Disclaimer: this post was written in December 2023, and scheduled for future posting. Its contents may no longer be accurate or appropriate.
Isaac Albéniz (29th May 1860 – 18th May 1909) was a Spanish virtuoso pianist, composer, and conductor. He was one of the foremost composers of the Post-Romantic era, and also had a significant influence on his contemporaries and younger composers. So says Wikipedia, and who am I to argue? Whatever, whilst he is remembered for his piano works based on Spanish folk music, it's Asturias that he is probably best known for, especially the guitar transcription thereof (despite the fact that it wasn't originally written for guitar).
If we'd had Croatian guitar prodigy Ana Vidovic playing this to us, as we sat through another Wednesday music assembly at school, I certainly would have sat up and paid close attention. Am ever so slightly beguiled, even now.
There. Don't we all feel a bit more cultured now? Despite the guy in the audience with the percussive cough?
I'm always impressed by people who can play the guitar and make it sound like more than one instrument is playing. I remember watching Richard Thompson live and thinking he sounded like a quartet.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, it's a real skill.
DeleteStunning - and she somehow makes it look so easy and natural, wow. Thank you for the culture!
ReplyDeleteNo worries. Rest assured the usual low-brow level will resume shortly.
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