Classical Guitar News, Sheet Music, Artists, and more

I went and saw Roland Dyens last night here in Columbus, Ohio. I hadn’t seen him in performance for a couple of years now, and I forgot how he starts his performances. A minute or two into his first piece, I remembered what he had said on stage a couple years ago at Oberlin University. In his heavy french accent and emphasis on the stressed syllables in that language, “I began each of my performances with an improvisation.” So I leaned over to my wife and whispered, “Watch this – this will be interesting.”

Sure enough – Roland did not disappoint. He also played Mauro Giuliani’s Variations on a Theme of Handel (“The Harmonious Blacksmith”), op. 107; Fernando Sor’s Grand Sonata; his own version of Alfonsina y El Mar; three pieces from his Night and Day CD – All of Me; A Night in Tunisia; and Night and Day. He also played two movements from Triaela. As is typical with Monsieur Dyens, he announced his program from the stage, so I am forgetting a couple of the pieces he played. I’ll have to test the memories of a couple friends. As always, it was an excellent performance, and I highly recommend seeing him if you haven’t or even if you already have.

Several of us joined M. Dyens for dinner after the concert. He was equally engaging in conversation as he was in performance. If you go see him in concert, make sure and introduce yourself afterwards. If you play for him in a master class, don’t play one of his compositions for him though. He described it as looking in a mirror. And for that matter, don’t play a tremolo piece either.

I picked up his 20 Letters and I’m trying to find a copy of his Night and Day arrangements.

For his remaining concert schedule check here

20 Letters By Roland Dyens. For Guitar (CD). Published by Lemoine. (564028030) See more info…