I’ll translate that for my non Spanish speaking friends. It means Memories of Alhambra which is a classical piece arranged for guitar as well as other instruments.
Composed by Spanish composer and guitarist Francisco Tárrega (1852-1909). It requires the tremolo technique and is often performed by advanced players.
The piece was written for and dedicated to Tárrega’s patron Concepción Gómez de Jacoby in 1899, commemorating their visit to the Alhambra palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain. It was originally entitled Improvisación !A Granada¡ Cantiga Árabe.
Nana Mouskouri has performed a vocal version and Sarah Brightman has performed a re-adapted vocal version in her album Classics. Unfortunately both were unavailable to accompany me due to Covid 19 restrictions, however, I hope you enjoy my version of the piece.
A student gave me some good advice recently on learning Guitar in 2021. I’m sure it doesn’t differ greatly from previous years but it let’s hope that 2021 bring just a little more happiness.
Anyway here’s this one piece of advice.
Cheers.
Leigh
PS Please let me know if you have any phrases that help you
The cult film “Cinema Paradiso” with its’ score by Ennio Morricone, including the “Love Theme” have a connection to the city of Adelaide. What is it ?
I know we have a Cafe Paradiso and a suburb called Paradise but it’s neither of them.
So cast your mind back to the Adelaide Festival in March 2012 when …..
“The Adelaide Festival’s gala opening concert at Elder Park on Friday night turned cringeworthy when noise from the Clipsal 500 intruded on Morricone’s music for 40 minutes. Adding to the embarrassment, loud crashing and smashing of bottles was clearly audible several times during the encore.
Morricone’s concert, featuring 200 musicians including the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Festival chorus, in front of 5000 people was a triumph itself, with three standing ovations.
Among the works Morricone performed were The Ecstasy of Gold from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission.”
It probably wasn’t the best way for Adelaide to be connected to Morricone but that’s history for you.
Ennio Morricone’s body of work is highlighted in this extract from Wikipedia.
“Ennio Morricone (1928-2020) is widely considered as one of the most prolific and greatest film composers of all time. His filmography includes more than 70 award-winning films, all Sergio Leone’s films since A Fistful of Dollars, all Giuseppe Tornatore’s films since Cinema Paradiso, The Battle of Algiers, Dario Argento’s Animal Trilogy, 1900, Exorcist II, Days of Heaven, several major films in French cinema, in particular the comedy trilogy La Cage aux Folles I, II, III and Le Professionnel, as well as The Thing, Once Upon a Time in America, The Mission, The Untouchables, Mission to Mars, Bugsy, Disclosure, In the Line of Fire, Bulworth, Ripley’s Game, and The Hateful Eight. His score to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) is regarded as one of the most recognizable and influential soundtracks in history. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.”
You might like to check out your local library or other online portals to watch “Cinema Paradiso” or any of his other movies.
Another Adelaide link to Cinema Paradiso is that I have been learning the “Love Theme” from the movie and you probably guessed that’s what I’m playing in my latest video. This is another outstanding arrangement for guitar by well known Adelaide guitarist, performer and arranger Jason Waldron
Just a quick note to wish you a Merry Xmas. I hope you have lots of fun times with family and friends during the holiday season.
2020 has definitely been a challenge for all of us but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully the days of Zoom lessons, lockdowns and other difficulties are nearly over and we can welcome in a “more normal” 2021.
I know some Guitarists are crying out for the chance of playing in front of an audience and are being very inventive in the ways they interact with others. Luckily technology has bought us live streaming and allowed many artists to keep performing.
Of course there is always one outstanding, slightly off beat performance on guitar that deserves recognition. Have a look at the video and see who is really the star act.
I hope to see you all again in the New Year.
Merry Xmas and a happy New Year.
Leigh
NO CASH CARD ONLY. I think we are all getting used to seeing that sign everywhere during these COVID times.
But that’s not the CASH I’m talking about. I’m talking CASH, Johnny Cash, The Man in Black, that great Country Music man. We haven’t had any Johnny Cash songs on the Glenelg Guitar Studio website before so now is the time to right that wrong.
Many students are learning with the Hal Leonard Song Books which has a Cash Classic,” I Walk The Line”. A great piece to learn and easily recognised by listeners. If you don’t know the Johnny Cash story why not stream the movie “I Walk the Line” or follow this Wikipedia link.
I teamed up with Ian who is a mature age student to record “I Walk the Line” as a duet. I hope you like it and as always, let me know if want to learn this song.
I had often thought of buying a guitar and learning to play a few tunes but business commitments always seemed to get in the way and I didn't think I could find the time.
Luckily I found Leigh and he gave me a step by step learning method that allowed me to progress at my pace within the time I had available.
I really enjoy the learning process, so much so that I have taken on the theory and practical exams that are offered.
A great way to learn with a teacher who is genuinely interested in my progress.
Glenelg Guitar Studio 
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