Worcester Classical Guitar Society
Rehearsals are at St. George’s Church Hall in Barbourne
New members welcome
Follow Rehearsals Link Below and Join In
The Guitar Society promotes ensemble playing for guitarists of all ages and abilities. We have a Guitar Orchestra, a Youth Guitar Orchestra (WYGO) and the long-standing Worcester Guitar Quartet. We also encourage other ensembles and solo playing.
Read on for all the news on artists, concerts and other random ramblings that may be of interest.
We also have some guitar music videos for you to enjoy.
Craig Ogden
Cotswolds Guitar Weekend
August 26th to 28th
Craig Ogden will be hosting a Guitar Weekend at Hawkwood College - just outside Stroud - from Friday August 26th to Sunday August 28th. The weekend includes a concert by Craig Ogden himself on the Friday evening.
The Hawkwood website gives the following summary of the event:
"A masterclass opportunity to study with one of the best classical guitarists of our generation. This enjoyable, intense weekend study course is suitable for experienced players and advanced students with a minimum skill level of Grade 6 guitar. There will be ensemble work as well as masterclass tutorials.”
“Activities for the weekend, range from technical development (with a particular focus on right-hand strength and facility), phrase shaping and interpretation, practice technique, psychology of performance, ensemble skills, relaxation and concentration.
Full details of this fascinating weekend can be found on the Hawkwood College website, follow the link below.
Hawkwood College Event Details HERE
New Album
New Music
Xufei Yang
Music of John Brunning
Xufei Yang combines with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in this new CD produced with the composer John Brunning. John Brunning himself is a radio presenter with Classic FM, a Composer, one time Pirate Radio DJ and also played guitar with the ‘70s Blues and Jug Band Mungo Jerry.
The Concerto Magna Carta is so named because it was completed during the 800th anniversary year of the historic document’s signing. It also has a distinctly British feel to it and the Cadenza, contributed by Xufei Yang herself, contains references to many folk tunes from around the British Isles as well as melodies from each of the Concerto’s movements.
As well as the concerto the album contains Brunning’s 5 Romances for Guitar and the evocative Lacrimosa for Guitar and Cello.
A new Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra is a welcome addition to the classical guitar repertoire and Xufei Yang’s playing brings expression to John Brunning’s melodies. Do listen by following the link below and see if you want to add this to your collection.
Xufei Yang Website HERE
John Brunning Website HERE
Strictly Latin
New Theme for Concert
Choosing Music for the Guitar Soc
The Summer Concert by the Worcester Guitar Orchestra, the Youth guitar Orchestra and the Guitar Quartet took place on June 11th and was on the theme of “Places”. Now we’re starting again and at present we are honing in on a Latin American theme. Plenty to go at there, Choros, Tango, Samba etc.
It’s a good time to come along to our new season of rehearsals and try out our members new arrangements and compositions. Second Sunday every month, except August. Rehearsals take place in the Church Hall at St. George’s Church in Barbourne, Worcester.
Alison Smith
Soloist and Organiser
CawsandBay GuitarFest
Cornwall, Sept 9th - 11th
The Cawsand Bay GuitarFest is returning for 2022 following successful festivals in 2019 and 2021. The location is the Rame peninsula in South East Cornwall, near Torpoint and just across the Tamar river from Plymouth.
The event includes Workshops, Master Classes, Concerts, Ensemble playing and talks from luthiers. Individual concerts will be given by Alsion Smith, Craig Ogden and the Eden-Stell Duo. Sounds like an interesting weekend in a stunning location.
For full details please visit the GuitarFest website, the link is provided below.
CawsandBay GuitarFest Website
HERE
Swing along to this CD
Katona Twins
Latest CD/Download Release
An album release with a difference from the Katona Twins, though the duo is always innovative and always entertaining. It stems from an invitation to play a Hollywood themed concert at a venue in Austria and grew from there. The twins have arranged Hollywood film music, condensing orchestral music to just two guitars. Then they have added some swing into the mix with some Django Reinhardt arrangements. The result is an eclectic mix stamped with the Katona Twins own style and outstanding technique.
Follow the link below to the Presto Music website where you can see the full album contents, hear excerpts from all of the pieces and, should you be impressed, buy the CD or a Digital Download of the album, or individual tracks should you wish.
Presto Music Website HERE
22 Strings and a Calabash!
Seckou Keita
Kora Music and More
Seckou Keita is a Senegalese Kora player now based in the UK. Some of you may have seen him recently - he played a concert here in Worcester’s Huntingdon Hall with the Welsh Harpist Catrin Finch. The music was enchanting and two of their CDs have now crept into my own collection - “Echo” and “Soar”.
Seckou Keita’s collaboration goes much further. He has collaborated with the Jazz Pianist Omar Sosa on the excellent album “Transparent Water” and his website shows numerous solo and collaborative albums.
To get a flavour, the link below is a live performance of Clarach from the Keita/Finch album Soar.
Not Classical Guitar, just wonderful uplifiting music
Seckou Keita with Catrin Finch HERE
© 2019/2020/2021 Worcester Classical Guitar Society