composition

For this assessment I chose two pieces from most significant composers of the twentieth century Heictor Villa Lobos and Joaquin Rodrigo. Joaquin Rodrigo was a Spanish composer and virtuoso pianist. Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio II.movement) Probably Rodrigo’s the most famous work was composed in 1939 in Paris. His work was strongly influenced by thought time when he and his wife had to cope with the lost of their unborn child. The form is classical style concerto with three movements. The second movement is written in B-minor key signature. The conception of theme is developed through a range of modulations and traditional Spanish guitar techniques such as rasquado. Moreover, the melody was created as a simple three-note motive and developed through transpositions, modulations, and inversions. Rodrigo simply applied harmonic progression i-vii-i-iv-V-I which was commonly used in classical period. Heitor Villa Lobos was a Brazilian pianist, conductor and self-taught composer. Prelude no.1 Although Heitor Villa-Lobos was not a classical guitarist, he wrote several pieces for classical guitar including his famous Preludes for Guitar. Prelude no.1 is written in E-minor key signature as first part of his five preludes. Hector Lobos was an impressionist thereby no wonder that his composition was written at the moment of the inspiration. The melody is based on base notes and therefore the violoncello was probably the main inspiration for the melody. The first conception appears as waltz. However, after the piece has been rewritten, the rhythm can be referred to as syncopation. The tempo is marked as Andantino expressivo which means that the piece is to be played at a walking pace with expression. The harmony is mainly based on harmonic progression in E-minor key signature. My piece My conception for my work was to compose romantic piece in waltz style for classical guitar and oboe. Although Rodrigo and Lobos used minor key signature for their work, I decided for major key signature for one reason. In my view the most romantic key signature is A major due to its spiritual value and its nobility. And therefore my piece is written in A major key signature. Harmonic progression is based on I.maj.-II.min.-III.min.-IV.min.-V.maj.-I.maj. chord progression. Although I chose an unusual progression, it worked well. As well as Rodrigo I created three notes melody motive which has been developed through inversion and modulation. Rhythm as is mentioned on beginning is based on syncopated waltz.

quartet reheasal

Hi there, in this lesson we actually reheased two pieces La Boda and Romansa by Federico Moreno Torroba.In my view, lack of dynamics as well as lack of phrasing was more then obvious.Therefore no wonder that Simon was not satisfied with result.

class with Simon Thacker

Hi there, well,the first part of his class is always constist of technical excercise. And therefore, we did right and left hand excercise such as tremolo, arpeggios, slurs, voicing melody, rasquado, scales. My piece for next performance is Homenaje by Manuell de Falla. I have to say that Homenaje is such beautifull piece. More I play it more I love this piece.

improvisation class

Hi there, in this lesson(class)we rehearsed piece So What by Milles Davis. Althought my part is constist of four chords, it was truly enjoyable for myself. In my view, reheasal went well. Only what need to be done is little more practise.

Otto Vowinkel 2a

Hi there,
I have bought a brand new classical guitar from Dutch guitar-maker Otto Vowinkel. I have decided for Otto's guitar because of his brilliant reputation around the world as well as I had a change to play on his instrument(Duende guitar) and I have to say that he makes truly amazing instruments. Here you can read what Otto wrote on his website.Especially constructed for the serious student or the beginning performer. This model was developed and built by me many years and now made in collaborative effort between me and Antonio Picado of Barcelona, Spain. It has a rosette design of concentric rings and a unique headstock shape. It is physically light, very penetrating and easy to play. Volume is great with a lot of sustain and warmth.

Hi there,
fourht lesson with Simon Thacker went well.However, Simon was not satified with some of my technique and therefore lot of homeworks were given to me as it can be seen below.
Homework for next week
1. Right hand technique:
-arpeggios (practise with metronome)
-rest stroke+free stroke (planning)
-tremolo (practise with metronome)
-rasquado

2. Left hand technique:
-scales
-arpeggios
-slur( ascending, descending + rhytmic variations)
-shift positions
Pieces:
Homenaje by Manuel De Falla
Valts no.3 by Augustin Barrios Mangore
Etude no.1 by Heictor Villa Lobos