|
Richard Jernigan -> RE: Why I am only going to use P-I-M from now on (Oct. 30 2013 16:34:33)
|
From Romanillos's book on the guitar maker Torres:
quote:
"One of the ribs of this instrument gives clear evidence of Tarrega's passion for smoking. There are several marks where the wood has been burned, probably the result of cinders falling from the cigarettes Tarrega smoked while playing the instrument. SE 49 bears these marks, undoubtedly resulting both from the artist's complete absorption in whatever piece he was playing and from the poor quality of the tobacco and the coarseness of the cigarette paper! Not only the protective coating of varnish was burned but also the very wood. The cigarette tended to burn unevenly, catching alight in some parts and not others, causing particles of smoldering tobacco to fall onto the upper rib of the guitar. In one photograph published in Pujol's book, Tarrega can be seen in the middle of a rendition of some musical passage and, hanging from his lips half-hidden under some musical passage and, hanging from his lips half-hidden under his beard is an unevenly burnt cigarette. A compulsive smoker, Tarrega was never without a cigarette, be it during his private recitals or during his public concerts. The music critic for the magazine Ilustracion Espanola y Americana remarked that not only could Tarrega perform passages with only the left hand but he also allowed himself the luxury of smoking while he played."
Tarrega was never diagnosed with lung cancer, but in middle age hardening of the arteries caused defects in his fingernails. He had to cut them and played without nails for the last few years of his career. According to the encyclopedist Domingo Prat it detracted from his tone. Hardening of the arteries was probably what killed Tarrega.
My friend Pat H. used to leave an end of one of his steel treble strings sticking up from the tuner. He would stick his cigarette on the string end if he sang while he played. If it was strictly an instrumental, he might keep on smoking. I haven't seen Pat for years. I hope he has quit by now.
I used to smoke regularly. One cigar per week, with a glass of cognac on Friday evening. Lately I've kind of lost interest. In cigars, that is....
RNJ
|
|
|
|
