John Williams: Changing the Culture of the Classical Guitar: Performance, Perception, Education and Construction

ISBN-13: 9780367730383 / Angielski / Miękka / 2020 / 214 str.

Michael O'Toole

Opis

This book assesses the influence and reception of many different forms of guitar playing upon the classical guitar and more specifically through the prism of John Williams.

Spis treści

Introduction 

The ‘Segovian’ narrative

John Williams and diversity 

Aims

1 Andrés Segovia and John Williams

Segovia: career, tributes and reception

Other contributions to classical guitar culture in the early twentieth century

Attitudes to other musical styles

Teaching

Interpretation of the Segovia legacy

The king and the prince

Williams as a child prodigy

Contrasting approaches to popular and folk music styles

Williams and politics

Shifting attitudes about classical guitar

Conclusion

2 John Williams’ approach to the classical guitar

Following the pulse

Performance anxiety

Approach to J.S. Bach’s Chaconne in D minor

Contrasting approaches to Mauro Giuliani’s Guitar Concerto No. 1 in A major, Op. 30 (1808)

Ensemble playing and sight-reading

Amplification and other manipulations of the natural sound

‘Squeaks’

Guitar design

Williams and guitar teaching

Summary 

3 ‘Putting the guitar out of classical music’

Cavatina and other film projects 1

Sky

Africa

Venezuela – El Diablo Suelto

John Williams and jazz

Summary

4 New directions in classical guitar

Sculthorpe

Takemitsu

Dodgson

Performing with Julian Bream

Richard Harvey

Williams’ own compositions

Programme choices

Leo Brouwer

Agustin Barrios Mangoré

Summary

Conclusion

Broadening the repertoire and appeal of the classical guitar

Critical perception

Summary

Bibliography

Index

O autorze

Michael O'Toole is one of the leading figures in the Irish guitar scene today. He has given many memorable solo recitals and also contributed significantly to the development of the instrument as artistic director of both The Waltons International Guitar Festival and The Chord Ennis International Music Festival. Michael also currently has the honour of being a director of the prestigious Kilkenny Arts Festival. Michael holds a PhD from the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, and a master's degree in performance from University College Cork.