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What's the Story?   You are logged in as Guest
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Mark2

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco

What's the Story? 
I went to the Sf Symphony last week. Sublime. Emotional. If you've never seen a great orchestra in a great hall, do yourself a favor. They did all the "spanish" warhorses including the Concierto de Aranjeuz. The guitarist was Pablo Sainz Villegas, and he ain't no joke. He nailed it. Pretty sweet gig, he comes out, plays one number, and he's done.

But the point of my post is that he did a verbal introduction, in which he explained what was the inspiration of the piece, down to details such as what the harmonics that end the second section represented.

In studying the guitar over the years, I've had a teacher or two tell me the story behind a particular piece, such as Recuerdos de la Alhambra, which it turns out that nobody else I knew seemed be aware of. That's sorta strange given that thousands of guitarists know both of those pieces.

So, I'm wondering if the stories are true. Does anyone know the "story" behind these pieces? What were the composers representing or trying to say?

I suspect it's all BS, stagecraft as it were, but then again maybe not. One thing is for sure, when Villegas finished the story, he had people practically crying before he hit a note. He got a standing O after playing the piece, which was deserved, story notwithstanding.

I'll post what was said by him and the story about the Alhambra piece after reading any responses. I just want to see if the stories match.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 16 2012 21:45:51
 
machopicasso

 

Posts: 973
Joined: Nov. 27 2010
 

RE: What's the Story? (in reply to Mark2) 
quote:

One thing is for sure, when Villegas finished the story, he had people practically crying before he hit a note.


I don't have anything insightful to say in response to your main question, but that sounds intense. So, I'm curious what he said.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2012 8:11:29
 
Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: What's the Story? (in reply to Mark2) 
"Rodrigo and his wife Victoria stayed silent for many years about the inspiration for the second movement, and thus the popular belief grew that it was inspired by the bombing of Guernica in 1937. In her autobiography, Victoria eventually declared that it was both an evocation of the happy days of their honeymoon and a response to Rodrigo's devastation at the miscarriage of their first pregnancy. It was composed in 1939 in Paris.[1]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concierto_de_Aranjuez

Never heard about any story about the tremolo etude.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2012 18:04:25
 
Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: What's the Story? > Off Topic (in reply to Mark2) 
"Nothing to do with flamenco, move along"


About Rodrigo - what Miguel said. Here's the dramatic video version:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k3oVgT40GFPAlv4L67?start=145

As for RDLA, the original title was "Improvisación ¡A Granada! Cantiga Arabe" and apparently commemorated Tárrega's visit to Granada with his bit on the side.
I defer to the all-knowing AG, a treasure-house of information on such matters:
http://www.ga-usa.com/classical-guitar/projects/ag_post/101/ag00127.html

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2012 19:06:44
 
Mark2

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco

RE: What's the Story? (in reply to Mark2) 
According to Villegas, it was in fact about the death of his son. The second movement represents a conversation between the composer and god, in which he questions the reason for his son's death. The harmonics at the end represent his son's soul going up to heaven. The final upbeat movement is about his acceptance of the loss.

The alhambra piece-I studied with Mariano Cordoba, who's teacher Raphael Noglaes knew Tarrega's widow, or perhaps more likely(based on the era in which he lived), one of his children. The story is that the piece was inspired by the last moorish king in Granada, who when about to be exiled, took one last look at the alhambra and was told by his mother " Cry like a boy for what you could not defend as a man"

There's no doubt that the relating of these stories in a concert aimed at the average listener enhance the experience for many. I've seen it over and over. But are they accurate?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2012 19:22:10
 
Mark2

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco

RE: What's the Story? > Off Topic (in reply to Estevan) 
Really? Villegas said the first movement is based on bulerias rhythm. As far as the second movement, if there's no flamenco in that, that's flamenco's loss.

Thanks for the vid. I enjoyed that

quote:

ORIGINAL: Estevan

"Nothing to do with flamenco, move along"



  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2012 19:27:26
 
Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: What's the Story? (in reply to Mark2) 
Well, it has hemiola...

Mark, you know showbusiness. Maybe classical guys are finally getting it, too. I was told, by a guy who was in his band, that Esteban told a long story about an ancient Egypitian papyrus that was recovered, and--he told the audience enthralled with his deep voice--he would now be playing that very music. What followed was some mindless vamping over the exotic chord progression, Am G F E.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2012 22:13:14
 
chester

Posts: 891
Joined: Oct. 29 2010
 

RE: What's the Story? (in reply to Mark2) 
I've heard that Pepe Romero makes up stories for all the Classical Guitar war horses.

Asturias is about a creature with superhuman powers, or a vampire. Capricho Arabe is about an Arabian princess that is kidnapped and then rescued by a prince.

I always thought the tremolo in Recuerdos was supposed to signify the flowing water in Alhambra. Tears sure do sell better.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 18 2012 20:48:33
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