On 13/02/2013 19:03, Christopher Wilke wrote:
Hello all,
I've posted a new video of a live performance of me playing
Santiago de Murcia's "Fandango" on baroque guitar. I've incorporated
some improvisation into the piece. This represents the first time
I've
been able to muster up the courage to do it in front of other people.
Your thoughts are most welcome.
The link is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3v56-03ajU
Chris
Well I very much enjoyed it (and, of course, I respect your skill and
musicianship).
You asked for some thoughts.. and no one has responded yet. I just thought
that the strumming (were those the improvised bits?) seemed a notch too
much more intense than the surroundings. E.g.: the opening very staccato
strums seemed more edgy and nervy than the passages that immediately
follow.
But great playing and maybe this music needs to be intensified a bit....?
Well - my two pennyworth. The piece does start off with three strummed
variations but I thought they sounded horribly abrasive and I would question
whether that is how Murcia would have played them himself. I couldn't tell
what method of stringing was being used but if you have a high octave string
on the 3rd course - well take it off right now. There is no evidence that
the
baroque guitar was ever strung like that in the 17th and 18th centuries.
There were one or two places where (dare I say it) some of the lower notes
sounded twangy.......
In the introduction to "Cifras selectas" Murcia is scathing about the
"punchers or acorn pickers who try to stimulate the ears by thumping the
guitar" and says "God save us from this summer hail storm". A prayer that
I would echo.
I think the music calls for a more sensitive approach myself. It is not
intended to be proto-type flamenco.
Sorry - but I didn't care for it.
Monica
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