Tracks 11 & 12 - 'Arrival' - Traditional Irish

'Arrival' has 'arrived' on iTunes and soon will be available on Napster, Tradebit, PayPlay, Pocketgroup and MusicIsHere to name but a few.

Tracks 11 and 12 are both arrangements of Traditional Irish pieces.
They have particularly beautiful melodies, which may be familiar, and which work effectively on two guitars.
Both these arrangements are by Peter Wiltschinsky.

Traditional Irish music initially became popular in the 17th century with composers such as Turlough Carolan, Thomas Moore and John Field.
Carolan (1670-1738) was a harp player, and a prolific writer, composing more than 200 compositions in a baroque,Vivaldian style.

These composers, of the early Romantic era, have been credited with the creation of the nocturne form, later to be developed by Frederic Chopin.

Irish music continues to be hugely popular and influences many other genres.

Robin Hill and Peter Wiltschinsky 'Arrival'

"Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar - save perhaps two."
Frederic Chopin

Here are the sleeve notes to the CD we have just released, 'Arrival'.
Written by the Editor of Classical Guitar Magazine, Colin Cooper:

"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.

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.

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 tradition of John Johnson to the 20th century composer, Pierre Petit. The Bach invention could scarcely be better chosen; light, airy, fast, it nourishes as it dazzles - perfection in 45 seconds. And has the Queen of Sheba ever made such an exhilarating arrival?

It gives me much pleasure to introduce this remarkable record - as much pleasure as I think it will give to those who listen to it."

Colin Cooper

What more can I say?
Follow this link, or click on the picture in the side bar, to have a listen.
Next week I shall tell you a little about each piece of music, and also, the strange, and at times rather intriguing, history of this particular recording.

Robin Hill and 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra'

'Recuerdos de la Alhambra' is the 18th track on 'Virtuoso' and was composed by Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909).
Tarrega was born in Villarreal, Spain, but as a child had an accident, fell into an irrigation channel and permanently damaged his eyes.
His parents were concerned that he may loose his sight completely, so, they moved to Castellon, so that Francisco could take music lessons and would therefore be able to work as a musician if he did go blind.
Thankfully he didn't lose his sight but he did become a highly influential musician.

When Tarrega began his studies on the guitar, the instrument was at a low ebb throughout Europe, overshadowed by the louder and more resonant piano.
So Tarrega's father insisted he learn both instruments, in which he quickly became accomplished, in order to keep his options open.

It was in 1869 when Tarrega acquired an unusually loud and resonant guitar, made by Antonio Torres, the famous luthier, that Tarrega was able to prepare the way for the rebirth of the guitar in the 20th Century.

Tarrega transcribed many works for guitar by Spanish composers Albeniz and Granados, along with adapting movements from Beethoven's piano sonatas and many preludes of Chopin.
In all, Tarrega composed approximately 78 original works and 120 transcriptions for solo guitar, along with 21 transcriptions for two guitars. He also composed many varied and extremely taxing exercises which have tormented generations of guitarists ever since but which are extremely effective in the development of technique.

Recuerdos de la Alhambra was composed around the turn of the century. The theme was conceived on a visit to Grenada and the music is evocative of the famous Moorish palace there.
The piece is a tremelo study which requires great technical ability. To maintain a fluent and smooth tremelo, whilst executing clear accompanying notes, and also conveying the emotion of the piece, is not an easy task.

Robin is often asked if his hands ache after playing a piece like this. But years of right and left hand exercises have ensured he is quite able to maintain the tremelo for the required 3 minutes and 16 seconds on this recording. In fact, just like any athlete, the training is all important, so when it comes to the event itself, you really don't consider finger fatigue!