tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316277642024-03-07T06:30:10.411+00:00Life of a musician-Robin Hill'Throughout the evening Robin performed numerous guitar pieces showing just why he is a world class guitarist'. Nikki Luxford CBS NewsAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.comBlogger742125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-45155306655501641552020-06-23T20:51:00.000+01:002020-06-23T20:51:44.104+01:00The Guitar Gymnasium - Volume 2 by Robin Hill<div style="text-align: left;">
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<b>At last, The Guitar Gymnasium Volume 2 has arrived!</b></div>
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It's amazing to think that 'The Guitar Gymnasium' was written 20 years ago...this focused on performance and practice, alongside technique and has been very well received around the world. You can read about it <a href="https://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.com/2011/02/performance-and-practice-from-guitar.html">here</a>.</div>
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The Guitar Gymnasium Volume 2 continues to examine technique in detail with brand new exercises and insights from Robin. This draws on Robin's lifetime's experience of practice to achieve the high level required to perform in concert or record albums.</div>
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Also contained within the book are a large selection of pieces. Some of these are original compositions and some are favourites of the classical guitar repertoire. </div>
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All pieces have extensive fingering and interpretative advice. The book also contains many inspirational quotations, some from musicians and some from non-musicians.</div>
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The Guitar Gymnasium Volume 2 is available for immediate download from <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/21801139">Sheet Music Plus</a>.</div>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-54850305766555935992020-03-08T16:29:00.000+00:002020-03-09T14:33:52.717+00:00Grow - Felix Hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPoWtI_Ieequhr30NGKuzo8yz8s7seoqdG6_BcNnDV8hmyykHJE4d9VTThjaBYiTJcCf_Ok9DBU1hl9OPdSIMEpNzgSsARAk_9Agv7pECeUJ0wYgw0Ww5vpmpMzZnUP45q0DWAg/s1600/streelight+panarama+-+ep+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPoWtI_Ieequhr30NGKuzo8yz8s7seoqdG6_BcNnDV8hmyykHJE4d9VTThjaBYiTJcCf_Ok9DBU1hl9OPdSIMEpNzgSsARAk_9Agv7pECeUJ0wYgw0Ww5vpmpMzZnUP45q0DWAg/s320/streelight+panarama+-+ep+.JPG" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
Felix Hill has released his 3rd single, 'Grow', you can listen on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/287ZdHD5LaPZMAD0Ep3JnU">Spotify</a> and it can be found on all digital platforms. To hear all his songs, 'Pale Moons', 'Streetlight Panorama' and 'Grow', go to his <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2a56MbMIIhZgKvpXkfKFMi">Spotify page</a>.<br />
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They are all very different and 'Grow' reflects another of Felix's many musical influences. The topic, concerning the break up of a relationship, is a familiar one to most people. <br />
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From a very early age, Felix has listened to many diverse styles. I'm as likely to hear Frank Sinatra blasting from his room as I am the Arctic Monkeys, Declan McKenna or Rex Orange County.<br />
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I feel that 'Grow' highlights this very well. It has an 'old school' feel, which reflects his interest in Sinatra, Chet Baker, Wayne Newton and more recent artists, Michael Bublé and Bruno Major. There's no hiding place in the vocals for a song like this and I feel the depth of emotion Felix has achieved is way beyond his mere 17 years.<br />
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As with his other recordings, Felix plays all the instruments except the drums. These were recorded by the wonderful <a href="http://www.mauricecheetham.com/">Maurice Cheetham</a>.<br />
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Grow has already been performed live a number of times, with Felix's excellent drummer Ewan McDonough and is always very well received. Their next gig is on Saturday 14th March, Off The Square, Manchester, and tickets are available <a href="https://www.fatsoma.com/scruffoftheneck/5i5hji5f/pastel-manchester-off-the-square?fbclid=IwAR2B203Xw_CEcu-25S768t-DJFzojTMJns7APSjTqlhhVyexfOMM_6R6jtI">here</a>.<br />
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-82520050714397521482019-09-30T22:08:00.000+01:002019-09-30T22:18:47.541+01:00Streetlight Panorama - Felix Hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3l9Sd06WnKAX5F5t4aZkyPWFLLbujzHIJzRzNGaTQqgqGqQIFpUa-nzj90OtQOq8UlBYRkLHOTACVKGX9tTgf1T5fBOE6ZkaST-2MhLKM2Wh4ij8RA6XkYH0_TGFvAG_NMx-wg/s1600/Streetlight+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3l9Sd06WnKAX5F5t4aZkyPWFLLbujzHIJzRzNGaTQqgqGqQIFpUa-nzj90OtQOq8UlBYRkLHOTACVKGX9tTgf1T5fBOE6ZkaST-2MhLKM2Wh4ij8RA6XkYH0_TGFvAG_NMx-wg/s320/Streetlight+cover.JPG" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="500" /></a></div><br />
Felix has released his second single, 'Streetlight Panorama', a fast-paced indie-rock song, which reflects the current struggles that many people face, and tries to highlight the often-overlooked details of our society. The driving drums and the layering of instruments show the gradual change in our lives, with memorable and hard-hitting lyrics. The timing coincides with his gig at the Deaf Institute in Manchester, an established and well-respected venue. <br />
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Felix also plays all the instruments on the single, apart from the drums which were recorded by the fantastic musician <a href="http://www.mauricecheetham.com">Maurice Cheetham</a>.<br />
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Streetlight Panorama is very different from Felix's first single, 'Pale Moons', and this highlights his diverse musical influences. Having grown up surrounded by music it is no surprise that he regularly listens to artists as varied as the Arctic Monkeys, Sam Fender, Rex Orange County, Chet Baker, The Beatles, Bruno Major, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie and many more.<br />
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You can find Streetlight Panorama on all the usual digital outlets, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/36cbsn9JNE6jxJnELjc41z">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/streetlight-panorama/1480854152?i=1480854153">Apple Music</a>, Amazon etc.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-23256142995713673112019-07-04T20:39:00.000+01:002019-07-04T20:39:30.834+01:00Pale Moons - Felix Hill the Nature/Nurture Debate Continues...<br />
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Back in 2007, I wrote a post called, <a href="https://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.com/2007/06/musicality-and-naturenurture-debate.html">'Musicality and the Nature/Nuture Debate'</a>, where I looked at the musical skills of both our sons. It was interesting for me to look back at it, particularly due to current events.<br />
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Our youngest son, Felix, is now 16 and has just released a single. This is an achievement in its own right but he has done this completely on his own, lyrics, guitar, the whole song. Not only that but he also has many more all ready to record.<br />
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He only started playing the guitar 3 years ago and whilst he has dabbled in songwriting for much of that time it was only in the last few months that something 'clicked' in his brain and he started writing songs of high quality on a daily basis.<br />
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This started when he was revising for his mock GCSE's and continued throughout his actual exams some months later. He literally disappeared studying for 2 hours, came downstairs and wrote half a song then completed it on his next revision break. It was astounding to see and hear as the days and weeks went by.<br />
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Of course, both boys have grown up in a very musical background, they have not only heard Robin practice the guitar for many hours every day but also been exposed to music from many artists via the radio, CDs, vinyl and live performances. So we shouldn't be surprised at the interest both boys have shown in music.<br />
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But today is all about Felix, his first single is now available and more will surely follow.<br />
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Why not go and have a listen, 'Pale Moons' can be found on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6N7dKrcaNhes2RPysj8WlP">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pale-Moons-Felix-Hill/dp/B07THS1TXM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Felix+Hill&qid=1562254012&s=dmusic&search-type=ss&sr=1-1">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/1469841030">Apple Music</a>, and many other digital outlets.<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-79345111202403562202019-07-02T21:05:00.001+01:002019-07-02T21:05:52.917+01:00Robin, the Bat Guitar and the Cricket World Cup<br />
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Robin has been very busy recently with several of his more unusual gigs...<br />
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For the last few weeks, he has been playing an electric cricket bat guitar at Old Trafford and Headingley as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup. His first match was a massive one between Pakistan and India to a worldwide audience of over a billion!<br />
Standing on a podium at the pitchside, following a cue in his earpiece, he plays a famous guitar riff every time a wicket is taken. The riffs are an eclectic mix of Hendrix, Guns 'n' Roses, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Clapton, etc., etc.<br />
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The spectators have been loving it as they can view proceedings on a giant screen. Over the tournament, word has spread and Robin has been getting many messages of encouragement on Facebook and also some requests! (which he has snuck in from time to time...) He has also been talking about it on BBC Radio and made the local newspapers!<br />
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One of the perks of the job has been an excellent view of all the matches he has performed at and he has thoroughly enjoyed the phenomenal cricket he has been able to observe at close quarters. <br />
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If you aren't able to attend but are watching on Sky, you'll still be able to hear him in the background!<br />
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It has been an honour to take on this role and he still has a couple left to do, so why not try and spot him...<br />
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Here's Robin practising one of the riffs, 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC...<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-58388085891935101342019-04-04T16:14:00.000+01:002019-04-04T16:14:42.620+01:00New Podcast: Robin talks about the Bolling ConcertoRobin has recorded a new podcast in which he talks about Claude Bolling's 'Concerto for Classic Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio'. <br />
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This fantastic concerto is in seven highly contrasting movements and Robin discusses each of them in turn with musical examples from the Robin Hill Quartet.<br />
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This is a virtuoso work which places great demands on the two soloists, guitar and piano which are expertly complimented by the double bass and drums. <br />
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The musicians are: Robin Hill - Guitar<br />
Stephen Wood - Piano<br />
Dave Lynane - Double-bass<br />
Maurice Cheetham - Drums<br />
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Robin gave this work its UK Premiere, so it has always been a very important piece for him.<br />
You can hear it <a href="https://soundcloud.com/robin-hill-20/guitar-gymnasium-podcast-4-robin-discusses-the-bolling-concerto">here</a>.<br />
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-58740691760620656002018-10-24T16:56:00.000+01:002018-10-24T16:56:48.350+01:00Robin Hill plays Bach's Prelude from Cello Suite No.1<br />
This piece has long been one of my favourites. I have been playing and performing it for many years and always find it optimistic and uplifting.<br />
This particular performance was unplanned, I was actually being filmed with a band for a future project (watch this space...) when the director, Oliver Hill, (my eldest son!) insisted we film a solo piece. I'm delighted he did. <br />
The guitar is actually a flamenco guitar made in 1963 by Manuel Reyes.<br />
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<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/296889813">Robin Hill plays Prelude from Cello Suite No.1 by J.S.Bach</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user90975876">Robin Hill</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-39408447572377359402018-06-22T20:55:00.000+01:002018-06-22T21:37:50.647+01:00The Robin Hill Quartet play Claude Bolling - 'Concerto for Classic Guitar & Jazz Piano Trio'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqdpEbVLVLimaomvWLLJBPx8nIUwVacqUUO2hdYEX1rU0FOEe2gYMpxw9KUtmJChqe8cRosfJyXhx87VUsXVZEF_olT6OLDjB_TNrJX9fGTLcRrkVrtwpnsdeaKo0YONmbODb5Q/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqdpEbVLVLimaomvWLLJBPx8nIUwVacqUUO2hdYEX1rU0FOEe2gYMpxw9KUtmJChqe8cRosfJyXhx87VUsXVZEF_olT6OLDjB_TNrJX9fGTLcRrkVrtwpnsdeaKo0YONmbODb5Q/s320/IMG_1604.JPG" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="500" /></a></div><br />
I am delighted to announce the release of, The Robin Hill Quartet's recording of Claude Bolling's Concerto for Classic Guitar & Jazz Piano Trio. You can find it on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/concerto-for-classic-guitar-jazz-piano-trio/1400943041">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concerto-Classic-Guitar-Jazz-Piano/dp/B07DV4Z1QY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529694031&sr=8-1&keywords=Robin+Hill+Quartet">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Concerto-Classic-Guitar-Jazz-Piano/dp/B07DTJNSCL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529694088&sr=8-1&keywords=Robin+Hill+Quartet">Amazon USA</a>, <a href="https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/therobinhillquartet">CD Baby</a>, and wherever you normally buy your music!<br />
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<i>Recent review: 5* "Simply amazing. Sheer musical quality from Robin Hill and his trio. I would urge all of you to purchase this and listen to one of the worlds greatest guitarists have fun!" Verified Purchase - Andrew Wright.</i><br />
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This is a unique piece allowing the classical guitar to be heard in unfamiliar company. The chief protagonists are the guitar and the piano who partake in a fascinating dialogue throughout the seven movements.<br />
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To hear the classical guitar in this company is refreshing and exciting. I should know, as I have performed the piece many times live, and audiences love it.<br />
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One of the most difficult challenges in performing this work is finding the right players. I've been lucky enough to manage this twice! Firstly with Eklectica and secondly, this current recording with the Robin Hill Quartet.<br />
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The guitar's role is primarily, but not exclusively, in classical style. For example, the opening movement requires technical precision allied with a classical approach but the 'Africaine' begs for a laid-back jazz groove. <br />
The piano's role is both as an improvising jazz voice combined with the discipline of more classical writing. Thus it is very challenging to find a pianist who is comfortable in both camps. Stephen J. Wood fits the bill perfectly.<br />
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The percussion part is equally demanding and I have never heard it played better, or more effectively than by Maurice Cheetham. He combines energy, accuracy and groove with the needle-sharp articulation of a classical percussionist.<br />
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Dave Lynane supplies the essential jazz feel plus a significant contribution to the ensemble sound. The timbre of his double bass compliments the classical guitar beautifully.<br />
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I hope you enjoy the music, here is a review of a live performance we gave of this piece:<br />
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"This was the first performance by the quartet, consisting of Steve Wood, (Keyboards), Dave Lynane (Bass), Maurice Cheetham (drums) and Robin Hill (Classical Guitar). Of course, Robin Hill's reputation as a guitarist <i>par excellence</i> preceded him, but the quartet was an unknown quantity.<br />
The second half was taken up entirely by Claude Bolling's seven-movement <i>Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Trio</i>. I am firmly convinced that it is only the unusual line up that has stopped this piece being played more often. It was melodic, firmly entrenched in jazz, and contained a heady mixture of classical, Latin American and other styles too. I was left with the impression of a piece one must simply hear again. The playing throughout was impeccable. It was very demanding on them all and, for a first performance by the band, we had all experienced something remarkable." Chris Dumigan - Classical Guitar.<br />
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Available from: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/concerto-for-classic-guitar-jazz-piano-trio/1400943041">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concerto-Classic-Guitar-Jazz-Piano/dp/B07DV4Z1QY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529696529&sr=8-1&keywords=robin+hill+quartet">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Concerto-Classic-Guitar-Jazz-Piano/dp/B07DTJNSCL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529696566&sr=8-1&keywords=robin+hill+quartet">Amazon USA</a>, <a href="https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/therobinhillquartet">CD Baby</a> and all digital outlets.<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-25979872523193293872018-03-14T21:24:00.000+00:002018-03-14T21:27:59.253+00:00Sheet Music and Plenty of it...Robin has always composed and arranged music. Some of our regular readers may remember the, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2006/08/tidy-up.html">'Fandango in the Fridge'</a> post...<br />
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Recently he has been extremely busy preparing many pieces for download with one simple click.<br />
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There are now nearly 60 such pieces available from <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/search?Ntt=robin+hill">Sheet Music Plus</a>, for a variety of instruments.<br />
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The majority are guitar based, either solo or duo, but there are also arrangements for guitar and voice, flute and guitar, string quartet, piano and many more!<br />
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Many of the pieces are original compositions, such as, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/return-to-islay-digital-sheet-music/20000891">'Return to Islay'</a>, or, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/canzone-digital-sheet-music/20702697">'Canzone'</a>, both for solo guitar, but also original compositions for guitar duos such as, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/esercizio-no-1-tarantella-for-two-guitars-digital-sheet-music/20706100">'Esercizio No.1 'Tarantella' for two guitars'</a>.<br />
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For those with an interest in flamenco guitar you could try, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/fiesta-de-xabia-guitar-solo-digital-sheet-music/20707470">'Fiesta de Xabia'</a> which is a fiery and lively piece.<br />
<br />
However, there are also piano pieces, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/joydance-digital-sheet-music/20702707">'Joydance'</a> being one.<br />
<br />
Arranging music has played a huge role in Robin's life as a musician and he has always spent a great deal of time arranging, performing and recording the pieces of historical giants within the world of classical music. Some examples are, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/prelude-no-1-from-the-well-tempered-clavier-digital-sheet-music/20000939">'Prelude No 1 from The Well-Tempered Clavier</a>, J.S.Bach, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/sonata-l-483-for-solo-guitar-digital-sheet-music/20709733">'Sonata L.483 for solo guitar'</a>, Domenico Scarlatti, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/rigaudon-arranged-for-two-guitars-digital-sheet-music/20703858">'Rigaudon (arranged for two guitars)'</a>, Georg Frederic Handel, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/escorregando-arranged-for-flute-and-guitar-digital-sheet-music/20707668">'Escorregando (arranged for flute & Guitar)'</a>, Ernesto Nazareth, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/pavane-op-50-arranged-for-two-guitars-digital-sheet-music/20707836">'Pavane (Op.50 arranged for two guitars)'</a>, Gabriel Faure, and many, many more!<br />
<br />
Traditional music, whether, <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/limerick-rake-digital-sheet-music/20702672">Irish</a>, or <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-the-bleak-midwinter-arranged-for-two-guitars-digital-sheet-music/20703263">Christmas</a>, can also be found.<br />
<br />
There are too many pieces to mention individually here, but please feel free to have a look around on <a href="https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/search?Ntt=robin+hill">Sheet Music Plus</a> and check back frequently as new compositions and arrangements are being added all the time.<br />
<br />
If you feel a few Skype lessons could help get your fingers around some of the trickier pieces, well, just send me a message, and if there's any requests for a particular piece, well, you only have to ask.<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-85314314658268182102016-10-22T18:00:00.000+01:002016-10-22T18:00:35.515+01:00Ritual Fire Dance - Robin Hill & Peter Wiltschinsky New Release<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzVBFj515kxf4nNSkF2LE4R6Lqr39mgcFUgODnaEeXZZ1nPd0RWlQTUoP9quQjS3dnY5Ug3L7p9f9bT2MMdA1qamGXGcQDIKjtJKW-2IQtfsIFfQBKWApGf3IsGHvOUDEgbxyQQ/s1600/Ritual+Fire+Dance+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzVBFj515kxf4nNSkF2LE4R6Lqr39mgcFUgODnaEeXZZ1nPd0RWlQTUoP9quQjS3dnY5Ug3L7p9f9bT2MMdA1qamGXGcQDIKjtJKW-2IQtfsIFfQBKWApGf3IsGHvOUDEgbxyQQ/s320/Ritual+Fire+Dance+cover.JPG" width="320" height="320" /></a></div>This album was recorded without any edits, and on one track minus a shirt...all the playing is real and as it happened! The cover photo was taken at Hampton Court Palace during a break from recording in the beer cellar for BBC Radio.<br />
<br />
It features an eclectic mix of composers including Domenico Scarlatti, Fernando Sor, Felix Mendelssohn, Pierre Petit, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Mauro Guiliani, Manuel de Falla, Jan Marten Komter, Robin Hill and Peter Wiltschinsky.<br />
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The album also features a traditional Jota, arranged by Hill/Wiltschinsky and two Elizabethan lute duets, the first, Le Rossignol is anonymous and the second, My Lord Chamberlian's Galliard by John Dowland.<br />
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The opening Scarlatti sonata was the product of many hours recording and finally the duo got it to their satisfaction. Robin sprang out of his seat to celebrate, went straight to an upright piano in the corner of the room and started to play some boogie-woogie. After some time an inexperienced, stand-in engineer announced to the studio, "You'll be pleased to hear I recorded that." "Not over the Scarlatti I hope?" replied Robin.<br />
Unfortunately it was...<br />
The duo had to start the process all over again, but a fine version resulted.<br />
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After finally getting the second Scarlatti recording the duo decided to have a break, as it was late in the evening by this point. They visited a local pub, had a few beers and returned to the studio where they then recorded Felix Mendelssohn's beautiful 'Song Without Words'. I feel this actually added a certain mellow dimension to the recording.<br />
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For some inexplicable reason, during the recording of Mauro Guiliani's Variazioni Conertanti, track 13, Robin's microphone was picking up the friction between his shirt and guitar quite loudly. After much experimentation he eventually took his shirt off and recorded the track bare chested which seemed to solve the problem!<br />
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The traditional Jota, track 3, with its blistering triplet variation was recorded first take!<br />
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The Ritual Fire Dance, track 15, was played for many years by the duo as the final item on their programme and always elicited an encore.<br />
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You can hear excerpts of this album on <a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/ritual-fire-dance/id1167724806?mt=1&app=music">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://amzn.to/2eSP7ki">Amazon</a> and all the usual digital outlets.<br />
<br />
Here are the liner notes, by John W Duarte:<br />
<br />
Notes by John W. Duarte<br />
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Spain is the only country in which the guitar, in its various evolutionary forms, has played an uninterrupted part in the national music culture, yet the common description of the guitar as “Spanish” does not truly accord with the historical facts. The early (four and five-course) guitars were in use throughout Europe, the instrument in its present “classic” form probably first appeared in Italy or Austria, and only in the last decades of the 19th century and the first few of the 20th might it be said that the guitar’s centre of gravity lay firmly in Spain. Andrés Segovia reminded the rest of the world that the guitar is a beautiful and resourceful instrument, and that they were wrong in having allowed it to fall into neglect. The lesson was quickly learnt and the guitar resumed its internationality; it is now a “world” instrument in every respect, but it is from Europe that its 20th century gospel has spread.<br />
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The guitar, like the keyboard and the harp, is both a melodic and a harmonic instrument, which permits it to “borrow” music written for other media, and to present it with a fresh face. Most of Domenico Scarlatti’s 555+ sonatas for the harpsichord (another plucked string instrument) were written in Iberia, to test the mettle of his pupil Maria Barbara (a Portuguese princess who later became a Spanish queen). The didactic purpose of the Sonata K141 is clear, the rapidly reiterated notes: in some other sonatas Scarlatti marked such passages: “mutandi i detti” (alternate the fingers), which is exactly what a guitarist does here! Duets for two plucked-string fretted instruments have been a companionable activity for many centuries, a Canone a due liuti is among the works of Francisco Canova da Milano (1497-1543) and, such instruments being portable, they have been beloved of friendly amateurs - like Jane Pickering, who enjoyed making music with her friends and in whose lute-book (c1616) Le rossignol (the nightingale) is to be found. It is an ‘equal’ duet, in which the two players ‘converse’ on an equal footing. Duets in which both players share the same instrument (e.g. four hands on one piano) came later. John Dowland, the greatest lutenist of his time, may have been the first in the field with My Lord Chamberlaine his Galliard, “an invention for two to play upon one lute”, another ‘equal’ duet, in which the players balletically exchange roles - but not here. The music is sufficient in itself and the humour is in any case not visible in a recording!<br />
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Much keyboard music translates to two guitars, and when it is of a romantic character the marriage is a particularly happy one, as it is with the Song without Words Op19/1 of Mendelssohn. His eight cycles of Lieder ohne Worte are a recognition that an instrument, no less than a voice, can ‘sing’, as one guitar does here whilst the other provides the accompaniment. The sound of the guitar is rooted in the consciousness of most Spanish composers, so that two guitars can convincingly project the essence of the exciting Ritual Fire Dance from Falla’s ballet El amor bruno (Love the Magician), without need of the weight of sound of the original orchestral form.<br />
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Traditional songs and dances are not the special ‘property’ of any particular musical medium, but may happily be dressed in a wide variety of ways. The Irish folk song, The Lark in the Morning, with its bird-like trills, and the Jota, a Spanish dance whose simple ground opened the door to some flamboyant variations, provide excellent and contrasted examples of what may be added to such material through creative arrangements for two guitars.<br />
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When it comes to music that is directly written for the guitar, no-one does it more effectively than a composer who plays the instrument and knows its capabilities intimately. Fernando Sor, a Spaniard whose career carried him as far east as Russia and as far west as London, wrote 13 Fantasias of which the Fantasia Op.54 bis is the only one for guitar duo; the theme of the final movement was used by the Danish choreographer Auguste Bournonville in his ballet The Toreador (1840). Mauro Giuliani, an Italian virtuoso who moved to Vienna to enhance his career - and back again to Italy to escape the arm of the Viennese law, is often referred to as Sor’s “rival”; be that as it may, they were the two leading players of their time. Giuliani’s prolific compositional output (he had an avid Viennese salon public to satisfy) included many sets of variations; In the Variazioni concertanti the theme (probably Giuliani’s own) is preceded by an imposing introduction and followed by six contrasting variations in which he exploits the technical potential of two virtuoso players - who may originally have been Giuliani himself and his daughter Emilia.<br />
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Among the later guitarist/composers who have written for the duo medium are: Dimitris Fampas, whose romantic and ‘stateless’ Fantasie (dedicated to the Greek duo Evangelos and Liza) bears no trace of his Greek origins, Jan Marten Komter, the Managing Director of a Dutch chemical firm, amateur guitarist and flautist, the composer of the Milan Suite, with its overt references to the pavans of its eponym, the 16th-century Spanish vinuelista Luis Milan, and Robin Hill, whose Rondo for two guitars is in the classical mould (with earlier Iberian echoes of Padre Antonio Solar), and whose charming Canzone is one of a set of three studies for two guitars.<br />
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The remaining music on this disc is by composers that did not play the guitar but who nevertheless wrote generously for it. Jean Absil, a Belgian, composed for most musical media and his style ranged from the uncompromising to the accessible - as it is in his Three Pieces (1963) for guitar duo, from which the Musette comes; the pieces carry “baroque” titles but the music fulfils neither the promise nor the threat (according to your point of view!) of matching pastiche. Pierre Petit, erstwhile Director of Light Music for French Radio and TV, critic and composer, was one of many who were inspired to write for two guitars by the Duo Presti-Lagoya (which ended with the death of Ida Presti in 1967). The driving rhythms of the outer sections of his Toccata are interrupted by two slow, jazz-tinged episodes, and the work ends in a blaze of virtuosity. Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, a refugee from Mussolini’s Italy, emigrated to the U.S.A., finally settling in Beverly Hills. In his prodigious output of music he was unusually generous to the guitar; in this the original catalyst was Andrés Segovia, one of those who sponsored his entry into the U.S.A., but in the last year of his life he was equally captivated by Presti-Lagoya for whom he wrote (amongst other things) Les guitares bien-temperees, Op.199 (1962), prelude-and-fugue pairings in all major and minor keys. In this he followed the example of Bach’s Das Wohltemperierte Klavier but the pairings are differently ordered thus the Prelude and Fugue in F# minor are No. 13 in the series, not No. 14 as Bach had them. Neither is the musical language of Bach, it is Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s own.<br />
<br />
John W. Duarte<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-37677916668922248432016-02-15T16:50:00.000+00:002016-02-15T16:50:51.536+00:00'She Loves You' from 'Classic Beatles' by Robin Hill & Peter Wiltschinsky <br />
Early last year we released an album, 'Classic Beatles' which you can read about here, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/classic-beatles-robin-hill-peter.html">'Classic Beatles - Robin Hill & Peter Wiltschinsky'.</a><br />
<br />
Today we thought it would be nice to hear one track in its entirety and accompanied by some photographs of the duo taken over the years.<br />
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'She Loves You' is a favourite of most Beatles fans and therefore required a sensitive approach to maintain the essence of the piece.<br />
In this arrangement, by Robin, he uses many techniques to grab the listeners attention, such as the canon, counterpoint and some breath taking triplets at about a minute in.<br />
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You can hear more examples from the album on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/classic-beatles-classical/id977591569">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UULKXP6?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0">Amazon </a>and in fact many digital outlets.<br />
<br />
Also, for those who may want to try playing these pieces, or many others, there is a large catalogue of sheet music on <a href="http://www.robin-hill.co.uk/">our website</a>, under Hillhouse Editions Sheet Music.<br />
<br />
So, here is 'She Loves You'.<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1tS-hE07OiY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-67070081033959113642015-10-06T14:40:00.001+01:002015-10-06T14:40:29.338+01:00Robin Hill - 'Guitar Dimensions' New Release!<br />
We are pleased to announce the release of 'Guitar Dimensions' which features pieces for guitar and orchestra and solo guitar, from jazz through flamenco to classical.<br />
Some pieces here are well known favourites, others have never previously been heard. <br />
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The album notes, found below, were written by Robin and provide further information about each piece.<br />
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Samples of 'Guitar Dimensions' can be heard on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/guitar-dimensions/id1044416277">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-Dimensions-Robin-Hill-x/dp/B016031KPO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444137533&sr=8-1&keywords=robin+hill+guitar+dimensions">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/robinhill8">CD Baby</a>. It is available as digital download and also, via <a href="http://www.robin-hill.co.uk/">our website</a>, on CD.<br />
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<br />
<b>Guitar Dimensions</b><br />
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<b>‘Take Five’</b> was one of the first pieces of music to make a real impact on me. When I first heard it I was probably around 10 years of age. My father had taken me for a guitar lesson and two of the teachers were playing it as a duet. It immediately connected with me and I remember getting the sheet music. In my arrangement, for guitar solo, I make use of percussive effects with the right hand while the left hand keeps the riff going. The tune, of course, was made famous by the Dave Brubeck Quartet and was composed by alto player, Paul Desmond (1924-1977).<br />
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The <b>‘Celtic Concerto’</b> by myself is a reflection of my love for traditional celtic music.<br />
The piece consists of six movements of which three can be heard here – <b>‘For Turlough’</b> inspired by, and dedicated to, the great Irish harpist and composer, Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738) This starts with the solo guitar stating the main theme sparsely accompanied by pizzicato basses, cellos and percussion. The full orchestra then takes over accompanied by the guitar. The mood is optimistic and the atmosphere vibrant. <br />
<b>‘Return to Islay’</b> was inspired by a visit to this beautiful Hebridean island and reflects the simplicity, and the beauty, of its unspoilt character.<br />
<b>‘Rakes of Kildare’</b> is based on a traditional theme with the first statement by solo guitar. This is a lively jig with much merriment and good humour.<br />
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<b>‘Canon’</b>, by Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) is his most well-known and loved composition. It was first recorded in 1940 by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Although originally in D, I prefer the resonance of Eb in my arrangement, using a capo at the first fret. <br />
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<b>‘Jota California’</b> is from another piece for guitar & orchestra in six movements by myself. The Spanish jota is always a lively affair with much hand clapping and invariably accompanied by castanets. <br />
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The <b>‘Concierto de Aranjuez’</b> by Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999), was composed in Paris in 1939 and premiered in Barcelona in 1940. The soloist, on that occasion was Regino Sainz de la Maza. The beautiful adagio is the essential core of the concerto and passes through many different moods until it reaches its logical conclusion. In her autobiography, Victoria, Rodrigo’s wife, eventually declared that the adagio was a response to their devastation at the miscarriage of her first pregnancy. I first performed the concerto in Liverpool with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Carl Davis.<br />
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<b>‘Fiesta de Xabia’</b> was composed in Spain on a family holiday. It represents the excitement, bravura and vibrancy of a Spanish fiesta. <br />
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) composed his ‘Pavane’ Op.50 in 1887. It was originally for solo piano.<br />
Fauré modestly described it as, ‘elegant but not otherwise important.’ The piece’s rhythm comes from the slow, processional Spanish court dance of the same name. It is highly melodic and beautifully haunting and evolves through a series of sophisticated harmonies to its inevitable conclusion. The piece enjoyed immediate popularity which it has retained to the present day.<br />
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Claude Bolling’s (b. 1930) <b>‘Hispanic Dance’</b> is the first movement of his ‘Concerto for Classic Guitar & Jazz Piano Trio’. It is basically a lively, sparkling dialogue between the guitar and piano with the double bass and drums supplying the underlying pulse. I gave the first UK performance of the piece in Liverpool in 1981. There are six more movements in the concerto all of which I have recorded with my quartet, Eklectica.<br />
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John Dowland (1563-1626) was the greatest lutenist of his day. A contemporary account of his playing said, ‘his touch upon the lute doth ravish all human sense.’ He was renowned for his introspective temperament and this is surely reflected in his <b>‘Melancholy Galliard’</b> . However <b>‘My Lady Hunsdon’s Puffe’</b> illustrates a completely different side to his character. The piece is ebullient and demonstrates that the composer possessed a wicked sense of humour. My Lady Hunsdon is pilloried for her lack of ‘puffe’ i.e. stamina……she was a keen dancer but rather unfit….in the second section of the piece she is heard to slow down and to become rather breathless…<br />
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Stanley Myers (1930-1993) was a British composer who also wrote the theme music for BBC’s ‘Question Time’. <b>‘Cavatina’</b> was originally used in the film, ‘The Walking Stick’<br />
but later, and much more famously, it was used on the soundtrack, and as the main theme, for ‘The Deer Hunter’. <br />
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The <b>‘Gavotte en Rondeau’</b> by J.S. Bach (1685-1750) comes from his Fourth Lute Suite and was one of the first pieces I heard played by the great Andres Segovia (1983-1987). Although originally composed for the solo violin and/or the lute clavichord, it embodies for me the very quintessence of the classical guitar. In this recording I play the piece with a capo at the first fret and on a Manuel Reyes flamenco guitar circa 1963. The sonority of F major and the Reyes seem to work for me. The <b>‘Prelude from 1st. Cello Suite’</b>, however, is played on my 1980 Miguel Rodriguez. This, for me, is such an optimistic piece and a justly famous work.<br />
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Isaac Albeniz (1860 – 1909) composed <b>‘Rumores de la Caleta’</b> for the solo piano.<br />
It is, however, steeped in the flamenco music of Andalusia. I have arranged it with this very much in mind…the introduction featuring an extended improvised section leading into the original piece.<br />
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<b>‘La Paloma’ </b>by Sebastian Iradier was composed in 1863 following a visit to Cuba. Its ascent to worldwide popularity was rapid and it was performed by many artists from very<br />
diverse genres. This arrangement is by Francisco Tarrega the composer of much original music for the guitar and also the arranger of many classic pieces by Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and many more….<br />
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The <b>‘Fantasia X’</b> by Alonso Mudarra (1510 – 1580) is subtitled ‘Fantasia que contrhaza la harpa en la manera de Ludovico’. This is translated as ‘fantasia which imitates the harp in the manner of Ludovico’ <br />
Ludovico was a well-known virtuoso harpist of the era. This is an extraordinary piece. It contains, in addition to the obvious and highly effective, campanella, harp-like effects, syncopation, dissonance and a wry sense of humour. Mudarra states on the score: ‘from here to the end there are some wrong notes – but, if you play them well they will sound fine.’<br />
The piece was originally composed for the vihuela, the Spanish equivalent of the lute and an instrument which was widely popular in Spain during the 1500s.<br />
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On this recording I use three different guitars. They are: a Miguel Rodriguez ‘churchdoor’ 1976, a Miguel Rodriguez 1980 and a Manuel Reyes flamenco 1963.<br />
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<br />
Robin Hill<br />
<br />
Special thanks to:<br />
<br />
Nick McCloud for his invaluable computer expertise.<br />
Chris Hughes of Oscillate Studios for his great work mixing and mastering this recording.<br />
Ray Kennan (of Bingley) for his constant enthusiasm.<br />
Pip and David for their support and enthusiasm.<br />
Pugwash the studio dog for her high fidelity.<br />
My sons, Felix and Oliver, for enduring, and constantly living with, the recording process.<br />
My wife , Anna, for her keen ears, cold nose, opinions and support.<br />
<br />
<b>Biography.</b><br />
<br />
Robin Hill was born in Yorkshire, England. His first instrument, at age seven, was the violin. At 10 he started to play the guitar, which he studied at music college and later participated in master classes with the eminent Venezuelan guitarist, Alirio Diaz.<br />
In the early 1970s Robin met fellow guitarist, Peter Wiltschinsky and, together, in 1973, they formed the Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo, a highly successful partnership with a large archive of recordings (they recorded for Teldec Classics, Hyperion (debut album), ASV, RCA, Erato, Telstar, IMP Classics, Carlton Classics, Warner Bros. and many more. The duo have made numerous radio and television broadcasts and have toured extensively worldwide.<br />
In 1997, Robin performed Joaquin Rodrigo's 'Concierto de Aranjuez' with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (under Carl Davis) to an audience of three thousand. The same year Robin also gave the premiere of his own 'Concerto Primavera' with the same orchestra under the conductor, Ian Tracey. He has to date composed four other concertos - three for guitar and one for piano.<br />
Robin gave the UK premiere of Claude Bolling's 'Concerto for Classic Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio', a work he has also recorded with his quartet, Eklectica.<br />
Robin has collaborated with artists as diverse as Luciano Pavarotti, soprano Lesley Garrett, tenor Russell Watson, American soprano Denise Greaves (at the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Philharmonic) to British rock bands Deep Purple and Jethro Tull and he has toured extensively with the American jazz/soul singer, Madeline Bell.<br />
His book 'The Guitar Gymnasium' is used in conservatories throughout the world.<br />
Robin's musical travels constantly take him all over the world.<br />
<br />
'As always it was a great pleasure to observe Robin Hill's remarkable fluent technique. Everything looks easy when he plays it.' Colin Cooper – Classical Guitar Magazine UK<br />
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'Charismatic – a world class performance!' St Louis Dispatch - USA<br />
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'Daunting technique' Acoustic Guitar magazine - USA<br />
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'Wonderful for precision, touch and virtuosity, the result of a long interpretive process.' Il Giornale D'Italia - Italy<br />
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-25659076824073767872015-06-29T15:25:00.000+01:002015-06-29T15:25:47.870+01:00Robin Hill's Guitar Gymnasium Podcast No 2 - The Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo Part 1<br />
After the more technical podcast No.1 on right hand technique which can be found <a href="https://soundcloud.com/robin-hill-20">here</a>, Podcast No.2 looks at the history of the Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo with some musical examples and also some inside information on the murkier side of the music industry...<br />
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Robin's Book, 'The Guitar Gymnasium' can be found <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Guitar-Gymnasium-Robin-Hill/dp/0786658630">here</a>.<br />
<br />
During the podcast Robin mentions the duo's first album, which originally started with the Bach Invention No.8, there is a reissue of it <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/robin-hill-peter-wiltschinsky/id279572888">here</a>.<br />
<br />
And here are the sleeve notes from the initial release:<br />
<br />
<b>Colin Cooper - Sleevenotes Hill/Wiltschinsky debut album on Hyperion Records<br />
<br />
The brilliance of Ida Presti and Alexandre Lagoya set standards of duo guitar playing that have seldom been equalled. The form is a difficult one. Accuracy and precision are of course prime essentials, but the best duos are welded together by something more: a unity of purpose, a spirit of excitement and even adventure, an ability not only to play as one instrument but also to think as one musician.<br />
Robin Hill and Peter Wiltschinsky, on the evidence of this recording, have that rare capacity. Their performances are alive, zestful, invigorating. It will make new friends for their exuberant playing, and new friends too for the guitar duo form, in which so much can be accomplished.<br />
Some of the pieces are familiar; some not so familiar, though they deserve to be. All are hugely enjoyable. Hill and Wiltschinsky demonstrate their very wide range by adapting their style successfully to every new requirement, from the English lute tradtion of John Johnson to the 20th century French composer Pierre Petit. The Bach Invention that opens the recital could scarcely have been better chosen; light, airy, fast, it nourishes as it dazzles - perfection in 44 seconds (but length is never a prerequisite of great music). And has the Queen of Sheba ever made so exhilarating an arrival?<br />
It gives me a lot of pleasure to be able to introduce this remarkable record - as much pleasure as I think it is going to give those who listen to it.<br />
</b><br />
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Podcast No.2:<br />
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<iframe width="100%" height="450" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/users/154661970&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true"></iframe>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-34743642998674615642015-06-24T19:03:00.000+01:002015-06-24T19:03:10.221+01:00Robin Hill's Guitar Gymnasium Podcast No 1 - Right Hand Technique<br />
Today we celebrate the first podcast of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Guitar-Gymnasium-Robin-Hill/dp/0786658630">Robin Hill's Guitar Gymnasium</a>.<br />
Robin will be making these audio recordings regularly and the subjects will vary widely to reflect his diverse interest and eclectic tastes.<br />
<br />
<br />
The first one concerns the improvement of right hand technique on the classical guitar.<br />
Robin talks about the 120 right hand exercises by Italian virtuoso guitarist and composer Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829) and gives his personal insight and methodology behind his own approach to this classic work.<br />
<br />
Here is Podcast No.1:<br />
<br />
<iframe width="100%" height="450" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/users/154661970&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true"></iframe>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-39696572951231243372015-03-18T10:07:00.000+00:002015-03-18T10:10:29.093+00:00Classic Beatles - Robin Hill & Peter Wiltschinsky<br />
The Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo have long been Beatles fans so it seemed natural that at some point they would record their own versions of these incredible songs on this <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/classic-beatles-classical/id977591569">Classic Beatles album</a>.<br />
<br />
Some of these pieces have been performed live, especially Eleanor Rigby which the duo frequently played as a much appreciated encore. When introducing it Robin often mentioned the following story:<br />
<br />
A journalist once asked George Harrison what he thought of Andrés Segovia and his reply was, 'He's the Daddy of us all."<br />
<br />
This got back to the Maestro, who said, "These pop stars might be nice boys but what they are doing is obscene and a disease...I do not like the way the girls go crazy.'<br />
<br />
This always caused much mirth amongst the audience.<br />
<br />
With these arrangements Hill/Wiltschinsky hope to redress the balance and show that the music of Lennon and McCartney is of such a high quality that it can stand many forms of interpretation.<br />
<br />
The whole process was an intense one as they each took half of the 32 songs so that both did an equal amount of arranging. As in the relationship between Lennon and McCartney, the desire to create interesting and unique arrangements to these well known songs fuelled Robin and Peter to become more and more creative.<br />
<br />
Sometimes the title alone suggested an arranging approach.<br />
A good example of this is, 'I'll Be Back', which Robin punned as, 'I'll Be <i>Bach</i>', and arranged in a Baroque style.<br />
<br />
Another, 'Hard Day's Night', which he thought of as, 'Hard Day's <i>Knight</i>', and arranged in an Elizabethan Lute style.<br />
<br />
Who would have thought that, 'She Loves You', would work on two guitars successfully? This one was imagined as a real guitar duo and features many compositional devices such as canon, counterpoint etc.<br />
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The hope was always that people would pick up on the many more hidden references and inspiration throughout the album. Even the introductions to many of the pieces present a mystery as to which famous Beatles track will be heard.<br />
<br />
You can find, Classic Beatles - Robin Hill & Peter Wiltschinsky here on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/classic-beatles-classical/id977591569">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/robinhillandpeterwiltsch">cdbaby</a> and from many other digital outlets.<br />
<br />
As always, many thanks to <a href="http://www.jkphotography.com/">Jonathan Keenan</a> for the cover photography.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-42492566562949568252014-10-17T17:22:00.002+01:002014-10-17T17:22:59.942+01:00New Sheet Music for Guitar by Robin Hill - Arrangements of Bach & PachelbelAfter Robin's many years as both performer and composer it is not surprising that huge amounts of both hand written and printed scores abound around our home. For anyone associated with a musician it will probably be no surprise to hear that this music can turn up in the most unexpected places. A <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2006/08/tidy-up.html">Fandango in the Freezer</a> for example...<br />
<br />
But in our case much of the music is either original compositions or arrangements.<br />
We have a vast archive of guitar duo, solo, orchestral, guitar & flute etc.etc. There are literally hundreds of pieces of music.<br />
<br />
So it is with great excitement that I can announce that we are gradually going to release these arrangements as <a href="http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/search?q_ows=Robin+Hill&isASP=true">digital sheet music</a>.<br />
<br />
The difficult part was deciding where to begin, so, we have opted for a selection of two very well known classics and an original piece by Robin.<br />
<br />
<b>'Canon' by Johann Pachelbel. Arranged by Robin Hill</b><br />
<br />
Pachelbel's 'Canon' is such a beautiful piece of music it isn't surprising it is so popular. Although some arrangements for guitar of this classic are available Robin felt he would like to create something new which would be idiomatic for the guitar.<br />
<br />
It is 7 pages long and contains some new, original material and has been well received in concert.<br />
Our edition includes both standard notation, with fingering, and also tablature.<br />
You can find it <a href="http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/pachelbel-s-canon-digital-sheet-music/20000940?isASP=true&q_ows=Robin+Hill">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>'Prelude No.1' from 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Robin Hill</b><br />
<br />
Originally in C major Robin has transposed and arranged this piece into the more guitar friendly key of E major. 'Prelude No.1', from 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' is 5 pages long and includes fingering and tablature. You can find it <a href="http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/prelude-no-1-from-the-well-tempered-clavier-digital-sheet-music/20000939?isASP=true&q_ows=Robin+Hill">here</a>.<br />
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<b>'Return to Islay' By Robin Hill</b><br />
<br />
'Return to Islay' is an original composition inspired by a visit to the beautiful Hebridean Island. The piece reflects the island's simple, natural beauty and has proved a very popular, and often requested, concert item. <br />
You can hear Robin playing Return to Islay <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/virtuoso/id268691761">here</a> and the sheet music can be found <a href="http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/return-to-islay-digital-sheet-music/20000891?isASP=true&q_ows=Robin+Hill">here</a>.<br />
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<b>'The Guitar Gymnasium' by Robin Hill</b><br />
<br />
Or to give it its full title, 'The Guitar Gymnasium, A Mental and Physical Workout, Designed to Develop Flawless Technique.'<br />
I have written about this book before, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/performance-and-practice-from-guitar.html">'Performance and Practice,'</a> and <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/music-practice-tips-classical-guitar.html">'Musical Practice Tips.'</a><br />
<br />
It is available instantly <a href="http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/the-guitar-gymnasium-digital-sheet-music/19899850?isASP=true&q_ows=Robin+Hill">here</a>, or from the warehouse <a href="http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/the-guitar-gymnasium-sheet-music/4061066?isASP=true&q_ows=Robin+Hill">here</a>.<br />
<br />
We will be adding to this catalogue of available pieces over time so please check back regularly.<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-11245332215269327292014-07-27T16:05:00.000+01:002014-07-27T16:28:37.587+01:00'Life of a Musician - Robin Hill' is 8 Years Old!Another year has passed and it seems incredible that Life of a Musician is now 8 years old!<br />
But whilst this blog might be 8, Robin has spent practically all his life immersed in music. <br />
Starting out in bands from the age of 12 and continuing right through to the present day. <br />
Many events have been highlighted throughout this blog so feel free to browse through the archives.<br />
<br />
As always it has been a very busy year and Robin continues to travel extensively, and perform regularly, around the world. <br />
In fact he isn't currently at home to celebrate this momentous occasion as he is in Denmark!<br />
<br />
When not away performing there is still lots to be done. Learning new repertoire and composing new pieces are always high on the list and thoughts frequently turn to recording.<br />
In the next few weeks that is exactly what will be happening. <br />
An exciting new project is underway and will be discussed in more detail in due course. <br />
But for now, the musicians have been booked, the music is prepared and all we need is Robin! <br />
But actually, by the end of August the recording will hopefully be done and the mixing and mastering process will have started.<br />
Then of course the behind the scenes aspects of any new release will start falling into place.<br />
<br />
But the last year also saw us re-release, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/danza/id718470649">'Danza - Robin Hill & Peter Wiltschinsky'</a>.<br />
This album was originally released by ASV in 1995 and was an important landmark for the Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo. Consequently there was no hesitation from us when it became available to release once again.<br />
You can read more about 'Danza' <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/danza-robin-hill-peter-wiltschinsky.html">here</a>, including an original review and the sleeve notes.<br />
<br />
During the last year we also had a call from Babak Rahnama, a singer, DJ and Producer. <br />
He was so taken by a piece Robin had written some years earlier that he wanted to collaborate. <br />
So collaborate they did and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/tomorrowland-feat.-robin-hill/id813669536">'Tomorrowland' </a>was the result!<br />
They continue to work on many more tracks and Robin will soon be travelling to London to make a video.<br />
<br />
As I said at the beginning, Robin is away at the moment and last night was concert night.<br />
It was also a very unusual night for Robin as our youngest son travelled with him for the first time.<br />
After a gruelling journey which was full of delays and required the sound check to be hastily rescheduled, the concert itself went ahead as planned.<br />
As he prepared to play, 'Fantastic Mr Felix', from, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/standing-on-air/id496441510">'Standing On Air'</a> Robin was able to explain that the dedicatee was, for the first time ever, in the audience. <br />
Naturally this went down very well and youngest son was required to stand and take a bow.<br />
A very proud moment for both father and for son and one that made all the hassle of the previous day disperse in a second.<br />
<br />
It is in fact moments like that when all the hours, months and years of solitary practice all seem worthwhile.<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-41051800743349178932014-05-07T16:56:00.000+01:002014-05-07T16:56:37.329+01:00'Jazz Name Dropper' a poem by Robin HillJazz has always featured strongly in our lives and its influence can be heard in much of Robin's music.<br />
He also loves poetry and often writes a few verses when the mood takes him.<br />
I was therefore not surprised when, 'Jazz Name Dropper', was passed on to me.<br />
Apparently, for some unknown reason, at the time of writing the whole passage was conceived in a gentle Welsh lilt...<br />
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<br />
<b>Jazz Name Dropper<br />
<i></i></b><br />
I had a beer with <b>Chick Corea<br />
</b>Played a shaker for <b>Chet Baker<br />
</b>Had several binges with <b>Charlie Mingus<br />
</b>Strolled in the park with <b>Stanley Clarke<br />
</b>Bought pizzas and ate ‘em with old <b>Art Tatum<br />
</b>Met the wife, Mavis, through <b>Miles Davis<br />
</b>Sailed in a vessel with <b>Barney Kessel<br />
</b>Received a personal cheque from <b>Dave Brubeck<br />
</b>Was dubbed ‘glorious’ by <b>Jaco Pastorius<br />
</b>Walked across Turin with <b>Flora Purim<br />
</b>Played jazz-rock with <b>Herb Hancock<br />
</b>Lived down the lane from <b>John Coltrane<br />
</b>Appeared on telly with <b>Stephane Grappelli<br />
</b>But I never met Django Reinhardt.....(I did however meet his son, <b>Babik</b>).<br />
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Robin Hill - 2013Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-23042550232746441572013-10-02T14:35:00.000+01:002013-10-02T14:35:43.908+01:00Danza - Robin Hill & Peter WiltschinskyI was absolutely delighted when <a href=" https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/danza/id718470649">'Danza'</a> by The Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar duo, became available for us to re-release.<br />
Initially recorded and distributed by ASV back in 1995, it had however never been digitally available, so now was our chance to rectify this.<br />
<br />
I was also very pleased because this CD happens to be one that means a lot to me.<br />
At the time of its release I was frequently travelling with the duo, as Robin and I were yet to have children... and therefore have seen and heard most of these tracks performed in concert venues around the world.<br />
<br />
Before I add a contemporary review of 'Danza' from <a href="http://www.classicalguitarmagazine.com/">'Classical Guitar Magazine'</a> and the eloquent and detailed sleeve notes from the original release, written by Graham Wade, I wanted to add a little inside information.<br />
<br />
For example, Tracks 20 is the fabulous, 'Corta Jaca' by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radamés_Gnattali">Radames Gnattali</a>, taken from the Retratos Suite, this is a stunning piece based on the samba rhythm.<br />
At the time the music was unavailable but the duo were desperate to play it. So, determined as ever, Robin listened to the only recording available and took down the notes one at a time.<br />
As you hear the piece you will realise just what an undertaking this was! <br />
But, worth all the effort as they gave many fabulous performances along with this recording.<br />
<br />
I also wanted to mention the, 'Suite Italiana' by <a href="http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Gangi&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmario%2Bgangi%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den">Mario Gangi</a>. <br />
Gangi had heard a recording of the duo playing another of his pieces, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2008/04/track-4-arrival-mario-gangi.html">'Suite Spagnola'</a> and was so pleased with their interpretation that he composed the 'Suite Italiana' especially for them. <br />
One review at the time of an important concert by the Duo at Rome's Sistine Theatre, in homage to Andres Segovia, mentions that the journalist involved happened to be seated next to Maestro Gangi and that Gangi was, "hardly able to hide his satisfaction for the lovely performance."<br />
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'Espagne', composed by the brilliant French guitarist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_Presti">Ida Presti</a>, is the world premiere recording of this piece. The duo, having heard a tape recording of an old radio performance by the Presti and Lagoya Duo, were keen to record and perform this neglected masterpiece. It provides a spectacular demonstration of guitar virtuosity and compositional inventiveness.<br />
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The final piece I would like to mention is Robin's own composition, 'Tre Esercizi' (dedicated to Mario Gangi in reciprocity for the Suite Italiana) comprises three movements, Tarantella in E minor (track 8), Canzone in F (track 9) and Giga in A minor (track 10).<br />
The review below, from 'Classical Guitar' states that 'Canzone' contains, "one of those compulsive melodic lines we all wish we'd written ourselves," but it's the, Giga in A minor that I want to highlight. <br />
The main reason being that when performing this in concert Peter Wiltschinsky always introduced this as being, "One of the most difficult pieces we play," which always induced a little laughter from the audience and a sense of trepidation as the music began. <br />
I recall the tension I felt as I played every note in my head alongside the duo, willing them to get through the difficult passages!<br />
They always did.<br />
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You can find 'Danza' on <a href=" https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/danza/id718470649">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FJTG3DA/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1380718659&sr=8-2">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/robinhillpeterwiltschins">CD Baby</a> and many other digital outlets.<br />
<br />
Below are the original review and sleeve notes.<br />
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DANZA - REVIEW - 'CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE'<br />
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A new release from the Hill-Wiltschinsky Duo is always a cause for celebration, and DANZA is no exception. From the opening bars of the Giuliani to the triumphant conclusion of Gnattali's brilliant Corta Jaca, this world class team remain on their very best form. Even the modest lute duets are despatched with a sense of style and grandeur which belies their relatively humble stature.<br />
It is, however, the premiere recording of Presti's Espagne which makes this release such a major event. A momentous discovery by any standards, it will remain forever a mystery why this seven minute Fallaesque fantasia was never taken into the studio by its creator and has languished in obscurity since her death in 1967. Rich in texture and strong in thematic material, it is surely fitting that this neglected masterpiece has finally been adopted by one of the present generation's finest pair. Needless to say, the performance leaves nothing to the imagination - Espagne is typical of the colourful and energetic repertoire in which the Hill-Wiltschinsky Duo always excel.<br />
Elsewhere, the situation remains equally impressive. Robin Hill's recently published Tre Esercizi are marvellously sophisticated miniatures, the central Canzone containing one of those compulsive melodic lines we all wish we'd written ourselves. More introspective is Peter Wiltschinsky's gently seductive Nocturne - a strategically placed moment of contemplation before the boisterous jota-based Danza.<br />
All these delights together with the old favourites from Gangi and Vivaldi make this a CD of which no collection should be deprived.<br />
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By Paul Fowles<br />
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SLEEVE NOTES BY GRAHAM WADE:<br />
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MAURO GIULIANI (1781-1828)<br />
<br />
TRE POLONESI CONCERTANTI, Op.137<br />
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Giuliani was one of the most celebrated guitarists of the early nineteenth century and his achievement in the realm of composition for the instrument ranks with that of Fernando Sor. Giuliani was a prolific composer and wrote a wide variety of works for guitar including concertos, sets of variations, studies, songs, exercises, chamber music, as well as some pieces for duo. A significant part of his career was spent in Vienna where he was well acquainted with Beethoven, Moscheles, Hummel and other leading musicians. In Italy he knew both Paganini and Rossini and may have performed concerts in their company.<br />
The polonaise appeared in the Renaissance under the title of 'polacca' or 'polnischer tanz'. In the seventeenth century the French term 'polonaise' was used for pieces of Polish style or origin and over some decades this evolved into a professional dance faster than a sarabande but slower than a minuet. As an expressive musical form the polonaise was transformed for ever by Chopin whose genius enriched and elevated the concept in eleven spectacular works for pianoforte between 1817 and 1830.<br />
The three polonaises for two guitars Op.137 were published seven years after Giuliani's death by Ricordi of Milan. The Italian composer's approach to the polonaise is concise and energetic, each of the three allegretto pieces having a contrasting Trio section. Rather than the extended polonaise-fantaisie concept of Chopin, Giuliani offers an integrated group of short polonaises, exploring the rhythmic and lyrical implications of this dance through the medium of the guitar duo.<br />
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FOUR ELIZABETHAN LUTE DUETS<br />
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One special aspect of music during the reign of Elizabeth I was the variety of ensemble music. The lute duet was especially popular and John Johnson was one of the first to compose for two lutes in an integrated way, both parts being of equal importance in melodic and harmonic material. Johnson became court lutenist to Queen Elizabeth, and was one of the earliest of the great lute composers of the 'golden age'.<br />
The pavan (also known as pavane, pavana, paduana, and pavin) was the slowest, most stately dance of the Renaissance. It was customary after 1550 to pair the dignified pavan with the more lively galliard, a dance of Italian origin, in fast triple time, involving the dancer in energetic leaping steps. In The Flat Pavan, 'flat' indicates not that the music is out of tune but hat it is in a minor key.<br />
The Fancy or Fantasy, was a form which displayed a composer's contrapuntal skills. Thomas Morley said that, 'in this may more art be shown than in any other music because the composer is tied to nothing but that he may add, diminish, and alter at his pleasure'.<br />
Finally A Merry Mood is a moment of exuberance, a very different mood from the melancholy seriousness often associated with the English lutenists.<br />
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ROBIN HILL <br />
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TRE ESERCIZI<br />
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These 'Three Exercises', dedicated to Mario Gangi, evoke the moods and colours of Italian music through the eyes and ears of an English composer.<br />
Tarantella in E minor pays homage to the lively dance from southern Italy where the port of Taranto has given its name to a spider found in the surrounding countryside, the tarantula. The bite of this spider was believed for centuries to be poisonous, causing an ailment known as Tarantism, an illness which could only be dispelled by the antidote of a lively dance, the tarantella.<br />
The Canzone, originally a poem of the troubadour era, later became the title for a musical setting of a poem or an instrumental piece with a distinct melody.<br />
Finally Giga concludes the triptych with a dance, the Jig, believed to have originated in the British Isles before becoming popular throughout Europe.<br />
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PETER WILTSCHINSKY<br />
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TWO PIECES<br />
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These two pieces are dedicated to the memory of the great Paraguayan guitarist and composer, Agustin Barrios Mangore. The first, Nocturne (written 1993), conjures up the shades of night with a reflective and lyrical atmosphere. It is in the key of G minor with a contrasting middle section in G major.<br />
Danza (Jota), in the key of A major, is a virtuosic movement with its energetic variations based on the jota dance of the regions of Aragon and Navarre in northern Spain. The jota has been called the 'father of Spanish dances' and its origins may stretch into antiquity. It is in triple time, and the dance itself is characterised by swift leaps into the air demanding great physical strength and facility.<br />
<br />
ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741)<br />
<br />
PRELUDIO & CORRENTE<br />
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Vivaldi was a much neglected composer until the twentieth century was well advanced when considerable research and catalogue of his works, along with a gradual recording of most of his output, established him as one of the greatest of all Baroque composers. He composed 46 operas (of which 21 are extant), 344 solo concertos, 81 concertos for two or more solo instruments, 61 sinfonias, 93 sonatas and trios, as well as many motets, liturgical works, oratorios, etc.<br />
Preludio & Corrente were arranged for two guitars by Len Williams in the mid 1950s. The two contrasting pieces soon became very popular among guitarists and have remained so ever since. The movements are taken from Sonata in D minor, Op.1 No 8, (RV64, P1/8, M. 389) for two violins and cello (or harpsichord).<br />
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MARIO GANGI (1918-2010)<br />
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SUITE ITALIANA<br />
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Mario Gangi, Professor of guitar at the Rome Conservatoire, is known internationally as a prolific editor and arranger of music for guitar. Suite Italiana was written especially for the Hill-Wiltschinsky Duo in 1988. The Saltarello is a very lively dance in triple time, deriving its name from the Italian word 'saltare', to jump, and according to a note by the composer, inspired by an anonymous saltarello of Rome. The other movements are Melodia, evoking the warmth of a Mediterranean song from the area of Abruzzi, while Tarantella makes reference to a theme from the opera La festa di Piedigrotta (composed 1852) by the Neapolitan, Luigi Ricci (1805-1859), who wrote some 30 operas.<br />
<br />
IDA PRESTI (1924-1967)<br />
<br />
ESPAGNE<br />
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Ida Presti was a remarkable child prodigy of the guitar, who gave her first public recital at the age of eight. In 1955 she formed a guitar duo with her husband, Alexandre Lagoya, and their work together founded new traditions of excellence in this kind of ensemble which continue to inspire later generations of players. Presti was also an accomplished composer, though her works are not widely known. <br />
Espagne has never been recorded previously and its inclusion here offer new insights into her remarkable creativity.<br />
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RADAMES GNATTALI (1906-1988)<br />
<br />
TWO PIECES<br />
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Radames Gnattali was one of the great figures of Brazilian music in this century, composing both popular and classical music, and teaching many of the leading musicians of his country including Jobim, Bonfa, Gilberto, etc. His suite Retratos (Portraits), from which these two pieces were taken, was composed in 1957. The Schottisch is a kind of round dance or slow polka while Corta Jaca is based on the rhythms of the samba.<br />
<br />
By Graham Wade<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-54367074162201603032013-06-28T13:33:00.000+01:002013-06-28T13:33:36.401+01:00A Little Nostalgia & some Musical Inspiration - Robin HillOften we are asked about Robin's musical influences, and as a performer and a composer, are there particular pieces of music that helped shape the musician he is today?<br />
<br />
Generally people seem interested in the music that has inspired a musician, especially one who unusually is equally at home on both classical & electric guitar...<br />
<br />
So, I thought I'd address this here today.<br />
<br />
A commonly quoted sentence in our house is, 'Nothing is composed in a vacuum,' and this became my starting point.<br />
<br />
I have in fact touched on this before in the post, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/miles-davis-stravinsky-herrmann-and.html">'Miles Davis, Stravinsky, Herrmann and The Beatles - A Musical Connection'</a> but felt it worthy of revisiting.<br />
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At the time of writing Robin had just left on a two week trip, so he obliged by sending me an email containing the names of his major musical influences from the 1930's to the 1960's.<br />
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Miles Davis featured once again, not only as Charlie Parker's sideman but also as bandleader and pioneer of 'cool jazz'.<br />
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Given that Robin is a guitarist, it won't come as a surprise that the album, 'Sketches of Spain', was high on his list with its highly original arrangement by Gil Evans of the Adagio from Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.<br />
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Davis thought the melody was so strong that, 'The softer you play it, the stronger it gets,' and although there were critics, I feel it is an excellent example of different genres of music creating a most sublime synergy.<br />
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Then there's Benny Goodman.<br />
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A jazz clarinetist and band leader with the facility to play anything from swing jazz to Mozart concertos. In fact, Bela Bartok, one of the most important composers of the 20th century, actually composed a piece for Goodman, 'Contrastes'. Again showing the interaction and inter relation of many musical styles.<br />
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Two albums by the American bandleader, double bassist and composer, Charlie Mingus, also got a mention. 'Blues & Roots', recorded in 1959 and released in 1960, Mingus revisits his early musical experiences, mainly the blues, gospel and New Orleans Jazz.<br />
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It's reported that the recording sessions were rather disorganised but the result is that each track has a loose and relaxed feel.<br />
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The second album, 'Mingus Ah Um', also recorded in 1959 has had such an impact on the world that it was one of only fifty recordings added to the Recording Registry in 2003. An amazing album which can't help but draw the listener into the mood. Particularly the track, 'Better Git it in Your Soul', which, especially if listened to with eyes closed, paints a vivid and exciting portrait of New York City in the late 1950s..<br />
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Before we leave the jazz scene, which was so seminal in this era, one has to mention Django Reinhardt, particularly if examining the musical influences and inspirations of a guitarist.<br />
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Reinhardt was one of the first major European jazz musicians. The fact that he could only use the first and middle fingers of his left hand (due to injury in a fire at the age of 18) didn't hinder him. He simply invented a new technique of playing which has become a tradition in French gypsy culture.<br />
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One of his most memorable and enduring musical collaborations was with Stephane Grappelli, an association which produced not only great music but also some amusing episodes, one of which I wrote about here, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/django-reinhardt-stephane-grappelli-and.html">'Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli & the Revolving Stage'</a>.<br />
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It's telling that many years after these musicians were performing, Robin was, and still is, influenced by their music.<br />
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Whilst he may have started out in the field of classical music, one influences the other, and it's no coincidence that some time later he was recording his own jazz quartet, Eklectica', you can read about them here in, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2008/02/robin-hill-plays-claude-bollings.html">'Robin Hill Plays Claude Bolling's 'Concerto for Classic Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio'</a>.<br />
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But jazz wasn't his only influence, no classical guitarist forms a career without being hugely influenced by the presence of Andres Segovia, whose own career spanned all the decades we are looking at and more besides.<br />
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In fact the blog post, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2007/07/hillwiltschinsky-guitar-duo-pay-homage.html">'Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo Pay Homage to Andres Segovia'</a>, describes how the duo had the tremendous honour of being asked to perform a special concert in memory of Segovia in the Sistine Theatre, Rome.<br />
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Another highly influential and original artist and composer is George Gershwin, an American composer of both popular and classical music with a huge back catalogue including, 'An American in Paris', 'Rhapsody in Blue' and 'Porgy and Bess'.<br />
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His ability to cross genres is truly special and recognised by musicians in all camps. One of his sincerest admirers being Maurice Ravel. His two piano concertos are influenced by Gershwin and, in turn, much of Gershwin's orchestral work contains distant echoes of Ravel. Both of these composers had imaginatively captured the zeitgeist of their epoch in different ways which were mutually inspirational.<br />
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Again, from Robin's perspective all the above can be heard in some of his concerti. Particularly, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2007/03/concerto-primavera-robin-hill.html">'Concerto Primavera - Robin Hill'</a>, and <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2007/11/arrival-on-itunes-and-eternal-dance.html">'Arrival on iTunes and Eternal Dance-Robin Hill'</a>.<br />
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However, there is a whole other side to Robin's musicianship and one that is quite unusual for classically trained musicians.<br />
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He is also known for his electric guitar playing and has been in various bands over the years, starting at the tender age of 12, and later performing with established bands such as Jethro Tull and <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2007/10/deep-purple-haze-days.html">Deep Purple</a>, as a session guitarist with too many artists to mention here and his own bands, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2007/10/robin-hill-and-travis-beanrewind-to.html">Hooper</a>, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2008/07/uriah-heep-jon-hisemans-colosseum-and.html">Spring</a> and <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2007/01/force-ten-to-be-reckoned-with.html">Force 10</a>.<br />
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He had no hesitation in listing the bands that had influenced him in his youth and completed his early training in musical styles.<br />
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The Beatles had to be there, right from, 'With The Beatles' to 'Sergeant Pepper', Frank Zappa with, 'Hot Rats, Jimi Hendrix with practically every note he played, The Beach Boys, particularly the track, 'Good Vibrations' and The Kinks, 'Waterloo Sunset' and ‘You Really Got Me’…which, interestingly features Deep Purple’s Jon Lord on piano.<br />
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The interesting part of this musical jigsaw is that all the different styles I have been looking at are still prevalent in Robin's life today. He regularly listens to them all, and many, many more and their endurance shows the quality of their musical history.<br />
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He continues to look out for, and listen to, new music and old and still creates his own.<br />
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Currently he has returned to his band roots and is working on an electric rock/blues style album.<br />
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Two of the tracks can already be heard, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/illegal-download-blues-38459-new-tracks.html">'Illegal Download Blues & 38459'</a>, and having read the history, you may well see some of the above influences shining through.<br />
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As I said at the beginning, nothing is composed in a vacuum. Every musician listens, learns and incorporates this knowledge into their own music, whether original compositions or interpretations.<br />
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This is why it is so important not to be bound by one style alone. Take a chance and investigate the unknown.<br />
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We have always felt it essential to expose our children to as many different types of music as possible. Actually, they didn't have an option, music has been available to them since before they were actually born.<br />
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But it is an essential part of learning and one we take seriously. Children are the next generations of musicians and it's our role to ensure they are inspired. In fact, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/inspire-young-minds-with-music.html">'Inspire Young Minds with Music'</a>.<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-36613468840901638992013-02-12T11:14:00.000+00:002013-03-04T09:16:39.613+00:00Illegal Download Blues & 38459 - New tracks by Robin HillThese newly-released tracks represent a very different facet of Robin's eclectic musical personality (he's singing and playing electric guitar and keyboard on these!)<br />
For many years Robin has been associated with the world of classical music but he has in fact played and sung in many bands, and worked as a session musician with some of the finest around.<br />
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It was a simple dinner party that provided the catalyst for Robin to return to his rock and blues roots. <br />
When the conversation touched on illegal downloads of music and films, Robin, as the only musician present, felt he had to voice his opinions and stand his corner.<br />
He quoted Pete Townshend's thoughts on the subject, "If you illegally download my music you might as well come round to my house and steal my kid's bike."<br />
He also made the very salient point that other people are making money from illegal downloads. <br />
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He thought his feelings could be most articulately, and appropriately, expressed via the blues...hence "Illegal Download Blues" a slightly tongue in cheek but, nevertheless, emotional and heartfelt song...<br />
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Having written this track he decided it would be an interesting and enjoyable challenge to record a whole album of songs...the next to appear was "38459" a funky kind of rock song. <br />
Many more are now in the pipeline and an album will surely follow.......<br />
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As it says at the end of the video, "This track is dedicated to the creative industries everywhere whose livelihoods are diminished by piracy."<br />
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Both tracks are now available from <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/illegal-download-blues-38459/id601019591">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/illegal-Download-Blues-38459/dp/B00BDY0DQS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1360667133&sr=8-3">Amazon</a>,<a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/robinhill6"> CD Baby</a> and many other digital outlets.<br />
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Enjoy the video for, 'Illegal Download Blues,'then have a listen to, '38459', you have to hear <a href="http://www.vanessahaynes.com/">Vanessa Haynes</a> on backing vocals...<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Mr37eG_DAw4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-51621600434340121552012-11-09T11:26:00.000+00:002012-11-09T11:26:55.595+00:00What is the Life of a Musician?Many people arrive at this blog after searching Google and asking, "What is it like being a musician?"<br />
This is in fact one of the reasons I started the blog in the first place.<br />
As I haven't posted for a while it seemed a good idea to summarise the last few months, which will in turn answer the question of life for this particular musician.<br />
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The latest album, 'Standing on Air,' which can be found on <a href=" https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/standing-on-air/id496441510">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Standing-on-Air/dp/B006ZKS0P6">Amazon</a>, and hard copies from <a href="http://www.robin-hill.co.uk/">our website</a> has been doing very well, with Robin performing some of the tracks in concert on a regular basis, particularly, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fantastic-Mr-Felix/dp/B006ZKS2EA">'Fantastic Mr Felix,</a>' and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jacaranda/dp/B006ZKS4MA">'Jacaranda'</a>.<br />
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He is also working on a single which will be released in the very near future.<br />
This has been an exciting project and I look forward to letting you all hear it.<br />
However, writing, arranging and then recording a song is a time consuming process and one that has had to be fitted in between long journeys, jet lag and trying to spend some time with the family.<br />
But, when next home for more than a few days, Robin hopes to complete the single and even film the video.<br />
Watch this space for further news.<br />
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As I have said, musicians generally have to travel, often extensively, and this has certainly been the case for Robin.<br />
In the last three months alone he has visited Spain, France, Italy, Gibraltar, Portugal, USA, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Greece, Hawaii, American Samoa, Fiji, Tenerife and Morocco.<br />
Many of these he has actually been to on more than one occasion.<br />
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Sadly Robin rarely performs in the UK, with only one concert, held on the River Thames with Soprano, <a href="http://www.izzysings.info/">Izzy Cooper</a>, back in August.<br />
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So as you can see, musicians need to be prepared to travel, practically every time they go to work, and sometimes that travel can be long and arduous.<br />
But, having said that, just in the last few months Robin as performed the music he loves to approximately 10,000+ people.<br />
That in itself is an amazing figure and one that surprised me when I decided to roughly work it out.<br />
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But the audiences are also what makes it worthwhile.<br />
Being away from home and family for extended periods of time is difficult but the reward of applause after a successful concert certainly helps.<br />
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But where is he now?<br />
Actually he is in Chile hoping that his luggage catches up with him before his first concert....<br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-34624013197758586672012-07-25T23:00:00.000+01:002012-07-25T23:00:40.420+01:00Life of a Musician - Robin Hill... is 6 Years Old!I can't believe that another year has gone by and that <b>'Life of a Musician' </b>is now 6 years old!<br />
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Last year, on its 5th Birthday, I reviewed the blog in general and highlighted some of the most popular post: <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/life-of-musician-5-years-of-blogging.html">'Life of a Musician - 5 Years of Blogging'</a>.<br />
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This year, as always, has been eventful. <br />
There have been laughter, tears and the occasional tantrum, as one would expect when following the life of any musician trying to travel the globe these days.<br />
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A major highpoint was the release of, <b>'Standing on Air'</b>, which was accompanied by a, <b>'Making of Video'</b>, in which Robin talks openly about his eclectic approach to music and offers some insight into composing and the recording process.<br />
You can read the post here: <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/standing-on-air-robin-hill-arrives-on.html">'Standing on Air - Robin Hill arrives on iTunes, Amazon etc...'</a><br />
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As part of the promotion of <b>'Standing on Air' </b>we were extremely proud of the video made by our eldest son Oliver, <b>'Chill 22'</b>, which you can watch below.<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ynnp-rykIBg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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There's more about the track, 'Chill 22' <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/chill-22-robin-hill-from-new-album.html">here</a>.<br />
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But it hasn't all been good.<br />
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Unfortunately the release of the new CD was hampered by Robin breaking his arm.<br />
This is a dreadful situation for anyone, but for a musician it brings its own sort of terrors.<br />
Read <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.com/2012/02/psychology-of-injured-musician.html">'Psychology of the Injured Musician'</a> for more details.<br />
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We have also launched a brand <a href="http://www.robin-hill.co.uk/">new website</a>, packed with information, videos, pictures etc. More about that <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.com/2012/02/robin-hills-new-website.html">here</a>.<br />
From the site you can join our mailing list and keep up to date with new releases and the 'soon to be avaialable' sheet music.<br />
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One of the most popular posts this year has been, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/scale-from-guitar-gymnasium-robin-hill.html">'The Scale' from The Guitar Gymnasium'</a>, which is an extract from Robin's book, and is a must for any player wanting to improve their technique.<br />
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As always, travel has played a large part of Robin's day to day life, and as is often the case these days, there are frequently traumas to cope with.<br />
<a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/fly-with-little-help-from-lebrecht.html">'Fly with a Little Help from Lebrecht...'</a> was probably one of the most frustrating situations Robin has had to face, when an airline refused to allow his guitar in the cabin, even in a paid seat....<br />
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The next year of, <b>'Life of a Musician'</b>, promises to be just as exciting.<br />
There are plans for more videos and another album is already underway. So there is plenty to look out for over the coming months.<br />
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There are now 727 posts in the archives, <a href="http://lifeofamusician-robinhill.blogspot.co.uk/">scroll down the left hand sidebar</a>, and feel free to have a look around.<br />
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I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading and for making 6 years of blogging so enjoyable.<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-91041007633266933302012-06-18T15:09:00.000+01:002012-06-18T15:09:42.396+01:00Fly With a Little Help from Lebrecht...<br />
Getting to Norway was always going to be difficult. <br />
Not because of the distances involved, after all Robin travels all around the world, Norway is pretty much on our doorstep.<br />
But time was the issue.<br />
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Last Friday, the 8th of June, Robin was playing for the High Sheriff of Lancashire at lunchtime in Lancaster Town Hall.<br />
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This went very well and he then dashed off to catch the first of three flights.<br />
That isn't exactly true, he couldn't really 'dash' to the airport as a murder had been committed on the motorway.<br />
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Honestly, you couldn't make it up....<br />
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Consequently the motorway was closed and we had to make a detour to a train station which duly delivered Robin to the airport just in time for his first flight.<br />
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Not the best of starts.<br />
However, the journey was to get a whole lot worse.<br />
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A quick change of planes in Copenhagen and then he spent a night, or what was left of it, in a hotel in Oslo.<br />
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Early next morning he duly arrived to catch his Norwegian Air flight to Alesund.<br />
He was met by the usual barrage of questions regarding the guitar, he was informed that under no circumstances would the instrument be allowed in the cabin but, on payment of an extra £20, could be consigned to the hold, even though we had already paid for extra hand luggage.<br />
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Robin then 'phoned his contact in America who advised that they would purchase another seat for the guitar.<br />
He then went to the Norwegain Air desk and was informed that they <i>did</i> have a seat available but when he explained this was for his instrument they <b>refused </b>point blank.<br />
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After a Twitter exchange, <b>Norman Lebrecht</b>, very succinctly summed up the situation, on his blog, <a href="http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2012/06/another-airline-for-musicians-to-shun.html">'Slipped Disc'</a>.<br />
As <a href="http://www.kennethwoods.net/">Kenneth Woods </a>highlighted during this discussion, 'Norman Lebrecht has been a real champion for musicians with airlines.'<br />
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Travelling with an instrument has been difficult for some time but the situation is getting worse, and more stressful, with every journey.<br />
Airlines all seem to have different, ever changing policies regarding musical instruments but even then, it really depends who happens to be at the check in desk.<br />
Some people are fine others make problems where none exist.<br />
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The fact is that a classical guitar case fits neatly into the overhead locker, still allowing space for other passengers to stow their belonings, or, within one of the wardrobes available on the aircraft.<br />
It really isn't a problem.<br />
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But on this occasion the check in assistant wouldn't budge.<br />
No guitar was getting on his plane.<br />
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So Robin informed them he wouldn't be getting on the plane either, and his agents booked another flight for much later in the day leaving Robin to spend the entire day back at the hotel.<br />
The pressure was unrelenting as he didn't know if he would actually make his connection after all these delays.<br />
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Back at the airport later that evening, Scandinavian Airlines welcomed Robin, and guitar, on board without any hesitation.<br />
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Thankfully their were no further delays and Robin arrived with only 30 minutes to spare.<br />
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Travel is meant to be the easy part, it's playing the notes that is difficult.<br />
Airlines should remember who the customer is...<br />
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The next day he was able to put all the stress behind him and deliver a great concert.<br />
Which incidentally was filmed by a Dutch TV film crew, but that's another story....<br />
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31627764.post-10466157851762110112012-03-12T14:27:00.008+00:002012-03-12T16:00:45.039+00:00Dance of the Jaguar - Robin Hill 'Standing on Air'<em>'Dance of the Jaguar'</em> is the 5th track on 'Standing on Air' and was initially inspired by many visits to Mexico and Costa Rica and by a beautiful wooden Jaguar head that Robin found in Mexico.<br /><br />Here it is:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJJt6i_SL093F02Yhyphenhyphenk0Q-0P_hyphenhyphenaI6sP3L1DHkUrcURi8vU2vGveVcRANoxalhoVlG-IxSTiwJw-jzchILP4c09laRKI-S2gxG0Wn14WRk18CtTs-DPDrMJiow98GtHTNBuqWUQ/s1600/Jaguar+head+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJJt6i_SL093F02Yhyphenhyphenk0Q-0P_hyphenhyphenaI6sP3L1DHkUrcURi8vU2vGveVcRANoxalhoVlG-IxSTiwJw-jzchILP4c09laRKI-S2gxG0Wn14WRk18CtTs-DPDrMJiow98GtHTNBuqWUQ/s400/Jaguar+head+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719022739157165474" /></a><br /><br />The piece itself contains an eclectic mix of ideas ranging from flamenco to Indian influences.<br />The dramatic opening certainly conveys a musical impression of high tension, I should add that Robin has always been fascinated by the Mel Gibson film, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472043/">'Apocalypto'</a>, and this whole piece seems to follow Jaguar Paw as he struggles with pursuit and then enjoys fleeting moments of respite. <br />The use of music within a filmic context can make or break a sequence, and sometimes a film itself can inspire new music.<br /><br />Very soon tabla drums enter the piece to give a driving rhythm for the guitar riff to adhere too. This is then joined by the sitar.<br />Robin has had both the tabla and sitar for some time and had been waiting for the right opportunity to use them.<br />I feel they work very well in the context of this piece.<br /><br />This piece is in ABA form, representing Yin and Yang. The second section being a release of the tension before an intermediary connecting section with improvised guitar solo. This leads into the final triumphant conclusion.<br /><br />For those interested in the recording side of things, quite a few takes were required to get the bass unison with guitar in the rapid triplet section. But I feel the overall effect was worth the effort and it is used a couple of times.<br /><br />The sitar has long been an instrument that we both love. We have spent many hours listening to <a href="http://www.ravishankar.org/">Ravi Shankar</a>,<a href="http://www.anoushkashankar.com/"> Anoushka Shankar</a> and of course followed <a href="http://www.georgeharrison.com/#/george-harrison-guitar-collection-home">George Harrison's </a>love of the instrument.<br />Although I should say that initially I was reluctant to add sitar to the piece.<br />I am so pleased that I was overruled as the snatches of sitar add perfect spice with its distinctive sound.<br /><br />As you can imagine we have both listened to this piece many times during the recording, editing, mixing and mastering process.<br />From the whole album this is the one piece that Robin has mentioned that he may develop the idea into a concerto movement...<br /><br />But for now, you can find the CD <strong>'Standing on Air' </strong> and the track, <em>'Dance of the Jaguar' </em> in many places, these are just a few: <a href="http://www.robin-hill.co.uk/">Robin Hill site, </a> <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/standing-on-air/id496441510"> iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Standing-on-Air/dp/B006ZKS0P6">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/robinhill5">CD Baby </a>etc....Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16425434566456496622noreply@blogger.com0