Even though the Spanish composer Isaac Aléniz (1860-1909) has not actually written for guitar, his music has been strongly inspired by the rich sounds of this instrument. Indeed, the arpegios that appear in his work Granada from Suite Española Op. 47 remind the typical playing of the guitar. Thus, the guitar transcription is very idiomatic seeming very natural and original for the instrument.
Here, then an interpretation I made of Granada!
Gracias a la invitación del Taller de Tardes Literarias y Artísticas organizado por mi amiga residente en New York Marcela Coello, grabé el famoso y hermoso tango “El Dia que me quieras”. Esta obra universal ha sido arreglada para guitarra por Anibal Arias. Escucha mi versión hecha en casa en tiempos de pandemia…
For the Month of Hispanic Heritage my friend Marcela Coello a resident of the New York area, invited me for her “Literary and Artistic evenings”. I played from the classic tango “El dia que me quieras” by Carlos Gardel. I hope you listen and enjoy this “homemade” version!
Quarantine has been an uncertain period, but it has also been maybe the gap we needed to encounter with ourselves and to see things in a different way. It has also been a good time for perhaps, catching up with those books readings and to update in the learning or re-learning of the music that has been there on our shelves waiting to be re-discovered.
Indeed it has been the case for Francisco Gonzalez, Colombian Suite No. 1 that I performed around twelve years ago, last time in Canada. This time I made a homemade record for the National Museo of Colombia.
Here are then, Bambuqueando and pasillo Canela.
During the last years I have had the great opportunity to introduce some of my videos through the great American company for musicians Strings By Mail. We released together videos with the music from Bach until Colombian tunes such as Cacao by J.C. Guio. Also to release videos with the music of Albéniz, Pedro Sarmiento and Scott Ouellette has been thrilling and rewarding. Additionally, I have presented some pedagogical videos and writings on history of the guitar and music in general among others.
Now that we are living the effects of the unexpected virus, not only financial aspects of life can be suffering, but also other aspects such as the emotional one. For this, nothing is better than art and music to enhance somehow the spirit with some hope. Hope remind us that we can overcome many things (better if we feel that superior mind or energy that support us in different circumstances in our lives), and more fortunate if we have access to art and culture. The human history has proven how the art has been an exit to overcome difficulties.
Thinking of this, I thought it would be a good idea to send a special message to SBM followers along with a home video as many artists are doing in these times.
Here is the result of this, a video made one afternoon at my place with a recently learned version of “Here, there and everywhere” (Beatles-Takemitsu arrangement).
I hope you enjoy the version of this song and I hope that we will get through the circumstances we are going through adding myself to the, I know, internal wish of everyone that at the end we will be stronger and better human beings.
It was in my first years in Paris as a student when I first got aware of the music by Haitian composer Amos Coulanges.
This was thanks to a friend of mine from Canada married to a talented painter who lived in Paris. She was a big fan of Amos and she introduced me to his great musical art.
The universal Caribean genious Leo Brouwer, said about the music by Amos Coulanges: The music of Amos Coulanges is truly representative of his Haitian culture: fresh as a landscape, direct as the trait of the “Creole” youth but at the same time equally complex…How can you combien so many diverse things into one?This can only be done in our Caribbean Islands. Thus the music of Amos Coulanges.
I have the opportunity to record “Variations apres “Adieu Foulard” and his hommage to Franz Casseus “Nan Fon Bwa” (both appeared in the CD Deep in the wood”).
Recently his music has been edited by Productions D’Oz.
And here is a little taste of his music: Se Sya, by Amos Coulanges, released on the channel of Siccas Guitars. Enjoy !
Irene Gomez her first concerts at French Alliance in Bogotá
Irene Gomez with her teacher Ramiro Isaza and fellows Mario Riveros and Omar Gonzales at the Conservatory of Music in Bogota
Irene Gomez during her first concerts at the emblematic Luis Angel Arango hall in Bogota
Irene Gomez after a lecture at NewYork Classical Guitar Society with John Olson President and Lee Soroca
Irene Gomez at Juilliard with maestro Carlos Barbosa Lima and fellows Cameron O’Connor, Collin Davin, Lucas Pullin