A beautiful example of classical guitar at its best. Andres Segovia would be happy to see his legacy alive and well in Ana Vildovic.
I'd like to know more about who Ana is and where she came from?
It takes a special person to dedicate a life to the pursuit of Beauty and Refinement through disciplined effort. Such individuals are rarely rewarded with money, fame or power -- only the joy and satisfaction of doing something well for its own sake.
I believe that's the greatest reward any human being could hope to earn. Too bad so few seem to realize it!
Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Memories of the Alhambra) was composed in 1896 by Spanish composer and guitarist Francisco Tárrega. It was written in Granada.
A virtuoso on his instrument, Tárrega was known as the "Sarasate of the guitar". His repertoire included many original compositions ... as well as transcriptions for the guitar of works written for other instruments by composers such as Beethoven, Chopin and Mendelssohn.
Like his friend Isaac Albéniz and many of their Spanish contemporaries, Tárrega had an interest in combining the prevailing Romantic trend in classical music with Spanish folk elements, which he did with Recuerdos de la Alhambra and his transcriptions for guitar of several of Albeniz's piano pieces ...
Recuerdos de la Alhambra shares a title with the Spanish language translation of Washington Irving's 1832 book, Tales of the Alhambra, written during Irving's four-year stay in Spain. ...
If you' have time, and are interested in continuing and expanding the mood established by the playing of Ana Vildovic, you'd probably enjoy this recording of Manuel da Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain performed by the great Brazilian pianist Guiomar Novaes:
Yes a very good if not the most famous item by Segovia. Personally the most moving composition by him is "Capricho Arabe" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBzTRR7Qv2w).
He, ironically, was originally condemned and boycotted by certain Spaniards because he pointed out that what we know as classical Spanish guitar was derived from Andelousi Arab Oud and he cited that his favourite artist was the Syrian-born Egyptian singer/composer/actor Farid el Atrash (sometimes spelled el Atrache) whom he had met a number of times. Atrash was by far the greatest modern Oud player of his day and since and his recordings are rare. Below is a link to his most famous item called "Taksim Oud."
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3VdoGMAG6o)
It is over 7 minutes and a very old recording. At about 5m25s you will see changes in the style and by minute 6 you can see elements that you will associate with classical Spanish playing. What Atrash did in that piece is first play Egyptian then Turkish and finaly Andalousi styles for the audience. Very old item but a voyage into the history of one form of music that has a global influence.
I remember attending the opening of a book store which had employed classical guitarist to perform. I stood and watched as he performed his repertoire with concentration and attempted to ignore the distraction of the small crowd which had gathered.
Two ladies, apparently sisters, started arguing whether the guitarist was actually a "robot". Actually I had thought he had completely tuned them out until one of the ladies said in a loud voice; "I don't care! I still say its a robot." and turned to walk away.
It was more than the gentleman could stand. The guitarist broke up into a laugh he couldn't stifle. The outspoken lady looked back became red in the face and hurried off past staring customers and clerks and out the front door.
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Very enjoyable, AOW. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful example of classical guitar at its best. Andres Segovia would be happy to see his legacy alive and well in Ana Vildovic.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know more about who Ana is and where she came from?
It takes a special person to dedicate a life to the pursuit of Beauty and Refinement through disciplined effort. Such individuals are rarely rewarded with money, fame or power -- only the joy and satisfaction of doing something well for its own sake.
I believe that's the greatest reward any human being could hope to earn. Too bad so few seem to realize it!
~ FreeThinke
Quiero olvidar la alhambra.....
ReplyDeleteFor added enrichment:
ReplyDeleteRecuerdos de la Alhambra (Memories of the Alhambra) was composed in 1896 by Spanish composer and guitarist Francisco Tárrega. It was written in Granada.
A virtuoso on his instrument, Tárrega was known as the "Sarasate of the guitar". His repertoire included many original compositions ... as well as transcriptions for the guitar of works written for other instruments by composers such as Beethoven, Chopin and Mendelssohn.
Like his friend Isaac Albéniz and many of their Spanish contemporaries, Tárrega had an interest in combining the prevailing Romantic trend in classical music with Spanish folk elements, which he did with Recuerdos de la Alhambra and his transcriptions for guitar of several of Albeniz's piano pieces ...
Recuerdos de la Alhambra shares a title with the Spanish language translation of Washington Irving's 1832 book, Tales of the Alhambra, written during Irving's four-year stay in Spain. ...
Submitted by FT
If you' have time, and are interested in continuing and expanding the mood established by the playing of Ana Vildovic, you'd probably enjoy this recording of Manuel da Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain performed by the great Brazilian pianist Guiomar Novaes:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr73OXVohB4&feature=related
The second and third movements are linked to the above.
A wonderful atmospheric piece that transports us worlds away!
Spanish classical music has unique qualities highly conducive to serene contemplation.
Novaes was one of the greatest artists of the keyboard who ever lived. She was truly a musician's musician.
~ FreeThinke
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteshe's very talented....
ReplyDeleteNice change of pace for sure.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Debbie
Right Truth
http://www.righttruth.typepad.com
I love classical guitar. It takes a lot of talent to do that.
ReplyDeleteHeitor villa-Lobos is one of my favorite composers for guitar.
Yes a very good if not the most famous item by Segovia. Personally the most moving composition by him is "Capricho Arabe" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBzTRR7Qv2w).
ReplyDeleteHe, ironically, was originally condemned and boycotted by certain Spaniards because he pointed out that what we know as classical Spanish guitar was derived from Andelousi Arab Oud and he cited that his favourite artist was the Syrian-born Egyptian singer/composer/actor Farid el Atrash (sometimes spelled el Atrache) whom he had met a number of times. Atrash was by far the greatest modern Oud player of his day and since and his recordings are rare. Below is a link to his most famous item called "Taksim Oud."
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3VdoGMAG6o)
It is over 7 minutes and a very old recording. At about 5m25s you will see changes in the style and by minute 6 you can see elements that you will associate with classical Spanish playing. What Atrash did in that piece is first play Egyptian then Turkish and finaly Andalousi styles for the audience. Very old item but a voyage into the history of one form of music that has a global influence.
Cheers
Damien Charles
A very nice reprieve.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
FT and Damien Charles,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links. I'll check them out when I have time.
And I thought "Classical Gas" was good!
ReplyDeleteI remember attending the opening of a book store which had employed classical guitarist to perform. I stood and watched as he performed his repertoire with concentration and attempted to ignore the distraction of the small crowd which had gathered.
ReplyDeleteTwo ladies, apparently sisters, started arguing whether the guitarist was actually a "robot". Actually I had thought he had completely tuned them out until one of the ladies said in a loud voice; "I don't care! I still say its a robot." and turned to walk away.
It was more than the gentleman could stand. The guitarist broke up into a laugh he couldn't stifle. The outspoken lady looked back became red in the face and hurried off past staring customers and clerks and out the front door.
Warren,
ReplyDeleteA robot? Couldn't they see that it was a human being?