Month August 2017

Canadiana by Emma Rush

Canadiana by Emma RushRecorded at Central Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, ON.  Produced and engineered by Kirk Starkey.  Art, photography, and design by Richard Talbot. Buy or listen at: Emma Rush or Amazon Canadian guitarist Emma Rush recently released a fantastic…

Michael Ibsen Plays Rodrigo, Assad, and Loch Lomond

Canadian guitarist Michael Ibsen plays Junto al Generalife by Joaquin Rodrigo, Dreams and Farewell by Sergio Assad, and The Bonnie Bonnie Banks O’ Loch Lomond arranged by David Russell. These come via his YouTube channel with video work by the amazing…

Diandra Aruna Mahira Plays Sainz de la Maza

Amazing 12 year old, Indonesian guitarist Diandra Aruna Mahira plays Zapateado by Sainz de la Maza (1896–1981). This comes via the Paris Guitar Foundation and their YouTube channel series. The PGF Series, directed by Augustin Pesnon, continues to impress with high quality videos and…

Nicola Montella plays Scarlatti Sonata K. 32

Nicola Montella plays Sonata L. 423 (K.32) by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757). This comes via Siccas Guitars and their great YouTube Channel and played on a 2017 Lorenzo Frignani guitar. Love the non-chord tones on the 2nd beat, such a great Baroque example and well-exploited by Montella. “The Sonata…

Goran Krivokapić Plays Bach – Allegro, BWV1003

Goran Krivokapić plays the Allegro from Violin Sonata No.2 (BWV1003) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). This comes via PARTITA Studio in Seoul, Korea on their YouTube. Although the sound is a little bright and close it only gives you a better idea of how…

Roberto Barto (Lute & Vihuela) Concert and Videos

The Lute Society of America’s WestFest Workshop was in Victoria this year and included a performance by the amazing Robert Barto. I have long been a huge fan of Barto, his recordings (Amazon link) of Sylvius Leopold Weiss and Bernhard…

Interview with David Watkin (cellist)

This is such a fantastic musical discussion and so relevant to guitar. “After his masterclass, David Watkin sat down with Helen Wallace from Kings Place, London to talk about the Bach Cello suites and the masterclass itself.” The famous cellist/conductor talks…

Lute & Voice – Dulces Exuviae (Josquin des Prez)

Romain Bockler (baritone) & Bor Zuljan (lute) perform an arrangement of Dulces Exuviae – Nimphes nappes by Josquin des Prez (1450/1455–1521). This comes via Zuljan’s Youtube channel. Video by the amazing Uros Baric and Marie Delorme Zuljan (audio) with lute…

Brouwer Etude No. 14 and Lesson

Leo Brouwer’s Etude No. 14 from Estudios SencillosYouTube Video Link Sheet Music (complete etudes in one book) via amazon: Leo Brouwer Guitar Works Cuban composer Leo Brouwer’s Etude No. 14 from Estudios Sencillos. I play the study and then give a lesson on musical and guitar related ideas.…

Q&A Lesson: Left Hand Strength & Fatigue

Q&A Lesson of the Week Left Hand Strength & Fatigue on Classical GuitarThis is a Q&A via email by AlanYoutube Video Link The question asked was how to improve strength and avoid fatigue in the left hand. My answer mainly…