Week 4: Romantic spirits! 
Welcome to the Main Thread for the fourth week of "The Romantic Era" challenge!
- Make sure you've read the guidelines before replying (<- click)
- Watch the kickoff livestream! (<- click)
↓ Happy Sharing! ↓
-
Hello at last. didn't get chance to post a video last week but I've been busy practising pieces by Mertz, Carulli, Wenzel Matiegka, Sor, Giuliani and others! Hopefully get round to posting some more videos soon but here are a couple to be going on with:
Adagio in E Minor by Mertz. Martin played this at the opening of the challenge and I love it. My version needs a lot more expression I think.
Romanze by Carulli (from Sonata Opus 21 no 3 - I think). I played this a few years back (so that I could teach someone how to play it) but not played it for a couple of years. It's a fairly simple piece but I haven't quite memorised it yet you can easily spot at least one mistake!
I'm hoping to play both pieces at our guitar club next week.
-
Derek Very good, Derek. I'm not familiar with the Carulli.
-
Eric Phillips Thanks Eric - I'm more familiar with his duets - Bream and Williams recorded one which I used to play with a couple of duet partners
-
Derek Those were wonderful, Derek. I was not familiar with either. Your performances on both pieces were very good and expressive. Thanks for presenting theses.
-
Derek so fine! and romantic;-)
-
Derek Great, Derek! I do not know any of them, but you played so fine, with a clear romantic accent. Thanks for sharing!
-
-
This must be the most romantic of romantic pieces
-
Derek Such beautiful dolce tone on that melody, Derek. Well done.
-
Derek Nicely played Derek! This piece really brings me back to the old days when I first started playing Classical guitar. I heard a recording and arrangement by Vincente Gomez which was amazing. He included his own introduction section to the piece which was very tasteful and published it in his transcription. If you can, try to find the recording online for a fun listen.
Anyway, keep up the good work--I like your tone and your right hand stability looks excellent.
-
Derek Here is the link on Spotify for this old Vincente Gomez recording. I didn't remeber how fast he played it, but those special sections are there. It's called Romance de Amor.
-
Barney thank you Barney. I'll check out the Vicente Gomes video. My score is arranged by Ivor Mairants and that has an intro but I always mess it up - even though it is easy enough!
-
Eric Phillips thanks Eric
-
Barney that's some speed Barney. Narciso Yepes always said he had written this and I saw one of his pupils a few years back (he was a concert guitarist but he's retired and now plays each week in a couple of restaurants in Majorca) he was sure that Yepes wrote it as well!
-
Derek I don't know about the Yepes comment, but I actually prefer the piece played more slowly, like you.
-
Derek You played our old favorite beautifully! Very warm sweet tone.
-
Derek Thanks for sharing the info about Narcisco Yepes writing this piece. Very interesting. It always says on the score "anonymous".
-
Derek beautiful. We wouldn’t miss this one.
-
Barney Hi Barney. I don't think he did actually write but I'm no expert. I read it was first published before Yepes was born. There is an article in Wikipedia about it. The piece apparently become famous after it was used in the soundtrack for a 1950s French film Jeux Interdit (Forbidden Games) and Yepes played it for the film.
-
Derek Okay, thanks for checking. It didn't make sense that Yepes would not have appeared on the score accordingly. Everyone loves that piece.
-
Derek Great again, Derek! In your playing, the melody is clearly and 'dolce', and the speed is at a point. Thanks!
-
-
And a Giuliani piece, Opus 43 number 6. I have been meaning to learn this for many years, still needs some work. I remember it being used as the theme tune for a children's tv series, Tales of the Riverbank, in the 60's so I've included a couple of stills from the show in the video and here is a link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VTn6VlUXNA&t=12s.!
-
Derek Well played, Derek. Always love this kind of happy little piece on guitar and those hamster photos were super cute.
-
Wai thanks Wai
-
Derek How funny that Giuliani was used in a children's TV show! That's on a par with Tarrega being used for a ringtone. Well done, Derek.
-
Eric Phillips
-
End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
