Norwegian classical guitarist Kristina Vårlid performs Balada para Martín Fierro by Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez (1921-2010). This comes via Siccas Guitars and their YouTube channel (go subscribe). Beautiful performance by Varlid with a very expressive touch, flowing phrases, and a resonant and plaintive pacing. Originally written as the soundtrack for a film adaptation of a famous Argentine epic poem, it captures the melancholic and heroic spirit of the country’s legendary gauchos (cowboys). Martín Fierro, a famous 1870s narrative poem by José Hernández tells the story of a poor, free-spirited gaucho who is forced into the military, suffers great hardships, and ultimately lives as an outlaw. Ramírez—who is celebrated worldwide for his iconic choral work Misa Criolla—used his deep knowledge of traditional Argentine folk rhythms to translate this tragic and nostalgic tale into sweeping, emotional music.
Recommended Intermediate Music
Maria Luisa (Mazurka), Op.19 by Julio Sagreras (1879-1942) – This is a beautiful work also by an Argentinian composer and a similar vibe and melodic feel. This is around the grade 5 level making it very accessible for the intermediate classical guitarist. This is from my Grade 5 book with sheet music, video performance, and video lesson. Go take a listen.
Beautiful, never seen any other classical player fret with their thumb. Very interesting.
I am a beginner and have read that I should always place my left hand thumb on the back of guitar neck in line with my m finger in order to get a good sounding note from the instrument, yet I noticed this player often played without the thumb being behind the neck at all and sometimes used it as an additional digit on the fretboard. I tried that myself after watching this video and got no sound at all from the guitar! Is being able to play notes without the left hand thumb being used to anchor the hand into position something that intermediate and advanced players learn how to do? Is it a recommended technique?
The thumb is a reference point and a very light anchor but we try to not vice grip between the fingers and the thumb. The weight of the arm is enough to pull the fingers down into the strings. The angle of approach and curved fingers is the key to this. Have you seen my left hand lesson: https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/lesson-left-hand-thumb-position/
Great performance. I thoroughly enjoyed it. However I am baffled by a left hand technical move. At 1:42 she moves her thumb from behind the guitar neck and appears to use it on the lower E string. I have seen many guitarists of all kinds let their thumb curl around the back of the guitar to fret the lower E but she pulls her entire hand out and reaches across the fretboard with her thumb. What’s going on here??