The Mannes Guitar Seminar July 5-10 2011

I will be reporting on the fabulous 2011 Mannes Guitar Seminar over the next few weeks on my blogg here and various sites on the internet. As an active artist on the New York Classical and Jazz Guitar Scene since 1963, these reports will mark my return to my craft of reporting since my open heart surgery this past March 21st. The seminar had some of my dearest friends from the Classical Guitar scene in New York including one of the greatest Guitarists on the planet : FREDERIC HAND. Fred and I attended Mannes in 1968 and we were able to spend some quality moments reliving special events in that year including a visit from legendary Virtuoso ARTHUR RUBENSTEIN!

The artistic directors,MICHAEL NEWMAN and LAURA OLTMAN, delivered another flawless series of Concerts and workshops in the most positive setting and I will take my time in reporting on the wonderful events. This year I came in as a full participant only side stepping my 2 master classes as I am preparing for some non Classical Gigs and needed my head clear of a Master Class Head! I did participate in a guitar ensemble with some outstanding young kids who should go far in the Classical Guitar world. It contained an exceptional Guitar Duo who I will report on soon! We actually had a great time in our sessions together and I wish we had more to play.

I look forward to sharing this great festival with you as it was TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!

Back in the Saddle again.

My recovery has been going ok and I returned to performances on Monday June 6 by performing at "THE TASTE OF TIMES SQUARE" Celebration.I performed from 5 to 9 pm right at the beginning of the event. The following week I returned to my regular job at "MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK",limiting myself to every other day in short traveling distance. I will be attending and reporting on the MANNES GUITAR SEMINAR both here on my blogg and hopefully for one of the Guitar Periodicals. I'm trying to give a day by day overview and hope I have enough energy to do a fine job. I have covered several seminars in the past and know that it will take all of my guts and energy to write my report in the way that I want to, so let's hope for the best. I would hope that the readers get a chance to attend some of the events because there are great classes and concerts by some great players.Go to the Seminar website for more information (www.mannes.edu/guitar or call 212.580.0210 x4883).There are 3 artists who I highly recommend you run to their concerts: JORGE CABALLERRO,RENE IZQUIERDA & SONIA HERNANDEZ. These 3 kids are really SUPER! JORGE is one of the greats even at his young age. He is in a class by himself! RENE is no slouch either! His name should be better known because he is great. SONIA HERNANDEZ is another young genius. At least a decade ago I actually attended her New York Debut at Weill Recital Hall and interviewed her on tape. I know I have that tape here somewhere! I have to get up to speed on some of the other artists. The professors MICHAEL NEWMAN and LAURA OLTMAN I have known for most of their life! I was at Michaels first public performance when he was 13 held at a Church on 13th Street off of 6th avenue! At that time, he was the most advanced student of the Great ALBERT VALDES-BLAIN ( and so was I for a couple of lessons!). Because of his slight build and massive virtuoso chops, he scared the crap out of the Classical Guitar crowd! I also Attended the 1st Masterclass Given by JACK DUARTE,Guitarst and better known as composer. That year - I believe 1973, at the now defunct GUITAR WORKSHOP in Oyster Bay Long Island, Michael stunned all in attendance with his Masterful performances. His sharp wit was mistaken for some as Smart alec arrogance! I knew better because there was Mike with pad and pencil, taking down every single comment made by both Duarte and I believe Jerry Willard. I even met his sweet wife LAURA OLTMAN when they 1st started dating before getting married! I would direct you to their website to find out more about this great performance and organizing team - WWW.GUITARDUO.COM ! They are both gems of Artistry and humanity as witnessed by me last year when I covered the Guitar Festival of the CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY OF UPSTATE NEW YORK! They were on hand to support three of their sudents who were in a special "HONORS STUDENT RECITAL"! I was seated in my usual front row seat when they came in and uttered "DON! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE"! I repeated the same words to which they replied" We came to support our students"! That loving care made my heart melt.At the end of that concert, we all hung out on main street at a nice Chinese Restaurant and walked their students to the bus stop and hugged them good bye! I love these two extraordinary people and the quality of this Seminar is the highest you can achieve because of these superlative human beings. Their supporting staff is also excellent in each and every way and has always given their all to do one hell of a great job so I hope you can get to some of the concerts or workshops. This years' topic is "HANDS ON" which will concentrate on how to get those hands of yours in top shape for playing out great instrument. Speak to you soon. By the way, if you see any misprints in this post, blame it on my opthamologist. I just came back from a series of Dye Injected eye pictures so my sight is not all there but I wanted to let you know I'm up and around.Hope this isn't rambling too much as I am having fun assembling these random thoughts as I look forward to reporting on more guitar topics. Hope you keep learning out there and I want to thank all of you how have sent wonderfull cards, called and e-mailed me during this recovery period PLUS ABOVE ALL- My great wife has really nutured me in every way especially with her totally outrageously fine culinary expertise! I really hit the jackpot finding this woman to be my mate in life. I can never really repay her for all she has done for me and with me.THANK YOU HONEY!

Quadruple bypass and Me

A few weeks ago I underwent Quadruple Bypass Surgery and am now in recovery. The operation went well and per my Cardiologist and Surgeon, my progress is great. It's so wierd not to be able to run around town to my gigs and having to walk so slowly during this recovery period only around the neighborhood but I see this as a new lease on life. My wife Heidi has been outstanding in helping me cope with the ups and downs of this ordeal and I owe her a tremendous dept of gratitude and I tell her every day- especially when I have a depressed period and snap at her. I should be back in the playing gigs form in another 2 or so months. Until then I have to walk and get this body used to the new veins pumping that blood around the body. I thank my dear friends Sue Wall,Dennis Koster, Jerry Willard and Gene Bertoncini plus my dear 1st Guitar teacher Dennis Turecheck for staying in touch with me plus all my dear comrades at MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK for some special get well cards. I want to get back to some posting of Guitar thoughts as I must take it easy so I hope that will get underway to lift my spirits!

I can't believe how time just zips by!

I'm still here! It is already the end of November and I am still out there playing my butt off. I have been studying like a monster but have not been up to blogging since my last input. I have so much to tell you but am in the realm of " Does anyone really want to hear this stuff?". It seems that I was asked to join a special site to share my writings. That was nice to see and maybe that will prod my desire to share. I don't have the time now but will try again to get myself on track with this blog and others on the web. Pia Gazarek-Offermann is awaiting some continuation of my coverage of her brilliant career. I have not been getting out to many concerts as I try to finally get to the best of my playing. There is awlays so much to learn and I am trying to curb my stupendous appetite for catching up with my teaching videos. There are so many nights when, while my sweet wife sleeps, I am hunched over my guitar in front of my tv trying to teach myself yet another guitar technique! I just want to cram all of these great guitar lessons down my throat! Alas,there is no magic pill that will speed up the process. I have gotta put the time in but am having the time of my life learning so much guitar! Anyway, time to take a break from the meat of tonight's work! I will see how it turns out and hope that you folks are applying yourselves to the best guitar tasks you can! See you soon right here on my blog.

DONNIE AT FALL GUITAR FESTIVAL WITH BEN VERDERY

My last blogg left you expecting a review of the Great Ben Verdery concert.I was undecided about attending the Fall Guitar Festival October 2/3 which would feature Ben as guest artist and decided after his Rubin Museum Concert that I would attend. You will be getting a mouthful from me about the Fall Guitar Festival presented by the Classical Guitar Society of Upstate New York! It was P H E N O M I N A L !!!!!!
There were so many great young virtuosos and a couple of seriously outstanding Classical Guitar Luthiers!! This Festival has been my darling love for the last 10 years. I have attended 8 out of the 10 years because it is a pure love of the instrument that the people in this neck of the woods have and my first Classical Guitar teacher,DENNIS TURECHECK has led the Society to great hights over his tenure.He is retiring as President of the Society,so with that,the 10th anniversary and Benjamin Verdery my lost twin brother,you know I had to be there!!!! I look forward to sharing all the great stuff that occured this weekend. I also have not forgotten about my dear German Friend PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN,so it looks like the crazy man will have his job cut out for him.Thank you all for your patience with me.

Time Flys!

I can't believe that my last post was July 28th. Just to let you know I have been working on my post of the Great German Guitarist,Pia Gazarek-Offermann. We have exchanged e-mails recently as I am beginning to firm up the content of my review. There are many angles I am looking at and I only want the best of my ideas to grace this blog. Just to let you know that I am still playing around town as part of Music Under New York. I have just started my "60th BIRTHDAY CONCERT TOUR" of the Public Library System and for the next year will continue to spread these concerts out over hopefully all 5 boros of New York!

Last night Sunday,September 26th, BEN VERDERY gave one hell of a great Concert at the RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART in Manhatten.I will post a review either later today or tomorrow.I have known Ben since the mid 70's. This man is a genius in every which way and we must be proud that he is using our great instrument to strut his stuff!!! At 55 he continues to show us the way in so many areas. He is one of the greatest instrumentalists in HISTORY! What a creative composer!He has such a wonderful sense of humor.I was in my usual seat right under him,front row center and just ATE IT UP!!! This was the 1st concert in which I did not write notes. I just enjoyed watching him work that 2002/2003 Greg Smallman and Sons Cedar Topped Guitar. He let me taste it just after he received it in 2002 and it was a JEWEL! Easy to play no matter what you had to do! When you have a Guitar like this, you can have the whole gamut of musical expression ready at your fingertips and Ben surely showed us this facility all evening! It didn't matter if he had to make a super pianissimo or a spine shaking rasgueado, the guitar said "NO SWEAT"!.I thoroughly enjoyed just watching those hands work their magic with the music! Shadings,colors,apt tempos- everything was top notch! Ben has so many pots cooking on his musical stove all of the time that it is amazing that he has time to sleep and eat plus be a parent and husband! Several decades ago, Ben distinguished himself as a great interpreter of BACH and started his Concert tonight with the 6th Cello Suite. What a glorious performance he gave especially of the Sarabande which was so deep and moving.I was honored to be a part of the audience as this Concert was especially prepared to reflect the content of the present exhibition. I will get more into this when I deliver the review later. Any Benjamin Verdery performance is worth breaking your neck to get to,so don't ever miss him!!!!. Speak to you in a few.

Yes I AM STILL HERE!

That is what I am asking myself these days. I last left you promising to get back to you about the wonderful performances of two exceptional artists: PIA GAZAREK - OFFERMANN AND ANA VIDOVIC! My dear Pia has been anxious to check out my review of her great performances at The New York Classical Guitar Society and The Long Island Guitar Festival. Let me say that it was a rare treat to hear such an incredibly sensitive artist share her immense and deep musicality with us. Her encore of a simple Etude by Fernando Sor transported us into another world as inner voices fluttered like the wings of gentle butterflys! Her masterful performances left all saying "WHY HAVE WE NOT HEARD ABOUT HER"! Her ascent into the limelight has been delayed due to familial obligations setting her career back several times.She now is going full speed ahead and alarming all who hear her because her mastery of both Music and Guitar,will leave you so touched and moved that you will crave more and more. I am presently working on the review of her concerts and will offer you a great glimpse into the mind of a very, very special artist!

ANA VIDOVIC has taken the Classical Guitar world by storm over the last several
years! She is an incredibly gifted artist in every way and what an incredibly beautiful and thoughtful person! I have been lucky to have known her for several years and I even had the care free nerve to ask her to marry me during a concert for the Upstate Classical Guitar Society a couple of years ago! ( I was of course joking but that comment mirroed the thoughts of all the guitar playing/loving males in the room!).Those of you who know me know that I never hold back my thoughts about people who touch me deeply! ANA VIDOVIC deserves every single accolade she has received because it is all true! Take, for instance,her performance at the Long Island Guitar Festival! After completely sending us to heaven with her fantastic concert, she asked the audience "What would you like to hear?". I didn't need to attend her Sunday Masterclass as I have been to a couple over the years and know that she has a gentle and loving way with her students. This woman also has a stage aura that just glows. Every gown I have seen her in has been so beautiful and she looks model perfect in them all! Her beauty is natural and I told her a couple of times over the years that she doesn't need any makeup at all! Let me tell you that she always serves the main intention of each composition she plays. She will not play anything she does not love just to fill out a program. I will relay to you that when she played a concert here in New York a year or so ago , she chose to play some Tarrega because she loves his works. I heard that some people walked out of her concert exclaiming that it was beneath her to play such trivial pieces! I am glad I was not at that concert because I would have given them a piece of my mind. At this time, Dear Ana is incredibly popular because she has it all: Fantastic Viruosity,Top Shelf Musicianship,Great Beauty and Darling personality. I've told her that I hope she never changes because she is such a lovely person and great example of a great artist and warm human being! I am glad she has been a part of my life over the past few years and I hope to continue our friendship till I kick the bucket!

Let me end this post by getting back to you about PIA GAZAREK-OFFERMANN.She will cast a spell on you when you get a chance to experience her mind blowing depth of artistry. This wonderful artist and beautiful human being, will have you travel to every nook and cranie of the musical world.I will be doing my best to have her better known by you all over the next year or so. I have taken my time to write about her because I am trying to figure out what is the best way to open you into her magnificent musical aura! I interviewed her a couple of times during her one week stay here in New York and have so much material that I am slapping my head to make sense of it all.I want to do her justice because she is one of our Classical Guitar World's great treasures! Mark my words: "WE ARE IN THE COMPANY OF GREATNESS IN THE PERSON OF PIA GAZAREK OFFERMANN!". Here I am at 4:36 am Wednesday morning tearing up my keyboard feeling good once again about this wonderful and facinating world of the Classical Guitar. I will not give you a timeline on the final post of the concert reviews of these two exceptional artists as I can't trust myself these days as I drift in and out of depression about the world situations. There is so much that has made me so sad and depressed about the Wars,Oil Spill,Haiti,New Orleans, our so called Leaders and generally people killing and harming each other. I will tell you that at times I feel like ending it all so I don't have to witness yet another bad thing that bumans do to each other, the animals, the earth!! What keeps me from not taking that terrible step is the sanity of MUSIC and the deep and enduring love of my lovely wife! When I yet leave my house for another gig-especially when I really would rather lie in bed and feel sad,I get immediate feedback when I touch the strings of my instrument and do my best to conquer this negative world of ours! On my darkest days, someone always take a second or two to let me know that my music making matters. Being 60 may have a little to do with it in that I have not truly made the mark I want to make in my music,so am in the mist of finally being all that I "Should have been"! Stay tuned because my best is yet to come!! Till next post, may you all keep the child-like wonder for this instrument alive and growing.