March
2002
This year’s visit to the Spanish Circle on February 15th proved to be as successful as on previous occasions.
Steve Tucker started proceedings with Herencia Latina, followed by Petenera. George Macdonald provided a flamenco set, made doubly appropriate for the evening by an introduction in Spanish, read out by a member of the audience. This was followed by Gary Jordan and Paul Miron playing duets, including material by that well known Iberian, Robert(o) Johnson. Paul then played pieces by Albeniz. Richard Butter’s set was notable for its introduction in Spanish, constructed without electronic aids. Gary returned to the stage, and the evening was rounded off with the ensemble playing “La Cuccuracha” and “From the Andes”. This proved highly popular with the audience, who complemented the Society on the breadth of its programming, having closed the evening with highly enjoyable pieces from both ends of the South American continent (Mexico and Peru). Anyone who suggests that this happy state of affairs came about by anything other than careful planning should head straight to jail without passing Go and collecting £200.
All in all, a highly successful evening which was much appreciated by the audience.
Annual General Meeting
The society AGM was held in the first part of the meeting on 10th February, the 2nd half being taken up with preparation for the Spanish Circle evening.
There was a useful discussion on a number of topics, and as the draft minutes of the AGM are included in this Newsletter as a supplement I won’t go into details at this point in the Newsletter. However members who were not present may wish to note the possible impact of a prospective increase in SHP room hire costs upon subscriptions at a future date.
There have been some changes in the committee – Richard Butters will be taking over the Treasurer’s role from Mike Lloyd, George Macdonald will be handing the Web site over to Steve Tucker, and I am pleased to be able to take the newsletter on from Rob Brown.
Web site of the month
Most of us these days have access to the internet and have no doubt engaged in our fair share of surfing and searching for useful guitar related sites (we won’t go into any surfing of a more dubious nature). I know I have an extensive list of “favourites”, but I’m sure there are plenty more sites that I’m not aware of.
Anyway, it’s proposed to feature a different web site each month which members have found useful and may be of help to others.
February’s web site of the month (thanks to Steve Tucker and Rob Brown) can be found at the following address:
http://www.eythorsson.com/en/index.html
The main attraction of this (Icelandic) site is that is has available (free) over 1800 pages of downloadable guitar music in pdf format, including pieces by several “masters”.
This Newsletter also includes a piece by Domenico Scarlatti, an Italian composer & harpsichordist. He was strongly influenced by his visit to Spain and the sound of the guitar (Scarlatti’s harmonies were very advanced for the time and often used fourths, like the open strings on the guitar)
The simple 2 voice texture of this piece suits the guitar very well, and it sounds very effective on the guitar. There is no fingering included and some higher position work is required - maybe we could have a competition for the best fingering - the winner gets to play the piece at members night!!
Anyway, visit the site yourself and see what else there is that takes your fancy!
BGS News
CONGRATULATIONS are due to Chris Tucker, Steve’s 11 year old son, who has passed his grade 4 exam at the tender age of 11 with a distinction. Well done Chris!
Chris is taught by Terry Bryanton (BGS member) at the Earley Music School.