These posts are becoming something of an AG (acronymic graveyard).
I am now in Kentucky at the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Convention. I was lucky enough and honoured to be invited Continue reading
Category Archives: Guitar
Biberian’s Sonata 2 finally recorded!
Now here’s a thing. This is a piece I have loved for 28 years. I played it when Gilbert Biberian first wrote it. It has had a chequered history Continue reading
Whoa!!! Viv and Scarlatti
Alexi and Roope do their thing with ease and concentration. Bet the Katonas wish they played electric guitars! Compare and contrast the (hair)styles of these bad boy duos!
FGS
JFCAHBBH!? Another acronym?
More guitarists playing together – in this case, 50 of them, from different guitar societies across the UK. The Federation of Guitar Societies
I had the privilege of meeting these dedicated souls,
BYGO
Not some fancy way of saying to bring your own drink on a party invitation, but this is the Berkshire Youth Guitar Orchestra, whose genial conductor, Steve Christmas, invited me to their Wigmore Hall recital in London today.
Forging Perseverance – Focal Dystonia and Loving Patience
Here is an article I wrote some time ago now – it may resonate with some guitarists who have suffered from a non-painful but debilitating syndrome called “focal dystonia”.
Duo Flamas and Guitar group Alegria conducted by Marleen Casteele
I am probably biased posting this, but this is a recent fine performance in Cambridge by the Belgian Duo Flamas of my “Lorca” Concerto, based very loosely on Spanish songs collected by the poet and musician, Federico Garcia Lorca. Continue reading
Bach’s Chaconne, reimagined
I came across this recently while renewing my acquaintance with Bach’s Chaconne (Ciaconna). I think it is a wonderful and imaginative reworking by Forbes Henderson of a piece that has been played countless times. (And I don’t mind the apparently anachronistic portamenti)
Well done Forbes! Continue reading
Chengdu – a new centre of guitar activity in China?
If you haven’t come across him yet, Kuang Junhong is a 13 year old genius who plays the guitar with wonderful musicality. His teacher Xu Bao invited me over to Chengdu (in Sichuan Province) last month and I had the pleasure of teaching Junhong and many others of his talented pupils (as well as eating some fine Sichuan food – mostly mouth-numbingly spicy). There will be a few other young guitarists from this part of China you will eventually hear about. Continue reading