is up to the task. I would hope that this heavily ignored composition will get a second look now that Pia has given such an excellent reading! The other two works on the program are well known Spanish works: SONATA by Antonio Jose ( Performed several decades ago by my dear colleague RICARDO IZNAOLA ) and The SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou. What Pia does is to make these works one jewel after another.Her use of tone color,phrasing and articulation is of the highest realm of execution which makes the music sings it's best song. At my 1st hearing of the CD Friday April 12th , I wrote down my review of each and every movement and when I get the wind restored to me and am ready to type it all, I will post it here as a part 2. Let me congratulate my dear and magnificent colleague and frind on another great job well done. Folks you must attend her concerts if at all possible because when in this musical world we yearn for our hearts to be touched and senses awakened , here is someone who does just that and more. PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN must be experienced!
Don Witter,Jr.
member of NYCCGS
We have been played a little text tag this week as I tried to research more about my colleague and I just have to get down to the task at hand first of the CD.
On this excellent CD "SPANISH GUITAR MASTERPIECES", Pia Gazarek-OFFERMANN performs the works on a magnificent 2009 KARL-HEINZ ROEMMICH ( roemmich-guitars.com ). I have first hand knowledge of how great this instrument is because I played it when Pia was last here in New York in 2010 to perform for the New York Classical Guitar Society and The Long Island Guitar Festival. That instrument
" plays itself "! You can realize the slightest musical utterance in such an "awesome" instrument. I immediately told her "Can I have it?". On the CD Pia opens the door wide and deep into the most spectacular world of Guitar colors and articulations all in the great service of the music.What stands out for me was the way in which she weighs the importance of each and every note and phrase that makes the music proud of being performed by her. Time and time again I was drawn into the way in which she attacked and caressed the phrases. I am familiar with all three works on the program: SONATA #2 by Eduardo Lopez-Chavarri , SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou and SONATA by Antonio Jose. I was happy to see a very little played Chavarri Sonata on the CD because I remember it as though it was yesterday when I first heard it played in the 70's at Carnegie Recital Hall when the brilliant Mexican Virtuoso ALFONSO MORENO performed it at his New York Debut! In the gifted hands of Pia Gazarek-Offermann, the many varied textures in the composition were crafted with expertise and knowing musical understanding.The thematic variety in this composition will surely challenge the greatest musical minds in make coherent sense of so much variety but Pia is up to the task. I would hope that this heavily ignored composition will get a second look now that Pia has given such an excellent reading! The other two works on the program are well known Spanish works: SONATA by Antonio Jose ( Performed several decades ago by my dear colleague RICARDO IZNAOLA ) and The SUITE COMPOSTELANA by Federico Mompou. What Pia does is to make these works one jewel after another.Her use of tone color,phrasing and articulation is of the highest realm of execution which makes the music sings it's best song. At my 1st hearing of the CD Friday April 12th , I wrote down my review of each and every movement and when I get the wind restored to me and am ready to type it all, I will post it here as a part 2. Let me congratulate my dear and magnificent colleague and frind on another great job well done. Folks you must attend her concerts if at all possible because when in this musical world we yearn for our hearts to be touched and senses awakened , here is someone who does just that and more. PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN must be experienced!
Don Witter,Jr.
member of NYCCGS
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Back in Business after being sick
I am so happy to be back. Things were going well until the sick bell rang for me with Diabetic complications that landed me in the hospital for a week! Well I am slowly getting back to work playing around the city. I just turned 63 this last Saturday April 6th and I have decided that for the next 2 years I will stay out of the general scene hanging at concerts and workshops to concentrate on making ME a GREAT PLAYER! I will be spending more time on this blog helping to support my love of the guitar in my own way.
This year you should try to make it to the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR as the main focus will be how to make that career in marketing yourself as a Guitarist! I already paid for my week's stay and I think I will go to the GFA for the fun of it. You won't see me at the Guitar Society either as I really concentrate on things I need to address as I work on myself. There are so many things I yet have to get done and this recent bout in the hospital opened my eyes to a few important things in life.
I have just received a new CD from my dear colleague in Germany PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN and will be reviewing it in my next post. I listened to the hour long CD from 12:30 to 01:30 am this morning and am excited to bring you this review. As you know I have covered this great artist before and believe she is a magical player who will cast a magical musical glow over all who experience her artistry so stay tuned to the Donnie Channel !
I must thank the great and beautiful DAVID LEISNER for remembering my birthday on FACE BOOK! LOVE YOU BUDDIE!!!
A big shout out goes to the great publisher of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE, MAURICE SUMMERFIELD who will be honored at the GFA this year. Thanks Maurice for my monthly pages of Guitar Joy!
My sadness for not attending the concert of one of my guitar heroes - GOHAR VARDANYAN! I was too weak to travel anywhere after being in the hospital for the preceding week but I know she glowed like the great jewel she is!!!!
You must check out the new pod casts produced BRET WILLIAMS. His 1st show interviewed my dear colleague JULIA CROWE! What an incredible person she is! In the second interview, Bret interviewed the great young virtuoso RUPERT BOYD! Rupert is really way up there near the top of the list of great artists and such a sweet young man. I have been a great fan of his for over decade and if you ever get a chance to hear him R U S H TO GET THAT TICKET! This young man has it all together. WWW.RUPERTBOYD.COM.
I think that is it for now kiddies! It is 4:04 Saturday Morning and I as PUMPED up to get back here in business.
FORBES HENDERSON in England! I have not forgotten you! I will be doing our thing with the mister BACH in due time.
As I remember England, I must hug DAVID CASWELL for being such a wonderful artist! I spent some quality time with DAVID who is a monster Player when I attended WEST DEAN in 1997/1999. I have a cassette of us playing for each other that hits all 10's! Thanks DAVID.
When my wife and I vacationed in Puerto Rico, I had the great joy of visiting two great artists : ERNESTO CORDERO and JUAN SORROCHE!!! I spent a wonderful evening with Maestro Cordero that I will never forget.His hospitality was amazing and he treated me like a king!!! When I was able to catch JUAN SORROCHE at the University of Puerto Rico, he spent about and hour with me as he read through his wonderful compositions for me! That is one of the reasons why I am taking off the next two years from the New York Guitar scene. I want to present a Puerto Rican Guitar program ( which I promised to both of these greats ). Need the time to prepare. Outside of some native Puerto Rican artists, hardly any one is playing their beautiful. I just received an email from Maestro Cordero a couple of days ago with a video of a new work. I am humbled that he took the time to contact me.
My stay in the hospital slapped me silly with thoughts of things I should concentrate on from here in and I made a mental list of what I want to get done and promises to keep so here I go.Thanks for letting me air this online and I hope to be a valuable voice in our Classical/Jazz Guitar world.
DONNIE GUITAR!!!
p.s. I cannot leave this without hugging my dear and loving wife who has stood by me.This July will be our 26th wedding anniversary. We have been been together 28 years!! W H E W !!! I am a lucky man to have such an incredible human being as my wife is and I know she can't stand my shouting her praises to such a public audience, but I dearly love this special human being and I almost daily tell her I don't deserve her but I do my best to please her. WHAT A PAIR!!! She has stood by me for: a stent implant,Quadruple bypass,Prostate Cancer and two nasty bouts with diabetic complications. When I had the Prostate Cancer I spent the whole month of December that year 5 days a week getting Radiation treatment by the worst situation was the Bypass as I had to get my butt walking so slowly and feeling like a weak kitten. She made sure I had my progress every day and especially those days when I just wanted to pull the cover over my head and disappear. She also made come incredible meals for me. What a champion human being I married.
This year you should try to make it to the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR as the main focus will be how to make that career in marketing yourself as a Guitarist! I already paid for my week's stay and I think I will go to the GFA for the fun of it. You won't see me at the Guitar Society either as I really concentrate on things I need to address as I work on myself. There are so many things I yet have to get done and this recent bout in the hospital opened my eyes to a few important things in life.
I have just received a new CD from my dear colleague in Germany PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN and will be reviewing it in my next post. I listened to the hour long CD from 12:30 to 01:30 am this morning and am excited to bring you this review. As you know I have covered this great artist before and believe she is a magical player who will cast a magical musical glow over all who experience her artistry so stay tuned to the Donnie Channel !
I must thank the great and beautiful DAVID LEISNER for remembering my birthday on FACE BOOK! LOVE YOU BUDDIE!!!
A big shout out goes to the great publisher of CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE, MAURICE SUMMERFIELD who will be honored at the GFA this year. Thanks Maurice for my monthly pages of Guitar Joy!
My sadness for not attending the concert of one of my guitar heroes - GOHAR VARDANYAN! I was too weak to travel anywhere after being in the hospital for the preceding week but I know she glowed like the great jewel she is!!!!
You must check out the new pod casts produced BRET WILLIAMS. His 1st show interviewed my dear colleague JULIA CROWE! What an incredible person she is! In the second interview, Bret interviewed the great young virtuoso RUPERT BOYD! Rupert is really way up there near the top of the list of great artists and such a sweet young man. I have been a great fan of his for over decade and if you ever get a chance to hear him R U S H TO GET THAT TICKET! This young man has it all together. WWW.RUPERTBOYD.COM.
I think that is it for now kiddies! It is 4:04 Saturday Morning and I as PUMPED up to get back here in business.
FORBES HENDERSON in England! I have not forgotten you! I will be doing our thing with the mister BACH in due time.
As I remember England, I must hug DAVID CASWELL for being such a wonderful artist! I spent some quality time with DAVID who is a monster Player when I attended WEST DEAN in 1997/1999. I have a cassette of us playing for each other that hits all 10's! Thanks DAVID.
When my wife and I vacationed in Puerto Rico, I had the great joy of visiting two great artists : ERNESTO CORDERO and JUAN SORROCHE!!! I spent a wonderful evening with Maestro Cordero that I will never forget.His hospitality was amazing and he treated me like a king!!! When I was able to catch JUAN SORROCHE at the University of Puerto Rico, he spent about and hour with me as he read through his wonderful compositions for me! That is one of the reasons why I am taking off the next two years from the New York Guitar scene. I want to present a Puerto Rican Guitar program ( which I promised to both of these greats ). Need the time to prepare. Outside of some native Puerto Rican artists, hardly any one is playing their beautiful. I just received an email from Maestro Cordero a couple of days ago with a video of a new work. I am humbled that he took the time to contact me.
My stay in the hospital slapped me silly with thoughts of things I should concentrate on from here in and I made a mental list of what I want to get done and promises to keep so here I go.Thanks for letting me air this online and I hope to be a valuable voice in our Classical/Jazz Guitar world.
DONNIE GUITAR!!!
p.s. I cannot leave this without hugging my dear and loving wife who has stood by me.This July will be our 26th wedding anniversary. We have been been together 28 years!! W H E W !!! I am a lucky man to have such an incredible human being as my wife is and I know she can't stand my shouting her praises to such a public audience, but I dearly love this special human being and I almost daily tell her I don't deserve her but I do my best to please her. WHAT A PAIR!!! She has stood by me for: a stent implant,Quadruple bypass,Prostate Cancer and two nasty bouts with diabetic complications. When I had the Prostate Cancer I spent the whole month of December that year 5 days a week getting Radiation treatment by the worst situation was the Bypass as I had to get my butt walking so slowly and feeling like a weak kitten. She made sure I had my progress every day and especially those days when I just wanted to pull the cover over my head and disappear. She also made come incredible meals for me. What a champion human being I married.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Mr. "100" does Grand Central Station February
This past Friday February 1st, I performed as part of the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Grand Central Station. I consider this a great honor as played my heart out from 3pm to 6pm at the Graybar Building. This was under my regular gigs as part of The "Music Under New York" program of the New York City Transit Authority. As I write this post at 7:39am Sunday Morning the 3rd, I will be popping out to do a 9am to12pm gig at Penn Station. I will be 63 in April and just keep getting better and better as I keep learning more about our fabulous instrument!!!
Since I only have a couple of minutes to write this, I need to let you know that I just watched a really precious documentary on the Legendary Brazilian Great BADEN POWELL on You Tube. Go and check out "O Univera Musical De Baden Powell ". It runs for 54:23 and I just watched the whole video and took notes! I was turned on to Baden when as a teenager I befriended the great CHARLIE BYRD. He played at the Plaza Hotel ( 59th Street across the street from central park). Charlie and I spoke after his gig and he invited me up to his Hotel Room the next day and we talked and played for each other and it was at that time he said he had just come back from Brazil and I MUST check out this guy - BADEN POWELL!!!!! Well that started a lifelong love and collection of the great Maestro. Sorry this has to be cut short but it is time to dress for the gig. See you later today as I continued this lucky life of mine!.
DONNIE GUITAR
Since I only have a couple of minutes to write this, I need to let you know that I just watched a really precious documentary on the Legendary Brazilian Great BADEN POWELL on You Tube. Go and check out "O Univera Musical De Baden Powell ". It runs for 54:23 and I just watched the whole video and took notes! I was turned on to Baden when as a teenager I befriended the great CHARLIE BYRD. He played at the Plaza Hotel ( 59th Street across the street from central park). Charlie and I spoke after his gig and he invited me up to his Hotel Room the next day and we talked and played for each other and it was at that time he said he had just come back from Brazil and I MUST check out this guy - BADEN POWELL!!!!! Well that started a lifelong love and collection of the great Maestro. Sorry this has to be cut short but it is time to dress for the gig. See you later today as I continued this lucky life of mine!.
DONNIE GUITAR
Monday, January 14, 2013
More to Come from the DONNIE EXPRESS
Over the last week there was so much happening and I decided that I could not get to it all but I did get to see two long time buddies" MICHAEL CEDRIC SMITH and ARYEH ELLER this past Friday Night in their First Duo Concert together and yesterday one of the truly great young concert artists whom I have known for a couple of Decades - DANIEL LIPPLE gave us an extraordinary concert that really rocked on a 1998 ROBERT RUCK Guitar. More about both concerts in separate reviews. I must ask forgiveness for not attending the brilliant Guitar/Flute ARC DUO. I had too much on my plate both having two gigs on their concert day leaving me drained.
I have more interviews and reviews coming to you folks. I have my "To DO" list right here at the computer and will get to all of my promises!
I will be seeing you all at the GFA in a few months. Don't know if I will be going as a competitor but will be there because my man Eliot Fisk and Anielo Desiderio will be kicking serious Guitar butt and I want to be there for all the fireworks!!!
I also am gathering a list of sites you should know about to sharpen your playing. I sincerely believe that you should all learn to cross fertilize your playing by learning different styles of guitar playing.
I am devoting this year to me becoming the best I can be.I was destroyed and heartbroken at the recent GFA SYMPOSIUM here in New York when I was not chosen to perform at the evening concert. I played a perfect medley of pieces by Brazilian Virtuoso LUIZ BONFA in an effort to give them something special and was on the top of my game both musically and technically. My friends and colleagues DR. ANA MARIA ROSADO and DENNIS KOSTER came over to me when they saw I was going to audition and told me to "GIVE THEM HELL DONNIE". When I didn't get a slot, I was stunned and deeply hurt so I left. I was supposed to play in the Guitar Orchestra and do an interview about playing in ensembles.Here I was with many of my colleagues here including FRED HAND whom I attended Mannes College with in 1967-1968 and ANDREW YORK whom I have known for a couple of decades. The two judges are well known and I will not name them. They know who they are and one of them I have had difficulty with before involving and incredibly gifted virtuoso artist from Germany. My best revenge is to make sure I embarrass them with my playing. I have been on the New York Classical and Jazz Guitar Scene since 1962/1963 and have studied with the finest Classical and Jazz Guitarists in history both here and abroad and I am physically ill as I remember that day. I was humiliated beyond belief and probably should not even say something on this international platform about this incident but this moment haunts me deeply and these two judges will hear from me in the future as I will prevail in front of their eyes.
Sorry I had to state this but I am decently respected by quite a few people around the world and I have given my heart and soul to this great and noble instrument and that was just not right! Enough for now. I will continue to let my playing talk volumes.
Hugs to MAURICE SUMMERFIELD and that noble magazine CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE for making me love the Classical Guitar and it's various avenues of information as we are kept abreast of all the daily happenings around the world with our great instrument. This year if I stay in decent health and step on the gas peddle, I hope to devote several posts to the great articles contained in this wonderful magazine. I call it my "MONTHLY PAGES OF JOY".
Folks for some Great Guitar fun you should pick up a copy of "My FIRST GUITAR" by Classical Guitar Magazine columnist JULIA CROWE ( Letter from New York). A great Read!
When is my buddy HUBERT KAPPEL coming back this way to stun us with his virtuosity? How about the GREEK PHENOM COSTAS COTSIOLIS!
Folks it is crazy trying to travel these days! Every year I try to go to the most prominent Festival that would feed my hunger for more learning and the tickets for air fare kicks my butt heavily! It is a tough world our there especially for all the young and gifted kids trying to start their concert careers. I feel for you all. There are so many details you have to attend to and even when you think things are covered, out of nowhere you are shot down by weather, unforeseen obstacles and just bad luck. You must maintain your passion and continue to march to your goals. I will try to make people aware of you this year through this blog.
If I had the money, I would fund one of our young tigers to record all of the SEGOVIA ARCHIVE . Angelo Gilardino will be here for a couple of days at the Manhattan School of Music next month and I will speak to him about that possibility ( Not me) How about my superman Guitarist JORGE CABALLERO? Pay him some good bucks and let him loose!
What about the great body of work composed by MARIO CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO! So many delicious pieces unplayed!!!!! How about the PUERTO RICAN GUITAR? ERNESTO CORDERO and JUAN SORROCHE ?
I wish there was a Classical/Jazz Guitar magazine devoted to Female Guitarists!
It is a shame WORLD GUITARIST is down the tubes! That was a great and supportive site!
I miss ROSE AUGUSTINE! I knew her since the early 60s and in fact played for a special concert at her original string factory when she recovered one of her rare Guitars. I loved that woman dearly and was stunned that week she died because I had just visited her at her factory and she was coughing and told me she had that cough for a couple of weeks. I would have been at her wake that Friday night if I had known. She died in the beginning of that week and I was on several discussion groups and no one mentioned it. I found out Saturday night when Eliot Fisk announced it from his concert stage!!! We have got to band together in our Guitar community. This woman was a Saint for us and I don't know how Guitar Review is doing without her.
Congratulations for my buddy JOAO LUIZ of the Fabulous Brazil Guitar Duo on receiving a teaching post at New Jersey City! What a genius this kid is!!!!
Celil Rafik-Kaya is a monster player and get to one of his concerts and check him out. You will by amazed!!
That's it for now. It is 1:28 am Tuesday and I have a gig later today and should get some sleep but must spread some thoughts out there.
Garrett Lee makes a fantastic guitar. Just ask my school buddy FRED HAND!!! And let me make Garrett Blush by letting you know that he is one hell of a guitarist! What a beautiful player and master Luthier. Go to his website! W O W !!!!!! Really super detailed and awe inspiring!!!
I have several Newly released CDs by several colleagues I will be reviewing so be on the lookout!
German Virtuoso PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN will soon be releasing a new CD and I can't wait to review that! She is a great artist deserving to be better known around the Guitar globe!
DR. ANA MARIA ROSADO!!!! Fantastic human being and superb concert Artist. I was at her first concert here in the United States when she came from Puerto Rico. It was held here in Brooklyn at Prospect Park at "The Boat House" . Check out her You Tube Videos. She gave an awesome Lecture/Demo of Latin American Rhythms at the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR a couple of years ago and plays Guitars by one of our greatest Luthiers CANADIAN DARYL PERRY. We should have DR. ROSADO at the top of our list of "GREAT ONES".
See ya soon kiddies!@!
I have more interviews and reviews coming to you folks. I have my "To DO" list right here at the computer and will get to all of my promises!
I will be seeing you all at the GFA in a few months. Don't know if I will be going as a competitor but will be there because my man Eliot Fisk and Anielo Desiderio will be kicking serious Guitar butt and I want to be there for all the fireworks!!!
I also am gathering a list of sites you should know about to sharpen your playing. I sincerely believe that you should all learn to cross fertilize your playing by learning different styles of guitar playing.
I am devoting this year to me becoming the best I can be.I was destroyed and heartbroken at the recent GFA SYMPOSIUM here in New York when I was not chosen to perform at the evening concert. I played a perfect medley of pieces by Brazilian Virtuoso LUIZ BONFA in an effort to give them something special and was on the top of my game both musically and technically. My friends and colleagues DR. ANA MARIA ROSADO and DENNIS KOSTER came over to me when they saw I was going to audition and told me to "GIVE THEM HELL DONNIE". When I didn't get a slot, I was stunned and deeply hurt so I left. I was supposed to play in the Guitar Orchestra and do an interview about playing in ensembles.Here I was with many of my colleagues here including FRED HAND whom I attended Mannes College with in 1967-1968 and ANDREW YORK whom I have known for a couple of decades. The two judges are well known and I will not name them. They know who they are and one of them I have had difficulty with before involving and incredibly gifted virtuoso artist from Germany. My best revenge is to make sure I embarrass them with my playing. I have been on the New York Classical and Jazz Guitar Scene since 1962/1963 and have studied with the finest Classical and Jazz Guitarists in history both here and abroad and I am physically ill as I remember that day. I was humiliated beyond belief and probably should not even say something on this international platform about this incident but this moment haunts me deeply and these two judges will hear from me in the future as I will prevail in front of their eyes.
Sorry I had to state this but I am decently respected by quite a few people around the world and I have given my heart and soul to this great and noble instrument and that was just not right! Enough for now. I will continue to let my playing talk volumes.
Hugs to MAURICE SUMMERFIELD and that noble magazine CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE for making me love the Classical Guitar and it's various avenues of information as we are kept abreast of all the daily happenings around the world with our great instrument. This year if I stay in decent health and step on the gas peddle, I hope to devote several posts to the great articles contained in this wonderful magazine. I call it my "MONTHLY PAGES OF JOY".
Folks for some Great Guitar fun you should pick up a copy of "My FIRST GUITAR" by Classical Guitar Magazine columnist JULIA CROWE ( Letter from New York). A great Read!
When is my buddy HUBERT KAPPEL coming back this way to stun us with his virtuosity? How about the GREEK PHENOM COSTAS COTSIOLIS!
Folks it is crazy trying to travel these days! Every year I try to go to the most prominent Festival that would feed my hunger for more learning and the tickets for air fare kicks my butt heavily! It is a tough world our there especially for all the young and gifted kids trying to start their concert careers. I feel for you all. There are so many details you have to attend to and even when you think things are covered, out of nowhere you are shot down by weather, unforeseen obstacles and just bad luck. You must maintain your passion and continue to march to your goals. I will try to make people aware of you this year through this blog.
If I had the money, I would fund one of our young tigers to record all of the SEGOVIA ARCHIVE . Angelo Gilardino will be here for a couple of days at the Manhattan School of Music next month and I will speak to him about that possibility ( Not me) How about my superman Guitarist JORGE CABALLERO? Pay him some good bucks and let him loose!
What about the great body of work composed by MARIO CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO! So many delicious pieces unplayed!!!!! How about the PUERTO RICAN GUITAR? ERNESTO CORDERO and JUAN SORROCHE ?
I wish there was a Classical/Jazz Guitar magazine devoted to Female Guitarists!
It is a shame WORLD GUITARIST is down the tubes! That was a great and supportive site!
I miss ROSE AUGUSTINE! I knew her since the early 60s and in fact played for a special concert at her original string factory when she recovered one of her rare Guitars. I loved that woman dearly and was stunned that week she died because I had just visited her at her factory and she was coughing and told me she had that cough for a couple of weeks. I would have been at her wake that Friday night if I had known. She died in the beginning of that week and I was on several discussion groups and no one mentioned it. I found out Saturday night when Eliot Fisk announced it from his concert stage!!! We have got to band together in our Guitar community. This woman was a Saint for us and I don't know how Guitar Review is doing without her.
Congratulations for my buddy JOAO LUIZ of the Fabulous Brazil Guitar Duo on receiving a teaching post at New Jersey City! What a genius this kid is!!!!
Celil Rafik-Kaya is a monster player and get to one of his concerts and check him out. You will by amazed!!
That's it for now. It is 1:28 am Tuesday and I have a gig later today and should get some sleep but must spread some thoughts out there.
Garrett Lee makes a fantastic guitar. Just ask my school buddy FRED HAND!!! And let me make Garrett Blush by letting you know that he is one hell of a guitarist! What a beautiful player and master Luthier. Go to his website! W O W !!!!!! Really super detailed and awe inspiring!!!
I have several Newly released CDs by several colleagues I will be reviewing so be on the lookout!
German Virtuoso PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN will soon be releasing a new CD and I can't wait to review that! She is a great artist deserving to be better known around the Guitar globe!
DR. ANA MARIA ROSADO!!!! Fantastic human being and superb concert Artist. I was at her first concert here in the United States when she came from Puerto Rico. It was held here in Brooklyn at Prospect Park at "The Boat House" . Check out her You Tube Videos. She gave an awesome Lecture/Demo of Latin American Rhythms at the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR a couple of years ago and plays Guitars by one of our greatest Luthiers CANADIAN DARYL PERRY. We should have DR. ROSADO at the top of our list of "GREAT ONES".
See ya soon kiddies!@!
international Guitar Night at The Blue Note! Part #1
I just came back from the Blue Note Jazz Club where I sat right at the stage for an A W E S O M E International Guitar Night which included the following great Virtuoso Guitarists: BRIAN GORE , MARTIN TAYLOR, CELSO MICHADO and SOLORAZAF! Before I jump up and down in my post I must say that this was my second International Guitar Night put together by Fingerstyle guitarist BRIAN GORE. My first was last year at a Club called The Highlight. My reason for going last year was two of my favorite guitar Monsters of two different Guitar disciplines : Adrian Legg and Marco Pereira. They were joined last year by an awesome Gypsy Jazz Guitarist - Lulo Reinhardt who was simply A M A Z I N G !!!
Tonight's Guitar night was another HUMDINGER!!!!! As is the established format, Brain is the leader who starts off by playing 3 compositions and each Virtuoso in turn follows with three selections and that is followed by the stage with all 4 guitarists playing various groupings. I just wanted to kick off a two part report on this great event with some observations on my part and in part two I will share my notes with you on performance details!
I, as usual showed up a couple of hours early so I could get my meal eaten and of course get a prime seat. I get so anxious that I rest most of the day so my concentration can be razor sharp.Doors opened at 6pm and I was in at 6:15, so I had no problem getting a great seat for the 8pm performance. I was at the Club last night and was going to treat myself to John Pizzarelli and Ramsey Lewis, but there was only standing room at the bar available. I had planned to catch them then head over to The Fat Cat club for a 9:30 to 1am gig by the great Sheryl Bailey. I skipped both due to the dead time in between gigs which made me want tonight's special gig even more attractive. We are so lucky here in New York to be able to enjoy so many musical events. Anyway I had the company at my table of a young kid who sat across from me just before starting time but before that,a couple sat next to me and the wife ( Alice ) introduced her and husband to me and we spent some time getting acquainted. What a lovely twosome. We were joined by another young man who is a computer specialist and it seems that Alice's husband is a professor in the Sciences so he and the young man had a stimulating discussion about their work. Heavy duty talk here!!! Back to the gig. Starting with Brian, as I noticed last year, his playing of steel string acoustic guitar is so beautiful! I am a stickler for beautiful tone and his is so full and round. He spends most of his articulation with the hand mid hole. I should have asked him the name of the Luthier! What a joy to listen to.The new kid on the block was this great Guitarist/singer from Madagascar SOLORAZAF! He played a "souped up" what looked like a "TRAVEL" guitar but what a great and beautiful sound. Then Brain anointed Martin Taylor as Guitar King. Martin's big super career has been long and distinguished which as a young kid made him a household name when he toured with the legendary STEPHAN GRAPELLI for several years. The other notable Guitarist who coupled with the greatness of Grapelli was legendary DJANGO REINHARDT!!!!! Last on the end was the Brilliant Guitarist and percussionist CELSO MACHADO!!! What a tremendous ball of creativity this man is! I've known about him for quite a few years and heard him in concert at the 92nd street "Y" at a Brazilian Guitar Marathon. I will have more about this astounding artist in part two where I get in down to the business of describing all the little details of their performances! The only thing that plagues the BLUE NOTE are the small tables but I will say that the staff is thoroughly professional,cheerful and super quick with your food/drink service. They only employ the finest musicians in the world so it is worth it to spend some big bucks for a special musical experience. Stay tuned for part 2 of my review. It is 12.03 Tuesday morning and I just want to take a break and get myself ready for it. Getting my little note book and figuring out how much to clobber you with! It's all good folks and I am excited to be able to share my experience with you. SEE YA SOON!
Tonight's Guitar night was another HUMDINGER!!!!! As is the established format, Brain is the leader who starts off by playing 3 compositions and each Virtuoso in turn follows with three selections and that is followed by the stage with all 4 guitarists playing various groupings. I just wanted to kick off a two part report on this great event with some observations on my part and in part two I will share my notes with you on performance details!
I, as usual showed up a couple of hours early so I could get my meal eaten and of course get a prime seat. I get so anxious that I rest most of the day so my concentration can be razor sharp.Doors opened at 6pm and I was in at 6:15, so I had no problem getting a great seat for the 8pm performance. I was at the Club last night and was going to treat myself to John Pizzarelli and Ramsey Lewis, but there was only standing room at the bar available. I had planned to catch them then head over to The Fat Cat club for a 9:30 to 1am gig by the great Sheryl Bailey. I skipped both due to the dead time in between gigs which made me want tonight's special gig even more attractive. We are so lucky here in New York to be able to enjoy so many musical events. Anyway I had the company at my table of a young kid who sat across from me just before starting time but before that,a couple sat next to me and the wife ( Alice ) introduced her and husband to me and we spent some time getting acquainted. What a lovely twosome. We were joined by another young man who is a computer specialist and it seems that Alice's husband is a professor in the Sciences so he and the young man had a stimulating discussion about their work. Heavy duty talk here!!! Back to the gig. Starting with Brian, as I noticed last year, his playing of steel string acoustic guitar is so beautiful! I am a stickler for beautiful tone and his is so full and round. He spends most of his articulation with the hand mid hole. I should have asked him the name of the Luthier! What a joy to listen to.The new kid on the block was this great Guitarist/singer from Madagascar SOLORAZAF! He played a "souped up" what looked like a "TRAVEL" guitar but what a great and beautiful sound. Then Brain anointed Martin Taylor as Guitar King. Martin's big super career has been long and distinguished which as a young kid made him a household name when he toured with the legendary STEPHAN GRAPELLI for several years. The other notable Guitarist who coupled with the greatness of Grapelli was legendary DJANGO REINHARDT!!!!! Last on the end was the Brilliant Guitarist and percussionist CELSO MACHADO!!! What a tremendous ball of creativity this man is! I've known about him for quite a few years and heard him in concert at the 92nd street "Y" at a Brazilian Guitar Marathon. I will have more about this astounding artist in part two where I get in down to the business of describing all the little details of their performances! The only thing that plagues the BLUE NOTE are the small tables but I will say that the staff is thoroughly professional,cheerful and super quick with your food/drink service. They only employ the finest musicians in the world so it is worth it to spend some big bucks for a special musical experience. Stay tuned for part 2 of my review. It is 12.03 Tuesday morning and I just want to take a break and get myself ready for it. Getting my little note book and figuring out how much to clobber you with! It's all good folks and I am excited to be able to share my experience with you. SEE YA SOON!
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