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Newsletter - October 2002
Articles
Eleftheria Kotzia - Concert | Quote of the month | Congratulations | Eleftheria - Workshop | September meeting | Next meeting | Stephen Kenyon - Fifth Anniversary Concert | John Edwards & Stromenti String Quartet | 2003 Meeting Dates | Membership Cards | Guitar for sale | Contact Numbers | Future meetings | Concert diary | Skin to Skin - Beginners' DrummingEleftheria Kotzia - Concert
Eleftheria Kotzia received an extremely warm reception at her recital on Saturday evening at Kinson Community Centre.
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Her natural charm and personality immediately captivated the audience when she introduced her music. She told the audience that the Dorset Guitar Society was the very first guitar society to invite her to perform prior to her London debut. That was in fact in 1985 approximately a year after the society was formed. Eleftheria’s guitar suddenly sprang into life when she touched the strings and we were treated to a colourful and vibrant performance throughout the evening. With such a strong sense of rhythm, she had the audience tapping their feet to the music. A delightful programme of music from Argentine, Brazilian, Greek, Italian and Spanish composers provided a Mediterranean flavour. All those people who telephoned me beforehand asking if it would be Greek programme should not have been disappointed. |
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‘Spring Songs’ by Evangelos Boudounis is based on traditional Greek folk tunes - the melody being reinforced by Eleftheria singing the last verse. This concluded the first half of the programme. The concert also ended with Greek music ‘Greek Suite no.4’ by Dimitri Fampas. |
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An unfortunate lapse of memory during the encore piece (Sound of Bells) just proved that this sort of thing can happen to the best of players. We had a complete sell out of CD’s in the interval and it was a pity that Eleftheria didn’t bring a few more. Food and wine at Katie and Phil’s house rounded off the evening perfectly. A very impressive map was produced by Phil for anyone not knowing the way! |
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Quote of the Month
In the beginning there was rhythm.
Top of pageCongratulations
To Matthew Rowe on passing his grade 3 with honours. Well done Matthew.
Top of pageEleftheria - Workshop
Outside - a blustery Autumn day with the rain pelting down and the wind blowing the leaves off the trees at Pelhams Park.
Inside - Greek rhythms filled the Sharp Room as members of the DGS, oblivious of the weather, earnestly concentrated on their music.
Rhythm was the theme of this excellent workshop run by Eleftheria Kotzia on Sunday 13th October.
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Our first piece ‘Kalimba’ by Jurg Kindle proved to be our biggest challenge with some quite tricky rhythms on all parts. It is part of a suite called Percussion Guitar, each movement imitates a different percussive instrument, Kalimba being the first movement. The percussive Kalimba sounds were imitated by placing a handkerchief underneath the strings (Nick’s handkerchiefs actually). This is a brilliant piece, loads of fun to play and really effective with rhythmic and melodic interest. Also the part fours had a very compelling few bars where they had to cross the fifth string over the sixth string at fret six using alternate i.m. right hand fingering, sounding not unlike a snare drum. |
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The Kalimba is known in the West as the African thumb-piano and is made from a board box or calabash, attached to the top of which are wooden or metal keys. |
The Greek tunes, as expected, were immensely popular. ‘Greek Dance’ was a lot more difficult than it looked with it’s 9/8 time signature. It had to be thought of as 2+2+2+3. ‘Speak to me’ is an extremely well known Greek song by Hatizidakis. Ellie demonstrated how the repeated notes on parts one and two, should be played with the thumb and finger or a.m.i.p. I’m not totally convinced that we sounded very much like bouzouki's though (even though some of the audience thought we did!).
By contrast ‘Fuga’ by Gasper Sanz needed to be played in a very legato and calm manner. We were told that there are no strict rules about accents and that they must be used in the context of the music.
We played a lot of music in the course of the day and a lot of important points were covered.
Eleftheria’s patience, professionalism and sense of humour all contributed into making this an exceptionally enjoyable and interesting day.
Top of pageSeptember Meeting
This month we tried out a new piece of music, ‘Calistoga’ by Colin Tommis. Calistoga was in fact this years prize winner of the Kilvington Memorial Competition at the Dillington Guitar Summer School. An unusual piece but I think that most people liked it. It went very well and it shouldn’t be too difficult to get together once we get used to the rhythms.
In contrast we also tried out ‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik’ by Mozart. This was a little more demanding and will need quite a bit of work on it before we can play it up to speed.
It was decided that these two pieces would be very good items for next years members concert.
After coffee performers were:
Rosemary played Simplement, Contraste and Nostalgique by Patrice Couineau
Richard played Milonga del Angel by Piazzolla
Chris played Grave ( Solo Violin Sonata no. 2) by J. S. Bach
Stephen played Six Pieces Progressives op 47 by F. Sor
and Nocturne - Reverie op 19 by G Regondi
Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on 20th October 2002 at 2 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. in the small hall. Please note the change of time. It is winter once again folks!
Top of pageStephen Kenyon
Fifth Anniversary Concert
Stephen Kenyon will be giving his Fifth Anniversary Concert on Saturday 26th October. This is the fifth anniversary of the first time that Stephen played in Dorchester.
The concert will take place at St. Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester at 7.30 p.m. If you need a map or directions please see Stephen on Sunday.
If you would like to party afterwards at Sarah's house please also let her know on Sunday and please contribute a dish of food and drink.
Visit Stephen’s website at: www.jacaranda-music.com
You will find all sorts of useful guides and tips on finger technique, sight reading, listening to CD’s, Contemporary music and The Baroque Suite and more.
Excerpts of Reviews of Stephen’s Concerts :
The Op 9 Mozart Variations positively sparkled, especially when viewed with the kind of insight that characterised this performance. An expert on the 19th century, Kenyon perfectly captured the mood of comic opera that lies at the heart of the music, with Papageno seemingly never far away … this was a performance that charmed and thrilled by turns.
Covering a wide range of styles and periods, Stephen Kenyon provided an exquisite recital of solo guitar playing, notable for the warmth of his tone and his impeccable technique ...
Top of pageJohn Edwards & Stromenti String Quartet
John Edwards and the Stromenti String Quartet gave a delightful concert on Monday 30th September. This was part of a series of family concerts titled ‘ Classics at Dusk’.
The Stromenti String Quartet is a well know and respected string quartet led by Jack Maguire, who is also co-leader of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Joseph Koos, who you will of course remember from the Quartetto Concertante concerts back in July, is the cellist.
The programme included an interesting arrangement of the slow movement from the legendary Aranjuez Concerto. John’s sensitive and expressive playing was extremely beautiful.
This was an excellent introduction to guitar music for the many children in the audience. The concert started at 6 p.m. with the intention of attracting families, unfortunately perhaps a little too early for DGS members.
Other music included Cassation for Guitar Trio by Haydn and two Boccherini Quintets.
John also played two guitar solos by Villa Lobos, Prelude no 1 and Chôros no 1.
John Edwards is a very fine player and looked relaxed and in control throughout the concert. This may be something to do with his Alexander Technique training - I think that we had better book another session immediately!
Well worth missing my choir evening for.
John is a part time member of the DGS and many will remember the Alexander Technique workshop last year. (see September 2001 newsletter)
There is one more concert left in this Classics at Dusk series with The Stromenti String Quartet. This will be on Monday 21st October at St. Clements Church at 6 p.m. and should not be missed.
Top of page2003 Meeting Dates
| January 19 | from 2.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. | February 16 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
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| March 9 | from 5.45 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.* | April 13 | from 5.45 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.** |
| April 27 | from 5.45 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.*** | May 18 | from 5.45 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. |
| June 15 | from 5.45 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. | July 20 | from 5.45 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. |
| August 17 | from 5.45 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. | September 21 | from 5.45 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. |
| October 19 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. | November 16 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
| December 21 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
* The third Sunday (16th March) is not available as there is a bird show on all day.
** The third Sunday (20th April) is not available as the centre is closed for Easter Day.
*** This is an extra rehearsal for those taking part in the Members Concert on 10th May.
Membership Cards
Kinson Community Centre have issued us with membership cards for 2002. I think therefore there is probably not much point in me issuing another card specifically for the DGS. I have already given some out at the concert on Saturday. If you haven’t got one please see me on Sunday.
Top of pageGuitar for Sale
Electric Guitar with Amp
Price negotiable
Tel: Mrs Owen 01202 536 986
Future Meetings
| November | 17th from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. | December | 15th from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
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Concert Diary
Saturday 26th October - Concert 7.30 p.m.
Fifth Anniversary Concert
Stephen Kenyon
St. Mary's Church, Dorchester
Tel: Stephen Kenyon 01305 257 099 £5 (conc. £3)
Saturday 23 November - Concert 8 p.m.
Southampton Guitar Society
Lorenzo Micheli
The Point Dance and Arts Centre, Eastleigh
Box office: 023 8065 2333 £8 (conc. £6)
Thursday 5th December - Lunchtime Recital 1.05 p.m.
Lighthouse - Poole’s Centre for the Arts
John Mills
The Studio
Tel: 01202 685 222 - £5
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th December
Urchfont Manor, Devizes, Wiltshire
Raymond Burley & Cornelius Bruinsma
Weekend course
Tel: 01380 840495 Fax: 01380 840005
Important Dates for 2003
Kinson
Sat 8th February - Fiona Harrison - Concert
Sun 9th February - Fiona Harrison - Workshop
Kinson
Sat 10th May - Member's Concert
Dorchester
Sat 21st June - Fabio Zanon - Concert
Premiere of Stephen Kenyon’s Guitar Concerto no 1.
Derby
Sat 4th October - Workshop & Concert with John Mills
Kinson
Sat 11th October - Workshop & Concert with John Mills
Dorchester
Sun 12th October - Concert with John Mills
Skin to Skin - Beginners' Drumming
Saturday 9 November at Church House, Wimborne, 9.30am-12.20pm. A friendly and energetic introduction to hand drumming using authentic African drums and rhythms. No experience needed. Cost £10. Bookings 01202 848859.