I have heard a god play guitar, and I am humbled.
12:32 a.m.
He started out with three Polish dances by Jakub Reys (1540-1605) whom I had never heard of before. They were charming, perfect pieces to open a concert with. He followed them with a Bach Partita in d minor. The Chaconne was a monument, and his description of it as a �cathedral� was apt. He finished the first half with a �Russian Fantasy� of his own composition, based on two folk tunes. Not only does he play like a god, he composes quite competently as well, especially to show off his formidable technique. More on that later.
The second half started with an arrangement by R�mi of folk tunes in what he calls a �Celtic suite�. He included a Qu�becois reel, which he explained he had arranged so that he could play the fiddle and guitar parts at the same time. He followed this with the andante from the Mudejay concerto by Anton Garcia Abril (b. 1933), but he had arranged the orchestra parts so he could play them as an accompaniment to the guitar. Totally amazing. And he finished off with another of his own compositions, Papillon chinois, based on Chinese scales and with all sorts of beautiful effects. He played two encores, one being the adagio from Rodrigo�s Concierto di Aranjuez, including the orchestra parts.
Now, to tell you a little about his technique. He has glued an actual guitar pick to the thumbnail of his right hand, and has developed a tremolo that utilizes both sides of the pick, so he can play repeated notes incredibly quickly. He also uses rasgueado, or strumming, to play melody, where mostly it is used by composers to emphasize rhythmic chords. His left hand agility is so facile, hardly ever a pop or a buzz, and he can do things with his right hand so that you look around the hall and ask where the other instruments are. This is a concert which will not be soon forgotten.
As well, he is incredibly personable. He spoke from the stage before each piece, describing a little the techniques involved and the background of the work, or his own personal interpretation of it. Not only that, but he spoke in English, with his charming French accent, which was a nice touch. The audience had swollen with all the guitar players from the area, some people I had not seen in years. When we first moved here in 1987, Hubby played in a guitar trio with two other guitarists, and they were there, along with all their students. R�mi couldn�t get at the reception table because he was constantly surrounded by his adoring public.
At this moment the boys are listening to one of Hubby�s CDs, and R�mi is telling him he would love to commission a concerto. So far so good. I like this guy! But now it is late, and my eyelids are starting to shut of their own accord.
<~~~ * ~~~>
