I discovered a love of classical---or Spanish---guitar when I was fairly young. The daughter of a pianist, I had, of course, studied classical music and multiple instruments (piano and viola). But what I really wanted to play was the guitar.
In my opinion, the top classical guitarists in my lifetime are:
1. Andrés Segovia (the master)
2. John Williams (click to his site to hear samples of his latest album, which is awesome)
3. Julian Bream (very interesting range)
I wanted to share some of their music here today, but really struggled with which artist and what song. Up tempo? Slower? Classical? Or with a Spanish theme? I didn't figure you'd be willing to spend an hour sampling songs at my blog.
So, in honor of my girls' and their birthdays, I chose Debussy's Clair de Lune performed by John Williams and Julian Bream.
John Williams studied under Andrés Segovia, and is brilliant in almost any style. He is a true musician. Watching his fingers move over the strings, the strength or softness he can invoke, is gorgeous.
Julian Bream is as amazing with the lute as the guitar, and I haven't even mentioned the cello or piano yet.. Anyone who can be a jack of all trades and master of many is truly talented, in my book.
When Patience was born, she had a rough first year (which meant we did, too). One of the few things that soothed her was classical guitar music.
This song was one of her favorites:
I highly recommend classical guitar for soothing the savage baby. Bach is excellent, as is Brahms, but don't neglect the amazing Spanish style composers, such as Isaac Albéniz.
(Slightly off-topic: Probably my favorite of the classical composers is Antonin Dvořák, and not just because of the viola. Probably because---like Albéniz---he incorporates local folk music into many of his compositions. His music is fairly intense and slightly chaotic in a woven seamlessly sort of way, in my opinion. It's not pattern interruption, as Mozart's music is, which I find irritating. Just my humble opinion. Patience loves Dvořák too, especially the cello concerto.)
Copyright 2007 Julie Pippert
Also blogging at:
Using My Words
Julie Pippert REVIEWS: Get a real opinion about BOOKS, MUSIC and MORE
Julie Pippert RECOMMENDS: A real opinion about HELPFUL and TIME-SAVING products
Moms Speak Up: Talking about the environment, dangerous imports, health care, food safety, media and marketing, education, politics and many other hot topics of concern.
In my opinion, the top classical guitarists in my lifetime are:
1. Andrés Segovia (the master)
2. John Williams (click to his site to hear samples of his latest album, which is awesome)
3. Julian Bream (very interesting range)
I wanted to share some of their music here today, but really struggled with which artist and what song. Up tempo? Slower? Classical? Or with a Spanish theme? I didn't figure you'd be willing to spend an hour sampling songs at my blog.
So, in honor of my girls' and their birthdays, I chose Debussy's Clair de Lune performed by John Williams and Julian Bream.
John Williams studied under Andrés Segovia, and is brilliant in almost any style. He is a true musician. Watching his fingers move over the strings, the strength or softness he can invoke, is gorgeous.
Julian Bream is as amazing with the lute as the guitar, and I haven't even mentioned the cello or piano yet.. Anyone who can be a jack of all trades and master of many is truly talented, in my book.
When Patience was born, she had a rough first year (which meant we did, too). One of the few things that soothed her was classical guitar music.
This song was one of her favorites:
I highly recommend classical guitar for soothing the savage baby. Bach is excellent, as is Brahms, but don't neglect the amazing Spanish style composers, such as Isaac Albéniz.
(Slightly off-topic: Probably my favorite of the classical composers is Antonin Dvořák, and not just because of the viola. Probably because---like Albéniz---he incorporates local folk music into many of his compositions. His music is fairly intense and slightly chaotic in a woven seamlessly sort of way, in my opinion. It's not pattern interruption, as Mozart's music is, which I find irritating. Just my humble opinion. Patience loves Dvořák too, especially the cello concerto.)
Copyright 2007 Julie Pippert
Also blogging at:
Using My Words
Julie Pippert REVIEWS: Get a real opinion about BOOKS, MUSIC and MORE
Julie Pippert RECOMMENDS: A real opinion about HELPFUL and TIME-SAVING products
Moms Speak Up: Talking about the environment, dangerous imports, health care, food safety, media and marketing, education, politics and many other hot topics of concern.
Comments
And you are right about John Williams on guitar. He is fabulous! Most people only know him as a composer/conductor, but he is so much more.
Bartok is another one who incorporated a lot of folk dances in his pieces. Great stuff all!
I'll stop now, or this will become *MY* blog entry for the day! :)
I will kiss up about the cello all day long. :)
We were listening to the cello concerto this morning.
I know...I think a lot of people don't know John Williams which is why I ended up choosing him.
We could just go back and forth all day on this (and wouldn't that be nice!).
I have to tidy and clean then figure out what to do since I think our plans for the day are spoiled by rain. And that sucks since we had two birthdays to celebrate. We still will, just maybe not outside LOL.
I think I need to revisit Bartok.
And I'm coming back to listen to your video!
Thanks for visiting me. I had no idea how much we do have in common.
Beautiful choice by the way. I can see why it was one of your daughter's favorites.
Feeling slightly ashamed that my introduction to classical guitar came via the movie Crossroads, with Ralph Macchio. LOLOL
Do you know John Fahey's Christmas records? You might like him.
However, I do really enjoy some of the New Agey Spanish & Flamenco players like Ottmar Liebert & Jesse Cook. Also well worth checking out is Marc Antoine.
(I play the violin, by the way. Yet another thing we have in common.)
Angela