When I was at the Iserlohn Guitar Symposium this summer, I was happy to see Jorge Caballero again, and managed to spend some time picking his incredible brain on subjects such as technique, learning, focal dystonia and why he chose to transcribe a very difficult Mozart Sonata for solo guitar. The interview is in three parts, but unfortunately the camera ran out of steam during the third part. However, what there is is still fascinating and gives an insight into the mind and method of one of the great guitarists and musical thinkers of the 21st century.
Jorge Caballero on technique Interview 1
When I was at the Iserlohn Guitar Symposium this summer, I was happy to see Jorge Caballero again, and managed to spend some time picking his incredible brain on subjects such as technique, learning, focal dystonia and why he chose to transcribe a very difficult Mozart Sonata for solo guitar. The interview is in three parts, but unfortunately the camera ran out of steam during the third part. However, what there is is still fascinating and gives an insight into the mind and method of one of the great guitarists and musical thinkers of the 21st century.
Interview with Professor Xu Bao with Chinese subtitles
- Alberto and Xu Bao practise tomato throwing
Many thanks to Alberto Cuellar, whom I met in Shanghai – a Flamenco guitarist and cool guy who also runs a website in Chinese dedicated to the guitar. This is slightly strange, my interview in English, translated into Chinese answered in Chinese, but with Chinese subtitles!
John Williams Queen Elizabeth Hall July 1989
selftaughtgirl has this to say about this wonderful concert, which most of the known guitar world in the UK at the time attended:
“John Williams gave a concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (UK) on 19th July 1989 which was broadcast live on the radio. I was at the concert so a friend pressed the record button for me. I remember JW limping onto the stage as he had hurt himself playing tennis and also him reading the Ponce from the score. I last heard him only a couple of weeks ago playing two concertos at the RFH (the main hall next door to the QEH) and still on fine form.
Villa-Lobos: 5 Preludes
Ponce: Variations and fugue on “La Folia”
Brouwer:Elogio de la Danza, Berceuse, Danza Characteristica
Barrios: La Ultima Cancion, Cueca, Aconquija, Choro de Saudade, Waltzes Op 8 Nos 3 & 4
Piazzolla: Verano Portena (as encore)”
This is a marvellous record of a great performance. Thank you, selftaughtgirl!
A few years earlier, the newly reformed “John Williams and Friends”, of which I was a part, toured the UK, Ireland and Italy. Unlike this concert, there were quite a few hi jinx on stage (including Brian Gulland, taking a break from his bassoon duties,dressed as a chef and making an omelette while JW and I played some duets!).
Nigel North plays Bach on BBC Radio 3
selftaughtgirl’s recording of a radio broadcast from the 1980s of a series called “Bach on the Lute” featuring Nigel North, whom I met Oxford University Students’ Union on one of his many visits. A very nice person and a great artist.
Bach: Prelude in Cm (BWV 999)
Bach: Fugue in Gm (BWV 1000)
Bach: Suite in E (BWV 1006a)
Altamira Shanghai Guitar Festival
A personal take on this amazing event which had 450 contestants and 120 jury, and concerts and clsasses by Aniello Desiderio, Eliot Fisk, the Amadeus Duo, Emma Rush, Eva Beneke, Kuang Junhong, Beijing Quartet, etc and yours truly with a movement from
“China Sings!” for guitar solo and Guitar orchestra
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Gerald’s Ice Bucket Challenge
Nominated by Rosie Bennett, aided and abetted by pirates in Penzance.
Sorry this was so late – no Facebook in China! So, extra penalties!
Thanks to Steve Gordon and the crew.
http://youtu.be/dLlqaUoZWYo
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Bragg pulls strings to end jail ban
Protest singer Billy Bragg has helped reverse a government ban on steel-strung guitars in prison.
from Yahoo news digest
Interview with Rene Izquierdo
Iserlohn 2014 was a wonderful place to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
Here is an interview with Rene Izquierdo, whom I finally got to meet and listen to.
Iserlohn 2014 – photo impressions
Some photos of the festival – thanks to all who took part to make it a special place for making wonderful music and friends.
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