Bill did an amazing prepared-guitar demo, as well as showing me how L.A.G.Q. gets some of those amazing sounds on their self-titled CD. You'll also hear Bill discuss his latest work with Shingo Fujii, as soloist for his concerti written for guitar orchestra (guitorchestra?) and soloist, some tales and a few of his compositions with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, recordings of Bill playing his arrangements of Mozart's Rondo "Alla Turka" and the truly wonderful Souvenir of Puerto Rico by Gottscha...
Feb 01, 2013•59 min•Ep. 9
Grisha speaks about his quest to enrich the classical guitar canon by the addition and performance of works by the great composers of the solo flamenco guitar, like Sabicas, Paco de Lucía, Rafael Riqueni, Gerardo Nuñez, Manolo Sanlucar, and others. It's truly inspiring to hear about the role his father had in Grisha's musical training; his search for flamenco repertoire when sheet music was a sought-after commodity in Russia at the time, his patience, his support and dedication. You'll also hear...
Jan 15, 2013•51 min•Ep. 8
I had a quick phone conversation with Vladimir Gorbach, the 2011 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artists Competition winner! Vladimir is currently about halfway through his GFA sponsored concert and masterclass tour, with performances in Oregon, Texas, and Arizona in January 2013, and California, New York, Florida, and Minnesota in February, and quite a few more. It was really interesting to hear about how Vladimir prepared and practiced for the competition, his philosophy on ...
Jan 01, 2013•39 min•Ep. 7
So the show is called All Strings Considered and it turns out, guitar isn't the only instrument with strings! Who would have thought? I had a great conversation with my friend Megumi Stohs from the un-conducted string orchestra A Far Cry They play "classical" music like you've never heard it before. They have this amazing democratic way of rehearsing and performing and play more like a rock band than a classical orchestra: they perform standing (except the celli of course) and with an energy and...
Dec 15, 2012•43 min•Ep. 6
I got together with my good friend Connie Sheu to talk about her excellent new recording, a full CD of music exclusively by women composers titled The Woman's Voice. You will hear some really amazing music that I can probably guarantee you've never heard by Dale Kavanaugh, Ida Presti, the daughter of Mauro Giuliani - Emilia Giuliani, and Annette Kruisbrink. You may also have heard mention of the Suzuki Method? Connie was among the very first Suzuki Guitar students and gives us a clear and concis...
Dec 01, 2012•48 min•Ep. 5
Traditionally, the great composers like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven have also been virtuosos on their instruments- Bach on the organ, Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, and Brahms on the piano, Paganini on the violin. In the classical guitar world this connection between performer and composer is even stronger, almost to the point of requirement. The list includes almost every guitar/lute composer we know, from Dowland, Sanz, Da Milano, Mudarra, and de Murcia to Tárrega, Barrios, Giuliani, Sor, and the l...
Nov 15, 2012•47 min•Ep. 4
An Interview with the president of the Guitar Foundation of America, Martha Masters. We spoke about what it's like being a woman in a male dominated career, a little about the importance of music for kids, about performing versus recording, and about some of her favorite music to play. You'll hear her interpretations of J.S. Bach, Regondi, Antonio Jose de San Sebastian, and a duet by Cesar Frank played by her duo, Duo Erato. Enjoy!
Oct 30, 2012•52 min•Ep. 3
Adam and I chatted about his new and second guitar concerto titled, Paisajes (Landscapes), about growing up in Spain (and everywhere else!), about the flamenco/classical guitar split, and Segovia's flamenco past. You'll hear the first movement of Paisajes (Lanscapes), which is an orchestral version of a flamenco Alegrías, the rumba that begins his latest album, his amazing interpretation of Albeñiz's Sevilla, and a great Balkan-sounding tune in 13/8!
Oct 15, 2012•49 min•Ep. 2
I talked with Scott Tennant about Rodrigo's Entre Olivares, his fantastic technique book Pumping Nylon, some of his favorite moments with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and his arrangement of Wild Mountain Thyme. We also got some great practice advice and talked about his love of a great cup of espresso.
Oct 01, 2012•34 min•Ep. 1
