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Fernando Sor
The Spaniard Fernando Sor (1778-1839) was one of the greatest of the composers for the classical guitar. In addition to many
“serious” works for one or two guitars, he composed a large number of studies intended for players of lesser virtuosity. Untold numbers of students have worked their way through these studies, which satisfy the elusive goal of providing memorable pieces that, at the same time, enhance the skill and knowledge of the practitioner. Andrés Segovia selected a set of twenty of those studies, each emphasizing a particular aspect of technique, and these are now some of the best known of Sor’s works. Versions of those studies have been reworked and edited for the MIDI format by Ray Izumi on The Guitarist site.
- Twenty Studies by Fernando Sor in MIDI format
- Fernando Sor Tablature
- Sor’s Estudio Opus 6 Number 5 sheet music
- The Works of Ferdinando Sor Complete works of Sor in Midi. Not all works are complete; the site is still adding, but there’s a lot there – it’s easy to navigate
- Fernando Sor works are listed in 63 opus numbers. These range in style and forms such as Duets, Theme and
Variations, Fantasies, Waltzes, Sonatas and groups of Studies.
- More on Fernando Sor
The bookFernando Sor, Composer and Guitarist by Brian Jeffery, published by Tecla, is a full-length biography of him, with a complete and detailed bibliography of Sor’s many
compositions (which include a great many for voice or for other instruments). The book was first published in 1977 and is
acknowledged today as the standard biography of Sor. A new edition appeared in 1994, but it can be very hard to get so if you see one available buy it on the spot!
One of the best books to learn to play his music is Fernando Sor: The Complete Studies for Guitar
Andrés Segovia
Andrés Segovia (1893-1987) is considered to be
the father of the modern classical gutiar movement
by most modern scholars. Many feel, that without his
efforts, the classical guitar
would still be considered
a lowly bar instrument,
played only by peasants.
Segovia’s quest to
elevate the guitar to a
prominant position in the music world, began at the
early age of four. His uncle used to sing songs to him
and pretend to strum an imaginary guitar in his lap.
Luckily for us, there was a luthier nearby and
Segovia took an instant liking to the guitar. Although
discouraged by his family (according to them he
should play a “real” instrument), he continued to
pursure his studies of the guitar. He set a goal for the
guitar and himself early in life. It was, to bring Guitar
studies to every university in the world, have the
guitar played throughout the world, on every major
stage, just as the piano and violin were, and lastly, to
pass on his love of the guitar to generations to
follow. He considerd himself to be the messenger
that would complete this impossible quest.
He succeeded in all respects.
In 1928 Segovia made his American debut in New York City. Before long, composers like Heitor Villa-Lobos even began to compose original pieces
specifically for the guitar. Segovia himself began transposing the classical canon for the guitar as well,
most notably his notoriously difficult translation of Bach’s Chaconne, as well as many transcriptions
of lute and harpsichord music. In addition to recording and performing, Segovia spent the remainder
of his life and career successfully influencing the authorities at conservatories, academies, and
universities to include the guitar in their instruction programs with the same emphasis given the violin,
cello and piano; his early struggles were recounted in his 1983 memoir Andres Segovia: An
Autobiography of the Years 1893-1920. He died in 1987.
Dionisio Aguado (1784-1849) was one of the greatest virtusoso performers on the guitar of the 19th century. This web page aims to fill a gap that appears to exist having regard to the life and works of this brilliant Spanish virtuoso of the 19th century. See also Guitar History entry
Emilio Pujol (1886-1980) is considered by many as the leading spokesman for twentieth century guitar pedagogy Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco (1895-1968) was historically the founder of an important group of modern composers, Italian and not, who took an interest in the guitar. He was one of the most creative and versatile composers of our century Heitor Villa Lobos (1881-1959) “Villa-Lobos was larger than life, quite extraordinary. He didn’t seem to be a composer. He wore loud checked shirts, smoked a cigar, and always kept the radio on, listening to the news or light music or whatever. Villa-Lobos wasn’t refined in the intellectual sense, but he had a great heart” (Julian Bream, master interpreter of Villa-Lobos’ guitar music, gave this personal reminiscence) |
Jose Feliciano Six-time Grammy Award winning artist, acclaimed by critics throughout the world as “the greatest living guitarist”. Jose’s guitar work is legendary. For over 30 years he has been “instrumental” in dignifying the
acoustic guitar by bringing it to a level of acceptance rivaled by few in the industry. Soul, pop, rock,
jazz, classical – in English Spanish and Italian, Jose has delighted people worldwide with his
inimitable style. Honored by Guitar player Magazine, he is in their “Gallery of the Greats”; his hands
are ‘enbronzed’ in Madame Tussaud’s in London and Billboard Magazine has bestowed a Lifetime
Achievement Award on the man whose life has been the guitar.
Jose has recorded over 60 albums in his impressive career. Still humble with all the successes he
has had, Jose feels that his career is just beginning and that he has just started to share his talents
with the world.
more…
Christopher Parkening (1947-) has been one of the premiere classical guitarists for the past twenty-five years. He has recieved three Grammy nominations for best classical performance and he holds an Honorary Doctorate in music from Montana State University; where he teaches a master class each summer. Mr. Parkening has inherited the legacy of Andrés |
Interview with Classical Guitar Virtuoso Christopher Parkening. Student and friend to the legendary Andrés Segovia, he gives us some valuable insights into developing the right skills early on. In the words of Segovia, “Christopher Parkening is a great artist. He is one of the most brilliant guitarists in the world” |
John Williams (1941- )
John Williams was born in Australia in 1941. He began to
learn the guitar at the age of four, receiving lessons from his
father. When the family moved to London in 1952, he met
and studied with Segovia, and on his recommendation
entered the Accademia Musicale di Siena in Italy, where he
studied on a scholarship for five years. At the request of his
fellow students, he received the unprecedented honour of
giving the first complete solo recital by a student of any
instrument. Back in England he attended the Royal College
of Music, where he studied piano and music theory.
Julian Bream Proclaimed by many students of classical music as the premier guitar and lute virtuoso of the 20th century, Julian Bream was born in London in 1933. After studying at the Royal College of Music, he made his public debut in 1950, quickly winning fame for his technique and mastery of a wide range of musical styles. In 1960, he founded the Julian Bream Consort, an ensemble of original instrument virtuosi which enjoyed astounding success in their chosen oeuvre, greatly revitalizing interest in the music of the Elizabethan era. |
Laurindo Almeida (1917-1995) Brazilian guitarist, composer & arranger. He refused to stick to classical, Brazilian or jazz guitar – he played everything with equal success. It is rather dissapointing to discover that this great guitarist and composer is today relatively unknown in Brazil, while in USA in Europe he is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all times. His work is unbelievable – he composed music for over 800 movies & TV series and recorded numerous LPs and CDs.
Carl Volk – Guitarist
I started taking classical guitar lessons at age ten. I was eleven when I saw Andrés Segovia in concert – I was inspired and started taking my lessons more seriously. Eventually I entered the University of New Mexico school of music and took master classes from the head of the guitar department, Hector Garcia, one of the prominent Cuban guitarists who left Cuba during the Castro-lead revolution of the late fifties. |
I performed at a number of restaurants in Santa Fe and also studied Flamenco techniques. As well as being influenced by the great classical guitarists (Andrés Segovia, John Williams, Julian Bream, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Sharon Isbin and others), I am a great lover of jazz music and inspired by musicians like John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Pat Metheny and Bill Evans. |
Petar Culic Since then he has gone on to win another 22 national and international classical guitar competitions, He is highly regarded having been called “The prince of classical guitar”, and received rave He is constantly performing, and you can find his tour dates as well as listen to YouTube recordings |
Further Classical Guitar Resources: Links to dozens of other sites!
Classical Guitar:
Artists 1 |
Artists 2 |
Anatomy |
History |
Museum |
Links
Classical Guitar Anatomy learn about the parts of the classical guitar: Head, Nut, Fretboard, Soundhole & Bridge
Chords, Chord, Chords! chord theory & links to all the best chord sites!
Paul’s Guitar Museum
by luthier Paul Chabot