Derek Alba by Hans Haug
I have played this piece on and off for a long time - it's one of my favourites. I'd like to play it for the concert. The main problem is that I have played it for so long that I am now playing my own version of it which may not be like the score - my timing is probably quite wrong although I think most of the notes are correct. I will record myself tomorrow (Friday) and then compare it to what is written.
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First update: I've recorded myself - I forgot the dynamics at the start in the excitement of doing the recording but as the purpose was to make a first draft to check the timing I'm not too bothered. Once I've analysed myself playing it I'll hopefully improve it.
The recording was just done on cheaper guitar using my smartphone. I had a couple of calls part way through which didn't sound on the phone as it was in record mode but the notification came through to my activity tracker watch which was vibrating on my wrist causing a bit of a strange sensation when playing :-)
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Derek I'm not familiar with this piece at all. I love the lyrical melody lines that you play up higher on the fingerboard. So beautiful!
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Derek what a lovely tune! Especially the melodic lines you keep on a particular string and make them sing, I really enjoyed that! Can you tell us a little bit more about that piece?
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Martin Eric Phillips Thank you both for your comments. I first heard this piece many years ago on a recording by the English guitarist John Mills whoI believe used to teach at the Royal College of Music. I think he used to give it to his early students to play.
Hans Haug (1900-1967) was a Swiss composer and conductor. His first work for guitar, a concertina for guitar and chamber orchestra won a prize at a composition competition for guitar in Siena, Italy. The prizewinners were supposed to have their pieces premiered by Segovia and published by Schott but for Haug this didn't happen. Tansman's Cavatina was one of the othe prizewinners. The piece was premiered by Alexandre Lagoya in 1970. Haug subsequently studied guitar with Jose de Azpiazu and wrote his first solo piece Alba around 1953/54. Unlike the concertina Segovia did record this piece (you can find it on Youtube) and another Preludio (which Segovia called Postlude) written about the same time. Haug was invited to teach composition classes at Segovia's summer school in the early 1960s.
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Derek greatpiece. I never heard his music. It’s interesting to follow the different voices and harmonies. You succeeded to let your guitar sing… very nice
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joosje thank you Joosje
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Derek very interesting music... thank you for sharing this, I hope you'll play this at the concert!
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I've listened to my video and followed it through with the music. There is a great deal of rubato in my recording (I'm being kind to myself by referring to it as rubato!) . Next step is to take each section/phrase at a time and get the timing right. The intro sounds better already. Difficult playing to the metronome as the piece changes a lot between 3/4, 4/4 and 5/4. I am just trying to get it right by counting each quarter note value e.g one and one and one and etc instead of one and two and etc. Seems to work for me
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Derek Fantastic analysis of your own performance, that's why recording yourself is so helpful! Perfect for developing practice strategies in order to improve
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Derek I second all the encouragement. And, I will be using the "rubato" explanation in the future. Thanks for that.
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Bill Stephens thanks Bill. I have a string of excuses if you'd like to borrow some more :-)
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Martin Thank you Martin. I'll keep working on it
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I have been working on the timing of this and think I am getting the hang of playing it pretty much as written (instead of my interpretation from memory which has become quite corrupt over the years). I did a recording but there are a few mistakes in there. Hopefully they won't happen on the night. I must be getting closer to how it is supposed to be because this version was picked up y Youtube for a copyright claim! The previous version didn't.
I'll keep working on it.
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Derek Beautiful, Derek! My favorite parts are still the one-string melody lines. I also like how you play the block chords with a light touch, something I find difficult to do on those types of passages.
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Derek That is an interesting piece. I don't know it or the composer. You are doing a great job. It is a substantial piece which is a challenge to sustain.You are well on your way. Thanks for sharing.
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Derek Wonderful! I can see more and more confidence as the lines start to sing more and more! You embedded the melodic lines niceyl within the upper chords!
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Eric Phillips thanks Eric
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Jack Stewart thank you Jack
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Derek sounding really sweet and romantic, Derek!
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