Wealden Guitar Society Visit

It was a real smorgesbjord for the astute pluck and strummers out there!! The night's session began with the BGS practice of the Scarlatti Sonata under the gentle baton of Ray 'Don't Mess Me About' Butcher!!

While the turnout was quite good , we seeme to be missing some of the big hitters for Guitar 1 section of the Sonata which left poor Tom Page to carry the can for us all. (Which he did superbly). Unfortunately the speed issue was a problem with the result that I copped a musical 'speeding ticket' from the conductor for going too fast. I will have to spend more time between now and June in the slow lane with my metronome as punishment.

On the whole despite these few setbacks, the piece is coming on. However we will need the AWOL members of Guitar part 1 to be present next month (and more importantly) in July 18th when the Federation of Guitar Societies meets once more at Enfield. Ray has indicated that this time thre will be a small charge of £8 to cover costs for refreshments and other incidentals. Please note that more details about the Federation Meeting will be appear later on the blog site and in the BGS newsletter......as soon as I hear from Ray!! In the meantime keep watching this space!

The Wealden Guitar Society joined us later on inthe evening and presented a wonderful program of solos and ensembles. Special thanks to Ray Love and his team for providing such a great program for us all. There were some delightful pieces performed , much of which I captured on video (as you can see below)

Listen to this delightful version of Simone Molinaro's 'Passamezzo' performed by Eileen and Shalom Cohen.




Absolutely wonderful!!!

Lute Society News


1 NORFOLK LUTE DUET CONCERT
Saturday 15th May at 7.30pm at St Andrew's Church, Great Ryburgh, Norfolk.I Musicanti Music for four, five and six voices from Tudor times to the present.....selected to appeal to all tastes with music for 2 lutes and topical readings. With David Capp and Peter Trent lutesMany thanks,Peter

2. LONDON CONCERTS THIS WEEK
Two concerts with the Amphion Consort this week:
Thursday 13 May 6.30 pmModerne e Curiose Inventioni Dazzling sonatas for two violins amd chitarrone by the famous virtuosi of the day:Fontana, Castello, Merula , Piccinini and Salomone Rossi el Ebreo.Alison Bury (leader of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment) and Jennifer Bennett - baroque violinYair Avidor - chitarroneHandel House Museum, London http://www.handelhouse.org/news-and-events/live-music/
Friday 14 May 4pm A baroque recital of violin sonatas and therobo music by Biber, Bach ,Corelli and Robert de ViseeJennifer Bennett baroque violinYair Avidor theorbo A concert at Dulwich Library as part of the Dulwich Festival http://dulwichfestival.co.uk/

3. OUD AND VOICE INTERVIEW ON RADIO
This week on Wednesday I have a radio interview with my group Jaljala (with Abdul-Salam Kheir, Voice & Oud, Haytham Souba'i, Percussion and Meg Hamilton Violin for London Diaspora Live on Radio Resonance 104.4fm (http://resonancefm.com/).
The interview is from 6-7pm, we will be playing some of our recordings, some live tracks, as well as some music that has inspired us!
Please do listen in if you can - apparently it's better online if you have internet than over the radio.
http://resonancefm.com/listen
Our myspace is: www.myspace.com/jaljala.
With all best wishes
Merit
-- merit ariane stephanoswww.myspace.com/meritariane0044-7971-339398


4. GUITAR COURSE
Subject: BMG FEDERATION CLASSICAL GUITAR COURSE

Gerald Garcia is tutoring a classical guitar course as part of the BMG Federation summer school 11th – 13th June at Benslow Music Trust, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. I am doing some extra publicity to try to boost numbers and wonder if you would be able to publicise it to the members of Greenwood Guitar Society please. I have attached a flyer which focuses on the guitar course. Please let me know if you want any further information.

Regards
Secretary, BMG Federation


5. MATTHEW HOLMES LUTE BOOK RECITAL TOUR

Dear friends,
I am giving several solo lute recitals in May in the UK and Germany. My programme features music from the greatest English lute manuscript, the Matthew Holmes book in Cambridge University Library, which dates from the 'golden age' of the lute at the end of the sixteenth century. Composers include Anthony Holborne, John Johnson, Francesco da Milano and of course John Dowland. I do hope you'll be able to make it to one of the concerts, and I look forward to seeing you.

All best wishes

Peter Martin

Sunday 16 May at 11.30 a.m. The Nave1 St Paul’s RoadLondon N1 2QNhttp://www.thenave.org/

Monday 17 May at 1 p.m.Bury St Edmunds festivalUnitarian Meeting HouseBury St EdmundsIP33 1RHhttp://www.buryfestival.co.uk/

Tuesday 18 May at 1.10 p.m.University of ReadingVan Emden theatreWhitenights ReadingRG6 6AAhttp://www.reading.ac.uk/

Sunday 23 May at 8 p.m.2nd European Lute FestivalHohes Schloss, RittersaalFüssen im Allgäu, Germanyhttp://www.lautengesellschaft.de/


-- Peter Martin

Belle SerreLa Caulié81100 CastresFrance

tel: 0033 (0)5 63 35 68 46mob: 0044 (0)7971 232614e:

Štěpán Rak at the BCU

Štěpán Rak - genius of the guitar, will be performing a solo concert at the recital hall of the Birmingham Conservatoire on Saturday 22nd May, 2010. It is one of only two dates he will be playing in this country and this concert is being produced by the WCGS in association with the guitar department of the conservatoire.

"There is no real purpose in the course of this brief review for juxtaposing adjectives acclaiming his brilliance, technical mastery, and what-not. Those who have heard Rak 'live' in concert will know what I mean, while those who have not heard him in such a setting cannot fully appreciate the magic and wizardry involved. Go to his concert, listen with your ears and with your heart, and you'll understand."

David Norton, California 1990

Visit Štěpán Rak page for more details of the concert at BCU http://www.worcesterguitar.co.uk/acts/Rak/Stepan_Rak.php
You can reserve tickets for Štěpán Rak at BCU by calling 01886 832715 or by emailing us at tickets@worcesterguitar.co.uk


Please note that a limited number of seats are available and you should reserve your tickets early if you wish to avoid disappointment.

Štěpán Rak and Neil Smith at Whalley Abbey
This will be followed on the Sunday 23rd May with a 7.30 concert at Whalley Abbey in Lancashire in which Štěpán will team up with Neil Smith for a concert of two of Europe's most respected elder statesmen of the guitar.
The story goes that Štěpán contacted Neil and suggested they should do something special together to celebrate their 65th birthday's. For those of you who may remember Štěpán from his last visit to the UK at the West Dean festival almost a decade ago, and for those of you who will have heard Neil play in the meantime, you will appreciate the irony of imagining these two magicians of the guitar as anything like "retiring gentlemen".

If you are interested in attending the Whalley Abbey concert (as well, we hope) then please note that tickets will NOT be available on the door at Whalley Abbey and that they can only be purchased beforehand, directly from Neil.

You can find directions to Whalley Abbey here » http://www.whalleyabbey.co.uk/location.asp
Download the poster » http://www.contact.worcesterguitar.co.uk/downloads/Whalley.pdf

In the meantime please visit Štěpán's MySpace page which features several tracks including, 'Irish Tea' (in praise of tea), 'Saltarello' from 6 Early Dances, 'Song for David' and 'Digeridoo'... a small sample of this prodigous and highly imaginative composer's output.

You can buy tickets for Štěpán Rak and Neil Smith at Whalley Abbey by contacting Neil on 07818 431575 or by email at » guitarsmith@sky.com
www.myspace.com/stepanrak
http://www.guitaristuk.com/

The London Classical Guitar Festival is back!

Now in its third year, the LCGF is already prestigiously established as the only Latin classical guitar festival in Europe, taking the guitar back to its origins as the definitive Latin instrument, with a feast of music from Spain, Portugal and Latin America, performed by some of the most celebrated international guitarists of the moment from both sides of the Atlantic. Organised by ILAMS (the Iberian and Latin American Music Society) in collaboration with the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Festival takes place at its natural home, the Bolívar Hall - without doubt the ideal venue to hear this repertoire in London, with an unrivalled acoustic for guitar. For anyone wishing to become better acquainted with Luso-Hispanic classical music, this festival is a must.

LCGF: Music for Guitar and Oboe
Tue 11 May 2010, 7.30pm Bolívar Hall 54 Grafton Way London W1T 5DL United Kingdom
Marios Argiros (oboe) & Dimitris Dekavallas (guitar)
Formed in 2004, the Argiros-Dekavallas Duo have performed widely both in the UK and abroad, bringing a fresh new alternative to the traditional guitar-flute format. Their programme features a mixture of exciting originals and arrangements from their recent debut album Music for Oboe and Guitar.

Celso Machado Musiques populaires brésiliennes
Napoleon Coste Consolazione–Romance, Marche et Scherzo, Les Regrets–Cantabile
Roland Dyens Tango en SkaïAstor Piazzolla Libertango, L’Histoire du Tango
Heitor Villa-Lobos Bachianas brasileiras No. 5, Distribuição de flores, Etude No. 11

http://www.argirosdekavallasduo.com/http://www.dimitrisdekavallas.com/

*Click here to join ILAMS and reserve your seat.

The LCGF is sponsored by Christopher Pollard

Tours http://www.christopherpollardtours.com/LONDON CLASSICAL GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010Information:Web siteE-mail020 8852 3381Tickets: Admission free; exclusive reservations for ILAMS members*

LCGF: 'Guitar Passion'
Wed 12 May 2010, 7.30pm Bolívar Hall 54 Grafton Way London W1T 5DL United Kingdom

Appassionata Trio: Rebecca Baulch, Amanda Cook & Hayley Savage

'Performance of the highest order. A persuasive and accessible programme superbly presented.' Classical Guitar Magazine

3 girls; 3 guitars.


Famed for their innovative programming and passionate performances, Appassionata Trio, formed in 2003, have performed live on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3’s In Tune, and have given highly-acclaimed concerts in the USA, Germany, Italy, Denmark and across the UK. After a two-year absence, the Appassionata Trio make a much-awaited return to the London stage with a feast of exuberant repertoire, plus a taste of their new album.

Johann Sebastian Bach Trio Sonata BWV526 (arr. by R. Baulch)
Mark Houghton Beyond Horizons
Paulo Bellinati Baião de gude, Maractau da pipa
Django Reinhardt Tiger Rag, Blue Drag, Minor Swing (arr. by R. Baulch)
Hayley Savage Arabah C’ar
Claude Debussy Clair de Lune (arr. by A. Cook)
Carlos Gardel Por una cabeza (arr. by R. Baulch & B. Coulthard)
Angel Cabral Que nadie sepa mi sufrir (arr. by R. Baulch & B. Coulthard)
Astor Piazzolla Vuelvo al sur (arr. by R. Baulch & B. Coulthard)
Gerardo Matos Rodríguez La cumparsita (arr. by R. Baulch & B. Coulthard)

http://www.appassionataguitartrio.net/

The LCGF is sponsored by Christopher Pollard

Tours http://www.christopherpollardtours.com/LONDON CLASSICAL GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010Booking information:Web siteE-mail020 8852 3381Tickets: £9 in advance / £9 ILAMS members and concessions on the door / £12 on the door

LCGF: ‘More Latin Guitar Masters on 10 Strings’
Thu 13 May 2010, 7.30pm Bolívar Hall 54 Grafton Way London W1T 5DL United Kingdom

‘A Nostradamus of classical guitar...’ Pat Mastelotto

Christian Saggese sets jaw-dropping new technical and expressive standards on the guitar. He stole the show at the 2009 LCGF, making his UK debut, and is back this year by popular demand. Saggese re-interprets classics of the repertoire in his own transcriptions for 10-strings.

Francisco Tárrega Seis preludios
Agustín Barrios Mangoré Julia Florida, Vals Op. 8 No. 3, Confesión,
Cazaapa Julián Arcas Punto de la Habana
Federico Mompou Canción
Heitor Villa-Lobos Valsa-Choro, Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, Etude No.12
Antonio Lauro María Luisa, Nocturno, Seis por derecho
Alberto Ginastera Sonata Op. 47

*Click here to join ILAMS and reserve your seat.

The LCGF is sponsored by Christopher Pollard Tours http://www.christopherpollardtours.com/
LONDON CLASSICAL GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010Information:Web siteE-mail020 8852 3381Tickets: Admission free; exclusive reservations for ILAMS members*

LCGF: John Williams Explores the Life and Music of Barrios
Fri 14 May 2010, 7.30pm Bolívar Hall 54 Grafton Way London W1T 5DL United Kingdom

Guitar legend John Williams, ‘recognised as one of, if not the greatest, classical guitarists of his time’, makes a rare appearance on the London stage to explore the life and music of the seminal Latin guitarist and composer Agustín Barrios Mangoré, in an open discussion.
http://www.johnwilliamsguitar.com/

*Click here to join ILAMS and reserve your seat.
The LCGF is sponsored by Christopher Pollard Tours http://www.christopherpollardtours.com/LONDON CLASSICAL GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010Information:Web siteE-mail020 8852 3381Tickets: Admission free; exclusive reservations for ILAMS members*

LCGF: Festival Gala
Sat 15 May 2010, 7.30pm Bolívar Hall 54 Grafton Way LondonW1T 5DL United Kingdom
Dekavallas-Argiros Duo; Christian Saggese; Albach Duo; Morgan Szymanski; Ahmed Dickinson
If you missed any of the events in this year's London Classical Guitar Festival, don't despair - the festival closes with the traditional Gala, featuring a selection of the Festival artists, plus the return of some very special guests from the 2009 Festival, including Morgan Szymanski and Ahmed Dickinson. Programme includes Piazzolla, Lauro, Cardoso, Mores, Brouwer, and Martín. Audience members are invited to a complimentary wine reception following the event.
The LCGF Gala is an especially popular event and you are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Alternatively, *click here if you would like to join ILAMS to reserve your seat in advance.
The LCGF is sponsored by Christopher Pollard

Tours http://www.christopherpollardtours.com/LONDON CLASSICAL GUITAR FESTIVAL 2010Information:Web siteE-mail020 8852 3381Tickets: Admission free, with complimentary wine reception; exclusive reservations for ILAMS members*

News from the Lute Society


Don't forget the Lute Society meeting at the Dutch Church ,7 Austin Friars, London EC2N 2HA, [nearest tubes, Bank, Liverpool Street] this Saturday 8th May.


It will be a day full of musical treats - don't miss it!


We will also have on sale a more or less complete range of French, Spanish, Belgian and Dutch lute society publications.


The timetable is:


10.30 Coffee

11.00 Gestures in lute song, talk and demonstration by Rosemary Carlton-Willis, accompanied by David Miller
12.00 Mini-recital of Sanz and Vivaldi transcriptions on 13 course lute, played by Dale Harris.
12.30 Break for lunch

2.00 Mini-recital of lute songs performed, self-accompanied, by David Protheroe2.30 AGM3.45 Tea

4.15 The Lute Society recital, David van Ooijen and Michiel Nissen play the virtuoso renaissance lute duets of Terzi


No need to book - just turn up, and bring friends if you wish.


Hope to see you there.


IMPORTANT NOTICES ABOUT THE OXFORD RESIDENTIAL WEEKEND, AUGUST 20-22.
Two important notices:
1. We haven't finalised the contract yet, IF YOU ARE THINKING OF COMING, PLEASE EXPRESS PREFERENCE FOR ENSUITE/NON ENSUITE ROOMS ETC. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THIS WEEK IF POSSIBLE - so that we can book the appropriate number of rooms.


2. No conference venue is perfect - the big problem in Oxford will be parking which is very expensive there. The university generally advises people to come by public transport - which in turn means that we will have to plan carefully which lutes to bring. If a few individuals with big cars are prepared to give lifts from their region to fellow participants and a carfull of lutes, then we may well pay overnight parking fees on your behalf. PLEASE SAY IF YOU ARE PREPARED FOR YOUR CAR TO BE A 'LUTE CARRIER'

Message from Peter Martin

Dear friends,
I am giving several solo lute recitals in May in the UK and Germany. My programme features music from the greatest English lute manuscript, the Matthew Holmes book in Cambridge University Library, which dates from the 'golden age' of the lute at the end of the sixteenth century. Composers include Anthony Holborne, John Johnson, Francesco da Milano and of course John Dowland. I do hope you'll be able to make it to one of the concerts, and I look forward to seeing you.

All best wishes


Peter Martin

Sunday 16 May at 11.30 a.m.
The Nave1
St Paul’s Road
London N1 2QN
www.thenave.org
Download concert leaflet

Monday 17 May at 1 p.m.
Bury St Edmunds festival
Unitarian Meeting House
Bury St EdmundsIP33 1RH
www.buryfestival.co.uk

Tuesday 18 May at 1.10 p.m.
University of Reading Van Emden theatre
Whitenights Reading RG6 6AA www.reading.ac.uk

Sunday 23 May at 8 p.m.2nd European Lute Festival
Hohes Schloss, Rittersaal
Füssen im Allgäu, Germany
www.lautengesellschaft.de

-- Peter Martin
Belle SerreLa Caulié
81100 Castres
Francetel: 0033 (0)5 63 35 68 46mob: 0044 (0)7971 232614e:
peter.lute@gmail.comwww.silvius.co.uk