Worcester Classical Guitar Society
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.
New members are very welcome - just follow the rehearsals link below and join us at St. George's
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.
Kianush Robeson
Kianush Robeson
Classical Guitarist
&
Tutor
Kianush Robeson studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music under John Mills and has a passion for the music played by Segovia. He has released his first CD entitled “Impressions of Segovia” but no sign yet of its availability online.
Kianush is based in Bexhill, where he has founded the AK Guitar Society with his partner, the guitarist Anastasiya Kryvanos. They organise events and concerts in Bexhill-on-Sea and also in Hertfordshire. Both guitarists provide tutoring services both in person and online. Further details can be seen on Kianush’s website, link below.
For our video link, Kianush performs Capricho Catalan, by Isaac Albeniz. The guitar is a Hauser II Replica made by the Luthier Stephen Eden. Further videos are available on Kianush’s website.
Kianush Robeson plays Capricho Catalan HERE
Kianush Robeson website HERE
Baden Powell
The Shadow of Your Smile
Xufei Yang
Two for the price of one here: Came across Xufei Yang playing “The Shadow of Your Smile” on YouTube, in an arrangement by Baden Powell. There is a link to this music below.
Baden Powell de Aquino was a Brazilian guitarist, named after Lord Baden-Powell, the father of the scout movement and performed professionally simply as Baden Powell. He was a very influential guitarist, he combined classical techniques with harmony and swing. He performed in many styles, including Samba, Bossa Nova and Brazilian Jazz. Hearing Xufei Yang’s rendition of his music led to a little more exploration, so we have two more resources for you:
Firstly is the album “Solitude on Guitar”, from which The Shadow of Your Smile arrangeent was taken. We have a link to the 7Digital platform where a digital download can be purchased. There are samples of every track so you can assess whether this is for you.
Secondly is a free resource of Baden Powell’s arrangements in score and tab. These are published by the guitarist’s son; Philippe Baden Powell. Again there’s a link below to this extensive resource. Well worth a browse to see if anything grabs your interest.
Fei Yang plays "Shadow of your Smile" HERE
Solitude on Guitar Album HERE
“Brazil On Guitar” pdf files HERE
Rafael Elizondo
Danza Del Altiplano
Online Lesson
Mexican Guitarist and Tutor Rafael Elizondo gives and excellent and detailed lesson on YouTube on the playing of Loe Brouwer’s arrangement of Danza Del Altiplano - based on a Peruvian folk tune. The Altiplano is the Andean plateau located primarily in Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
Having been trying to revisit thsi piece, your correspondent did a trawl of the internet to find out how it really should be played. The result was this lesson from Rafael Elizondo.
Mr. Elizondo explains in detail the score and its subtleties, he uses images of the score and highlights the relevant points as he talks and demonstrates the various sections. This is very informative and worth spending time on.
OK, it is in Spanish but your correspondent found it easy to follow. You need to count up to 3, uno, dos, tres and be aware that he uses the tonic sol-fa. Of course you can use subtitles on YouTube and use the auto-translation function. Better in Spanish though.
Watch Video Lesson HERE
Symphony Hall
Birmingham
Pat Metheny
Thursday, Nov 14th, 7:30 pm
A chance to see the outstanding guitarist Pat Metheny here in the UK. Not classical guitar of course but a very innovative guitarist whose music covers many genres and well worth a trip to Brum to see him in this solo performance.
Pat is currently on a world tour promoting both his last release “DreamBox” and the new album, “MoonDial” scheduled for release in July this year. DreamBox was created from music Pat Metheny had recorded during downtime on various tours. These were lying dormant on his hard drive until he discovered the folder and chose the best nine tracks for this album.
One track has been released as a teaser from the MoonDial album and there is a link to that below.
Pat Metheny is highly rated by many musicians; Gary Ryan pays tribute in the sleeve notes on his Worlds Apart album, particularly for the track West Coast Breeze. Good opportunity to see him in his only UK date on this tour.
B:Music Website & Tickets HERE
MoonDial Title Track HERE
Mēla at Church Stretton
Mēla Guitar Quartet
Church Stretton August 7th 7:30 pm
At this years Church Stretton and South Shropshire Arts Festival we have the opportunity of seeing the Mela Guitar Quartet. When it is so difficult to find concerts featuring classical guitar it is encouraging to see the Church Stretton Festival continuing to feature such music.
The Quartet won the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Ensemble competition in 2023. Part of their prize will be a tour of America next year, so good opportunity to catch them this August in St. Laurence’s Church, Church Stretton.
There’s loads of information about the Quartet and its members on the Church Stretton website, link below. There’s also a link to the Mēla Quartet’s own website where there's music videos and samples of their various albums. Worth a look (and listen).
Tickets available on Church Stretton website from June 1st.
Church Stretton Website & Tickets HERE
Mēla Quartet Website HERE
¡Flamenco!
Friday Sept 27th
Daniel Martinez Flamenco
New Production “Andalucia"
Swan Theatre, Worcester
Daniel Martinez has a new production, Andalucia, which is a musical representation of the eight regions that make up the autonomous community of Andalucia in the South of Spain, the birthplace of flamenco; Cordoba, Sevilla, Cadiz, Malaga, Jaen, Granada, Huelva and Almeria.
Each region has its own distinct take on the very many diverse styles that make up flamenco and these will be presented to the audience through Daniel’s guitar, and accompanied by an array of flamenco musicians, singers, a chamber orchestra ensemble and flamenco dance.
All of the music for Andalucia, including the full chamber orchestra, has been written and composed by Daniel himself.
The production visited the Town Hall in Birmingham on March 15th 2024, and comes to Worcester’s Swan Theatre on Friday, September 27th. Although this doesn’t feature in any brochures yet, we have a link to this production below and tickets are available now.
Tickets from Worcester Theatres HERE
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