Bradford Werner

Bradford Werner

Bradford Werner is a classical guitarist and music publisher from British Columbia, Canada. He owns and edits the online publication This is Classical Guitar and sheet music store Werner Guitar Editions. He has taught a wide range of students from dedicated youth, hobbyists adults, and emerging young professionals in collage programs. Bradford taught classical guitar at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for 16 years and freelanced and performed in Greater Victoria for 20 years. He adjudicates festivals, and has given exams and masterclasses for The Alberta Provincial Festival, Mount Royal University, Calgary Guitar Society, and many more. Also see his work with the Quelus Guitar Duo, and the Victoria Guitar Trio with Michael Dias and Adrian Verdejo. The trio has commissioned numerous premieres and recorded an album on RedShift Records showcasing contemporary Canadian composers. See more at his personal website.

Tariq Harb Plays Passacaglia for Eli by Brouwer

Tariq Harb plays An Idea – Passacaglia for Eli Leo Brouwer dedicated to guitarist Eli Kassner, founder of the Toronto Guitar Society. An Idea for solo guitar was written for the 75th birthday of Eli Kassner at Cordoba April, 1999.…

New Releases by Eddie Healy

Artist Website: eddiehealy.comPublisher: Les Productions d’OZ The Path to Truth: A suite for three guitars in three movements (I. Stagnation II. Irrevocably Becoming… III. Direction). Published: 2014. My favourite thing about these works is that they sound fairly clear and suit the…

The Difference Between Playing and Practicing

One of the most important lessons a student can learn is that practicing music is a problem solving experience. I read an article a few years back by classical guitarist and educator Scott Tennant that clearly defined the difference between playing…

Review: Mosaic by Michael Kolk

Mosaic: Classical Guitar Favouritesby Michael Kolk Artist Website: michaelkolkguitar.comALMA Records: almarecords.com Buy the album or listen to samples: Mosaic via AmazonOr check out his website for more purchase options. Review by Bradford Werner, thisisclassicalguitar.com I’m a big fan of Canadian guitarist…

Relaxation in Music: functional & dysfunctional tension

I read an interesting section from Art of Classical Guitar Playing (Amazon link) by Charles Duncan earlier today. It was on “The Principle of Functional Tension” and was aimed at dispelling the vague notion of “relaxation”  in music. Instead, the author outlines two…

Alí Arango plays Güajiras de Lucía

Cuban guitarist Alí Arango rips it up with Paco’s Güajiras de Lucía. Pretty amazing speed work and great rhythmic feel. Some info via his YouTube: “Guitar by Yuichi Imai. Realización y Edición: Alí Arango. Ali Arango was born on the 14th of December 1982 in…

Duo Vitare play Guitar & Cello Works

Duo Vitare perform guitar and cello works in this absolutely stunning setting. This is classical music promotion at its best folks. Just wonderful. In promotion of their new recording: Duo Vitare – Canzonetta italianaAgnieszka Kotulska-Rahunen, celloKimmo Rahunen, guitar Music by…

Tal Hurwitz Plays Sonatina op.52 by Lennox Berkeley

Tal Hurwitz Plays Sonatina for Guitar op.52 by Lennox Berkeley. I actually posted a live version of him playing this previously but this studio version is better and who doesn’t love this work enough to hear it again. Nice recording…

Ten Classical Etudes Lesson: Study No. 19, Op. 60 by Carcassi

Lesson: Study No. 19, Op. 60 by Matteo Carcassi. From my PDF eBook: Ten Classical Etudes. Includes fingering, notation & notation + TAB edition. YouTube Video Link. Allegro Moderato, Study No. 19, Op. 60 by Matteo CarcassiDespite being No. 19 in…

Practicing Scales: Versatility and Vitality

One of the biggest problems with music education these days is that many students are practicing scales in the same way, everyday…forever. For example, let’s say a teacher is using the Canadian Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exams as a…

Rolf Lislevand Plays Santiago de Murcia on a 1679 Guitar

Rolf Lislevand plays A.Stradivari Sabionari, 1679 guitar. He’s playing Tarantela by Spanish guitarist and composer Santiago de Murcia (1673–1739). I just love Baroque guitar with its pluckier softer sound. When played on modern guitar the strumming is a bit harsh and…

Rovshan Mamedkuliev plays Amirov

Fikret Amirov‘s Lyrical Dance and On Hunting from Miniatures played by Russian guitarist Rovshan Mamedkuliev via GSI. Wow, a beautiful opening work followed by some extreme virtuosity in the dance. Make sure to keep watching! Mamedkuliev is the 2012 GFA winner.…