In the House of Andres Segovia - Spanish Music - Selection No 11

[gerardcarey]

 

[Former member 49149]

An emoticon will not do. Thank you for offering this time of transport to a different waking up space. Among many things said by Segovia in the film, I nodded my head when he spoke of the effect of turmoil across all the arts. While listening, the day has replaced the darkness. I will go out with this beautiful film in my head.

 

[Former member 49149]

I have just read an article that addresses the fact that the arts are shaped by reality - how could they not?!

Fintan O’Toole: Covid-19 pandemic might be good for the arts – eventually

Current scenario heightens our perceptions and new artists will emerge from it

www.irishtimes.com

i have forwarded the link to Segovia to some friends, and all are rightly impressed.

 

[peregrina2000]

I look forward to watching this video, thanks so much for posting. I remember that when I went with some Spanish friends to see Narciso Yepes perform the Concierto de Aranjuez many many years ago, they told me that Joaquín Rodrigo (the composer) had offered Segovia the chance to play the premier performance, but he had refused because he thought the concierto wasn’t good enough. They also told me that he disdained flamenco. But aside from those two strikes against him (in my unsophisticated musical book, at least), I know that the world recognizes him as the 20th century’s best guitarist. I often listen to his music, and for me the Albeniz Granada is about as pretty as it gets.

 

[C clearly]

They also told me that he disdained flamenco.

I watched the video, but not hanging on every word. I recall him mentioning flamenco, but not disdaining it. He was just into another type of music.

 

[peregrina2000]

C clearly, your comment prompted me to dig deeper. Now I have the ten things I needed to know about Andrés Segovia.

https://sessionville.com/articles/10-things-you-now-know-about-andres-segovia

And I found that he said this: "Paco de Lucía no es ni flamenco ni músico, sólo tiene unos dedos listos". (Paco de Lucía is neither flamenco nor a musician, he just has some really clever fingers.”) I think that tips the scale for me in favor of Paco de Lucía and flamenco, but I don’t deny Segovia’s genius.

 

[Kanga]

This reminded me to get out my old CD of Joaquín Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. A sublime piece of music that never fails to move me.

 

[gerardcarey]

John Williams vs Andres Segovia

https://www.veojam.com/news/archives/157/williams-vs-segovia

 

[Kanga]

@gerardcarey very interesting. Out of curiosity, which did you prefer? I liked the Williams' rendition better.

 

[peregrina2000]

John Williams vs Andres Segovia

https://www.veojam.com/news/archives/157/williams-vs-segovia

Ahhh, more strife and conflict among the virtuosi. I suppose it is not surprising, but it is sad.

Julian Bream joins the slugfest in the comments at the end of the article. He apparently said that Segovia was a very gifted guitarist but not a gifted musician. Can someone explain what that means?

@gerardcarey very interesting. Out of curiosity, which did you prefer? I liked the Williams' rendition better.

I agree with you, Kanga, but here, IMO is a more emotive version than either of them. I heard her play it years ago.

 

[gerardcarey]

@gerardcarey very interesting. Out of curiosity, which did you prefer? I liked the Williams' rendition better.

I'm with Williams all the way, in the fluidity and tone of his rendition. However I feel that the Segovia recording itself is lacking in quality and clarity so perhaps a comparison is unfair.
And Ana never fails to delight!

 

[Former member 49149]

As a failed guitarist and a wishful thinking Amateur Wimbledon class tennis player, Impressionist painter, poor wordsmith - I just enjoy what I recognise within me as delight when my taste in music is there for me to pay attention to it. Thanks for the three versions, I enjoyed them all.

 

[Marcus-UK]

C clearly, your comment prompted me to dig deeper. Now I have the ten things I needed to know about Andrés Segovia.

https://sessionville.com/articles/10-things-you-now-know-about-andres-segovia

And I found that he said this: "Paco de Lucía no es ni flamenco ni músico, sólo tiene unos dedos listos". (Paco de Lucía is neither flamenco nor a musician, he just has some really clever fingers.”) I think that tips the scale for me in favor of Paco de Lucía and flamenco, but I don’t deny Segovia’s genius.

Segovia was a complicated person with many views that probably rub some people up the wrong way. He was an undisputed Maestro of the guitar.
One of my favorite Segovia recollections is that he was informed that one of the Beetles had stated that "Segovia was the father of all Guitarists" Segovias response was either " Some children are Illegitimate!" or "Not all children are legitimate!" John Williams and Julian Bream both stated that he was a hard task master and finger techniques had to be "Just So" and alternatives were frowned upon.
BTW my daughters guitar teacher was a pupil of Paco de Lucia and she managed to a good level of proficiency. When i completed one of my Camino's I was requested to bring back some Gallician sheet music for Guitar. Which I managed to find in a music shop in Santiago de Compostella.