This month our special guest is Gunter Herbig. He is certainly one of New Zealands finest players and he plays with a special depth and “soul”
His playing will be a mix of classical and electric guitar pieces. Mostly Bruce Paine and a few of his Gurdjieff transcriptions.
Here is a link to him playing a few Bartok piece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEwDVV-6P-M&index=4&list=PLSqsPr9s2KcfQy-s-HDj3kUvi0FA1meTx
Gunter has recorded several CD’s. They are available as below. In general this is the sort of music that is best appreciated with repeated listening.
Listen to Gunter’s bestselling CD “Hauturu – Where the Winds Rest” online at
http://www.emusic.com/label/ode-records-Musicadium-MP3-Download/202088.html
In May 2009, Naxos, the world’s largest classical music label released Gunter’s second CD “Prospero Dreaming – New Zealand Guitar Music by Douglas Lilburn and David Farquhar” (Naxos 8.572185) which received a 5-star review from the NZ Herald.
In June 2017, Naxos released “Dream Weaving – New Zealand Guitar Music Volume 2” (Naxos 8.573765).
Critics’ voices:
(Ulrich Hermann, The New Listener), October 2017:
“On the whole, this second CD by Gunter Herbig is a masterpiece, as it is very rarely heard in the inexhaustible – almost sprawling – repertoire of guitar music on such a high musical and authentically lived level”
(Hans Hofer, Coburger Tageblatt), January 2006:
“(Gunter Herbig) is an absolute master of his metier; he performed with dreamlike secure virtuosity, from breathed harmonics to fully realised orchestral flights of an entirely explored dynamic scale”
Ricardo from LaGuitare.com (France), November 2007:
“His playing is incredible, how can you communicate such power with an instrument just made of wood and nylon strings?
…Fabulous, totally and extraordinarily fabulous.”
William Dart, NZ Herald, about “Prospero Dreaming”:
“Gunter Herbig is one of our finest guitarists… The essential character of much of the music on this CD comes from its sounding as if it might have been improvised on the spot. That Herbig has conveyed this impression, with no sacrifice of tonal beauty or structural logic, is a mark of his artistry.” (Five stars)
Meeting Introduction
Clyde will start us off with an introduction simpler piece for all in a group situation. Many thanks to Clyde for the contributions he makes to our group in this area.
Ensemble Work
Such a great opportunity to have musical fun and develop musical skills. For this month we will focus on the pieces as follows:
- Meridian (Richard Charlton)
- Milonga Del Angel
- LAchramae Pavan
- Awake Sweet Love
- Arena y Sol
- Noches de Luna – from Argentina
Note that the whole document with these and the rest of the pieces for 2018 can be found at http://yadi.sk/d/_TAHmWE33SciZ3
Please practice your parts. Then you will enjoy things more and the playing will go better.
Members playing:
As usual we will have time for members playing. Either ensembles, duos or solos. And please, it does not have to be “classical” music that you perform. Jazz , pop , folk. And also “own compositions” are very welcome.
A new CD by our own Michael Riddell
Michael has played some of his arrangements of show tunes for guitar and voice at our guitar circle meetings. The joyfulness and beauty of the pieces and Michaels performances have brought a smile of pleasure. They are a real treat. Now Michael with the support of some other musicians has created a CD of showtunes and jazz standards.. He ended up calling it Younger Than Springtime, which is also one of the songs on the album.
Here’s a link to the album
https://riddellproductions.bandcamp.com/album/younger-than-springtime
Have a listen. If you like it you might support him by buying one or more tracks.
I have enjoyed it so far and would highly recommend it.
NZ Classical Guitar Competitions
Below in information about the upcoming New Zealand Classical Guitar Competitions.
This biennial event is a very important part of the Classical Guitar culture in New Zealand. Although it is too late to enter the 2018 event members should take note of the performances that are open for public attendance. They are as follows.
Dec 7th Friday 7.00pm Opening concert: Alchemy – Australian Guitar Duo featuring Andrew Blanch and Ariel Nurhadi
Dec 8th Saturday 9am – 1pm Youth division first round (open to public)
Dec 8th Saturday 3pm – 7pm Open division first round (open to public)
Dec 9th Sunday Final concert 2pm Youth division /intermission/ Open division (a short break for judge’s decisions and prize giving)
These are all presented at the Adam Concert room at the New Zealand School of Music.
I would especially recommend the opening concert and the final concert on Sunday Afternoon. Exciting times!
New Zealand Classical Guitar Competition
Dates:
December 7/8/9 2018, Adam Concert Room, New Zealand School of Music
Prize money (in NZ dollars)
Open Division:
1ˢᵗ $1500, 2ⁿᵈ $800, 3ʳᵈ $500
Youth Division:
1ˢᵗ Rod Capper Guitar and $200,
2ⁿᵈ $150, 3ʳᵈ $100, 4ᵗʰ $70, 5ᵗʰ $60, 6ᵗʰ $50
2 X $200 Prize(s) for the best performance of a New Zealand work (incl audio/visual recording)
Judges:
Andrew Blanch: Sydney-based classical guitarist, Andrew Blanch, is an up-and-coming classical guitarist whose performance career sees him frequently performing around Australia and internationally. His achievements to date include: the release of a critically-acclaimed solo CD, Spanish Guitar Music, numerous prizes in international guitar competitions, concerto performances with orchestras, and a sell-out solo recital at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Classical Guitar Festival Sydney. Andrew is currently working towards his next solo CD of Latin American guitar music, and touring programs with musical partners Ariel Nurhadi (classical guitar) and renowned Argentinian-Australian opera star Josè Carbò (baritone).
Ariel Nurhadi: Melbourne-born, Sydney-based Ariel Nurhadi is one of Australia’s most exciting young classical guitarists. His diverse collaborations to date have included the José Carbó Trio, Llewellyn Quartet, a guitar duo with Andrew Blanch, and the clarinet-guitar ensemble Duo Divan. Ariel’s first solo album will feature works by Federico Moreno-Torroba, Manuel Ponce, Joaquin Turina, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Alexandre Tansman and Miguel Llobet. Ariel is a graduate of Timothy Kain’s renowned guitar class at the ANU, which he completed with first-class honours before being accepted into a PhD program under the auspices of the competitive Australian Postgraduate Award.
Clyde Clemett: Experienced teacher and musician from Wellington New Zealand, Clyde was on the judging panel of the 2014 and 2016 New Zealand Classical Guitar Competition. He studied at the Wellington Conservatorium of Music under Matthew Marshall and performed throughout New Zealand as a soloist and member of the Wellington Guitar Quartet, for many years. He is now the musical director and regular performer with the chamber-pop group Sven Olsen’s Brutal Canadian Love Saga. He has been teaching guitar in the Wellington Region for over thirty five years.
Competition Guidelines
The NZCG Competition is an international competition, no entry restrictions other than the age requirements indicated below.
Youth Division: age: born after December 1st 2000
- 1st round: 5-7 minutes free choice programme
- Final round: 8-10 minutes (can repeat all music from the first round)
Open Division: no age limit
- 1st round: 12-15 minutes free choice programme
- Final round: 20 minutes (including 10 minutes maximum of music repeated from the first round)
- First round (Youth and Open) open to public
- Final round (Youth and Open) public concert
- Repertoire in all divisions is free choice
- Competitors exceeding the time limit will be stopped without penalty
- Entries accepted up until Friday 23rd of November.Cancellations will not be refunded.
- The competition reserves the right to video record the final round for publicity purposes.
Schedule:
Dec 7th Friday 5:30-6pm Registration: all competitors to meet in room 209. Hand in copies of scores
Dec 7th Friday 6pm Tour of venue and warm-up rooms. Playing order of first rounds announced.
Dec 7th Friday 7.00pm Opening concert: Alchemy – Australian Guitar Duo featuring Andrew Blanch and Ariel Nurhadi
Dec 8th Saturday 9am – 1pm Youth division first round (open to public)
Dec 8th Saturday 3pm – 7pm Open division first round (open to public)
Dec 9th Sunday Final concert 2pm Youth division /intermission/ Open division (a short break for judge’s decisions and prize giving)
Dec 9th Sunday 7pm Audio visual recording of prize winning New Zealand
Nelson Guitar Festival
Nelson Flamenco & Classical Guitar Festival 2019
About the Guitar Festival
Directed by Miles Jackson and Dominique Blatti, NCMA’s inaugural classical and flamenco guitar festival will take place at the recently re-opened Nelson Centre of Musical Arts state of the art facilities from Sunday 13th – Saturday 19th January 2019.
The festival promises to be an inspiring week of concerts and musical study, with students choosing between classical and flamenco guitar or flamenco dance.
For those wishing to study and perform chamber music, there will also be an opportunity to work with the Goya String Ensemble.
The daily programme will consist of:
- ensemble playing
- forums
- workshops
- concerts.
Interested – visit : https://ncma.nz/guitar-festival-january-2019/
Website and Facebook pages
Remember our website. This is a great addition to our promotion and communication potential. It can be found at https://wellington.classicalguitar.org.nz/
Please note that we also have a Facebook page. If you get on to this and like it, you will be able to see any updates, info/newsletters that go out. Facebook address is
www.facebook.com/pages/Wellington-Classical-Guitar-Society/374229745952921
Guitar Circle Fees
To offer our monthly meetings and to promote the activity of the society we need some funds. For example the room must be hired for each meeting. We have purchased a domain name for our web site. We need to pay for printing of music and promotional materials. It would be great if each person interested in the society could also support it by paying the membership fees.
They are as follows (for 2016)
First visit $free
$5 – Casual
$25 – Students
$30 – Family (2 adults and 2 children)
$40 Adults
If you wish to pay fees please give these to the host for the evening or another committee member.
Or you can pay by internet banking at
WCGS acc number: 38 9012 0700 830 00
Please include your name clearly and also reason for payment (Guitar Soc fees)
Thanks for helping in this way.
Contacts:
Want to find out more? Have questions about the society. The following committee members are happy to answer your questions:
Owen Moriarty [email protected]
Clyde Clemett – 3878882, [email protected]
Mike Wespel-Rose – 0275626341, [email protected]
Many thanks to everyone. – Mike Wespel-Rose (on behalf of the society organising committee)
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.