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Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829) was one of a number of guitarists to leave Italy seeking monetary safety in either Paris or Vienna. These relocations were, in part, the result of a huge public shift in interest to opera over solo or instrumental music. Giuliani settled in Vienna in 1806. During this time Vienna was the music capital of the world, attracting the finest artists. Here, Giuliani achieved recognition as the "greatest guitarist" and in his honor the leading guitar journal of the time was named The Giulianiad. Giuliani was held in high regard by Hummel, Diabeli, Mayseder, Beethoven and other key Viennese figures. His C Major Sonata Op. 15, was published in 1808 when Giuliani was 27 years old. This sonata is the only three movement sonata by Giuliani in the classic design; for this reason it will remain unique in guitar repertoire from that period. Giulio Regondi's (1822-1972) early music talents were cultivated by his father. As a performer of the six string guitar, eight string guitar, melophone and concertina, Regondi was considered to be among the musical wonders of his day. At the age of eight the young Italian was presented in Milan as a guitar prodigy, and set out to tour the major cities of Europe. By 1831, he achieved fame in Paris and London. Reverie Nocturne Op. 19 is one of Regondi's premier works and remains as a substantial tremolo piece in the current guitar repertoire. Manuel Maria Ponce (1882-1948) continues to be recognized as a leading twentieth century Mexican composer. His style of composition is characterized by his use of traditional Mexican folk melodies. Ponce developed a close bond and collaborative relationship with Andres Segovia. When Segovia commissioned The Folies from Ponce he specifically requested a substantial work for half a program, containing all available technical resources. In its entirety, The Folies contain a theme, twenty variations, and a fugue. In addition, it was intended to include a preludio, omitted in the original Schott edition. Segovia would later claim the Variations sur Folia de Espana et Fugue to be on of the greatest works written for the guitar. Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999) will remain one of the most loved composers of the twentieth century. In Por los Campos de Espana (In the Countryside of Spain), Rodrigo describes the imaginary suite as "one that travels around, and brings to mind the Spanish landscape." Each work within the suite is a portrait or an image of the landscape of Spain. This is a crucial irony considering Rodrigo was blind since the age of three and never looked upon the landscape portrayed in his music. En los Trigales (In the wheat fields), Junot al Generalife (Next to the Generalife), Entre Olivares (Among the Olive Groves), En Tierres de Jerez (In the Lands of Jerez), and Bajando de la Meseta (Coming Down from the Meseta) are the five works of the suite. The final movement Coming down from the Meseta into the south of Spain signifies the end of Rodrigo's images of the Spanish countryside and journey. NATHAN FISCHER is the director of the Alexandria Guitar Festival, an event that has been described as "guitar heaven" by the Mount Vernon Gazette. His performances in the United States and Europe have demonstrated "brilliant execution, great technical skill and sensitivity," and his ability to "master several hundred years of stylistically different music"-Colorado Springs Guitar Society. Nathan has a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Eastman School of Music in Guitar, where he developed his skilled and charismatic performance and teaching personality. In 2004, he was awarded the Andrés Segovia Award for Musical Accomplishment and Human Endeavor, a rare and prestigious award from the Eastman School of Music. Nathan Fischer is currently on faculty with the State University of New York in Fredonia, where he teaches guitar, history and literature of the guitar, guitar pedagogy, and music threory. In spring of 2006, he is projected to tour Southeast Asia, including destinations in Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore. His first recording, Images, was released in 2000. Check out the artist's website: http://www.alexandriaguitarfestival.com Track List: 1. Mauro Giuliani, Sonata in C Major, Op. 15, I Allegro Spirito 2. Mauro Giuliani, Sonata in C Major, Op. 15, II Adagio 3. Mauro Giuliani, Sonata in C Major, Op. 15, III Allegro Vivace 4. Giulio Regondi, Reverie Nocturne, Op. 19 5. Manuel Ponce, Variations sur Folia de Espana et Fugue, Theme 6. Manuel Ponce, Variations sur Folia de Espana et Fugue, Poco vivo 7. Manuel Ponce, Variations sur Folia de Espana et Fugue, Un po agi 8. Manuel Ponce, Variations sur Folia de Espana et Fugue, Andantino 9. Manuel Ponce, Variations sur Folia de Espana et Fugue, Andantino 10. Manuel Ponce, Variations sur Folia de Espana et Fugue, Animato 11. Manuel Ponce, Variations sur Folia de Espana et Fugue, Fugue 12. Joaquin Rodrigo, Por Los Campos de Espana, En los Trigales 13. Joaquin Rodrigo, Por Los Campos de Espana, Junto al Generalife 14. Joaquin Rodrigo, Por Los Campos de Espana, Entre Olivares 15. Joaquin Rodrigo, Por Los Campos de Espana, En Tierres de Jerez 16. Joaquin Rodrigo, Por Los Campos de Espana, Bajando de la Meseta Other Genres:
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