Podcasts about lagq

William Kanengiser and the Alexander String Quartet — British Invasion (Foghorn Classics) Jump to giveaway form New Classical Tracks - William Kanengiser and Ian Krouse by “When I was in high school, I was in a rock band called Euphoria. We did all these covers. I had massive hair,” guitarist William Kanengiser says. “Even though I'm a classical guitarist, I have a background in rock, jazz, flamenco and world music. The whole vibe of this recording is something that comes naturally.” That vibe is the British Invasion of the ‘60s and ‘70s in guitar quintet form, featuring Kanengiser, best known as a founding member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and the Alexander String Quartet.  Kanengiser joins the Alexander String in their first album, British Invasion. It features incredible pieces inspired by Led Zeppelin, Sting and the Beatles. Kanengiser and composer Ian Krouse talk about how this project came together. How did the Led Zeppelin-inspired piece “Labyrinth” come about? Krouse: “I am also a guitarist, although I stopped playing many years ago. Growing up, I was interested in rock music and the Beatles, the Stones and Jimi Hendrix. I played in bands and learned how to do folk fingerpicking, which was my gateway to classical music. “I don't even remember how it started, but Bill and I were talking, and the idea of me writing a piece for the LAGQ based on a Led Zeppelin song came into view. We both thought, ‘Yeah, let's do this.' I jumped right on it and wrote ‘Labyrinth.' The original version was for four guitars. “A few years ago, Bill called me and asked if I would consider making a new version of ‘Labyrinth' for guitar and string quartet. The words were hardly out of your mouth when I said, ‘Absolutely.'” Kanengiser: “Although it's a classical guitar, I strung a second guitar with specialized steel strings. I have steel strings on the trebles and play with a pick. I get to do a bottleneck slide solo in this open rock tuning. “He writes a passacaglia in a baroque form. There's a 12-tone fugue on the subject. It's an intense piece. That's the highest level of composition. This is a crossover pop tune and a serious, amazing contemporary composition.” Tell me about “Prims: Six Songs,” by Sting, and the composer who made it. Kanengiser: “Dušan Bogdanović has been my dear friend for decades. Sting did a project quite a few years ago where he approached the music of John Dowland. He worked with lutist Edin Karamazov, who is good friends with Dušan. Edin commissioned Dušan to write these arrangements. “There's this beautiful letter that Sting wrote to Dušan saying, ‘You took the broken fragments of my songs and turned them into a flight of nightingales.'” How did the work of John Dowland end up on this recording? Kanengiser: “He was like a rock star, the Jimmy Page of the Elizabethan age. I knew Ian had written this spectacular piece called ‘Music and Four Sharps,' based on ‘Frog Galliard,' by Dowland. Krouse: “I've always enjoyed the thrill of music that picks you up and takes you somewhere else over many minutes. In both pieces, the goal was to unleash energy and passion. “ British Invasion Official Trailer (William Kanengiser & The Alexander String Quartet) To hear the rest of my conversation, click on the extended interview above, or download the extended podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Giveaway Time For Three New Classical Tracks Giveaway You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy. This giveaway is subject to the Official Giveaway Rules. Resources William Kanengiser and the Alexander String Quartet — British Invasion (Amazon) William Kanengiser and the Alexander String Quartet — British Invasion (Arkiv music) William Kanengiser (official site) Alexander String Quartet (official site)

Longevity and chamber music don't often go together. For every Emerson String Quartet that spends decades performing together, there are scores of chamber ensembles calling it quits every year. So when a group like the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet reaches its 40th anniversary, it's a cause for celebration. So what's the secret to their continued longevity? For founding member William Kanengiser, it all comes down to a foundation of friendship and gratitude. "It's really interesting that we were friends first, and then bandmates," Kanengiser says in the latest episode of the Classical Post podcast. "Like any group, we've had our trials and tribulations ... but we've left a legacy that we're proud of. We've had fun doing it and we've hopefully given people a little bit of joy and solace as we've gone along. We have a lot to be thankful for." That sense of celebration and gratitude is at the heart of LAGQ's new album, Opalescent. The Grammy Award–winning ensemble's 14th album finds the quartet exploring ideas of light, color, and sound through a wide range of works by composers they've worked with throughout the years. In this conversation, we discuss the new album, how the joys of human connection inspire William's music-making, and the important role wellness plays in his personal and professional life as a co-founder of the Thornton Musicians Wellness Committee at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music. Plus, Bill muses on his favorite espresso and the central role coffee plays in the LAGQ, his passion for cooking as a creative outlet, and how New York City's restaurants served as his gateway to the world while growing up in suburban New Jersey. Listen to Opalescent wherever you stream or download music. — Classical Post uncovers the creativity that exists behind great music. Dive into meaningful conversations with leading artists in the world today. Based in New York City, Classical Post is a touchpoint for tastemakers. Visit our website for exclusive editorial and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to be notified of new content. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok. Classical Post is an ambassador for NED, a wellness company. Get 15% off their products like CBD oil and many other health-based products by using our code CLASSICALPOST at checkout.

https://www.kanengiser.com/ (William Kanengiser ) dropped by on his way to Cleveland and we had a lovely chat about the https://www.lagq.com/ (LAGQ)'s new recording, Opalescence, and we also talked about his latest innovative undertaking, The Diaspora Project. Bill has been on the vanguard of the American guitar scene for the past four decades. It was a real pleasure to hang out with him!

Los Angeles Guitar Quartet — Opalescent (Lagq Records) Jump to giveaway form New Classical Tracks - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet by “One could argue that the original goal was that we needed to get an ‘A' in this classical guitar ensemble we signed up for,” guitarist William Kanengiser said about how the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet started. “We're still working on it.” LAGQ was formed 40 years ago at the University of Southern California, and its members are celebrating that occasion with their new release, which highlights the varied colors of the guitar, Opalescent. “It started with a friendship I formed with Scott Tennant at one of Pepe Romero's master classes,” Kanengiser said. “This was before he arrived at USC, and Pepe was a member of Los Romeros, the most famous guitar quartet. He told Tennant and I that we should have a quartet. “It wasn't until two years later that we went from being the USC guitar quartet to the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. That's why we're celebrating our 40th anniversary now.” Can you talk about Matt Greif, your newest member, who also studied with Pepe in Spain? “Greif joined our group, and we call him the new guy. He's only been with us for 16 years. We're still breaking him in. He was my student at USC and has done beautiful arrangements for us, one of which is featured on the new recording. “It was heartwarming to see the arrangement of Michael Hedges' Aerial Boundaries. I hadn't realized he'd been gone for 25 years. To hear that piece of music brought back to life by four guitarists makes Hedges sound like he was actually playing four guitars.” Why is it so important to have Hedges' Aerial Boundaries on this recording? “Hedges had a groundbreaking recording on Windham Hill called Ariel Boundaries. It just blew the socks off everybody. It changed finger-style guitar forever. “The funny thing is, quite a bit of this arrangement is a straight cover of what he did. It speaks to his amazing virtuosity and creativity that it takes four of us to do what he did on one guitar. Greiff went off the beaten track in the arrangement with a minimal 12/8 section that also beautifully adds his voice to the piece. It seamlessly works its way back to the original Hedges' track later on.” Why did you dedicate the album to Australian composer Phillip Houghton? “He's most famous in the guitar world for his suite for four guitars called Opals. It attempts to portray the glints and reflections you see when you rotate the Australian national stone, the opal. “He passed away three years ago and when we had started playing Opals, we thought we should record this beautiful piece. That work started the whole idea of what other pieces can reflect on the intersection between light and sound, or between the colors of the guitar and the colors you would see in your mind.” How does Frederick Hand's The Chorale turn your quartet into a choir? “It's unusual for us to have each person playing a single line as if we were singing. It's probably the hardest thing to do with four guitars. “John Dearman liked to say, ‘You know, it took us half our career to figure out how to play together and the other half to figure out how not play together, but to be together.' That requires years, and a lot of telepathy.” To hear the rest of my conversation, click on the extended interview above, or download the extended podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch now More on Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Listen to the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's recent Twin Cities concert New Classical Tracks Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Giveaway Giveaway You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy. This giveaway is subject to the Official Giveaway Rules. Resources Los Angeles Guitar Quartet — Opalescent (Amazon) Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (official site)

Join David for a conversation with chamber musician and soloist, Matthew Greif! Greif has a unique musical background, playing in his family band as a kid, and later transitioning to classical and jazz guitar. Matt spoke of his solo CDs and passion for improvisation, which led to duet recordings with composer Dusan Bogdanovic. He also spoke in detail on the audition process for joining the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Recent projects for LAGQ include commissions from the impressionist composer Allan Willcocks and jazz legend Pat Metheny. Matt talked about the collaborations and unique process of recording these monstrous works with Metheny/Willcocks as producers! Intro Music: Couperin Les Sylvains (Scott Tennant) Milano Fantasia No. 30 Allan Willcocks Suite Transcendent: V Danza Diabolica -Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

Scott Tennant is a founding member of the the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, the GRAMMY-winning ensemble composed of alumni of the USC Thornton School of Music, and is himself considered to be one of the world’s top classical guitarists. During his student years at USC (1980-1986), he studied with Pepe Romero, James Smith and was a chosen performer in the USC Segovia Masterclasses of 1981 and 1986. He has authored several books and articles on guitar technique, including the best-seller Pumping Nylon, which has attained a “cult” classic status. It has become a standard text in conservatory and university guitar programs around the world.Tennant has made numerous recordings as a soloist on the GHA, Delos and GSP labels, and with the LAGQ he has recorded for GHA, Delos, Sony Classical, Windham Hill, Deutsche Grammophon and Telarc labels. Their Telarc release LAGQ Latin was nominated for a Grammy award, and it was their current Telarc title LAGQ’s Guitar Heroes that won a Grammy as the best classical crossover recording of 2005. Tennant is best known for his performances of Spanish music, and his recordings of the music of Joaquín Rodrigo.Due to a technical glitch, the conversation enters mid-stream as we were talking about the way classical guitar playing levels have changed over the years. We go on to discuss his injury that nearly ended his playing, his recordings, we talk about traveling and balancing a teaching schedule, the state of the recording business these days and much more. Enjoy!

Episode 112 Apostolos Paraskevas

Matt told John that Brenda cheated on him with Bill. But really, it was Scott. Scott said he was at the Peach Pit all night and to ask Nat. Nat wouldn't say anything, but he glanced at Dillon. Dillon was too busy combing his armpits to care. Playing guitar in L.A. is hard. I open the Ellnora Guitar Festival series of episodes with an interview of LAGQ. 

  Chilean guitarist and composer Pedro Rodriguez comes on the show to talk about his homeland, being a nylon jazz player, and how much fun it is to hear Americans use foul language. He's in the right place because I swear like an older sister at a bachelorette party. 

Humanitarian Guitarist and partner of the outreach project Kithara, Matthew Rohde visits for an interview. Also: I got fired last week! Who want's cake?! 

Dr. Victor Kioulaphides is an award winning composer and concert double bassist who left his country for New York on a world class cruise ship. He met a plain faced, box shaped girl who let him paint her nude until the ship ran into a giant box of un-microwave-safe-good-morning-america coffee mugs. The End.

Scott Tennant is an internationally recognized classical guitarist and teacher. He was a founding member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet which has enjoyed a 30 year career and amongst many accolades is also known for his best selling guitar technique book called Pumping Nylon. In my chat with Scott we talk about LAGQ, his teaching philosophies, recordings and some great travel stories. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Scott Tenant

Evan Hirschelman stopped by to talk about his music, his upcoming technique book Classical Guitar Chops, and his inspired take on extended techniques in his text: Acoustic Artistry: Tapping, Slapping, and Percussion Techniques for Classical and Fingerstyle Guitar. We will listen to Evan's homage to steel-string, fingerstyle guitarist, Michael Hedges, and hear how that composition later paved the way for Evan to write another Hedges-influenced work for the Grammy Winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet's album, Guitar Heroes. Evan discusses his compositional style and process, speaks on finding an original voice in interpretation, and get to know Evan's recordings, including an exclusive All Strings Considered live performance of his new work, Meditation.

The 27 year old manager of some of the biggest young names in our industry (Caballero, Goryachev, Villagas, Palmer) throws his superior intellect at me and makes me Karate chop the door after he leaves. Just kidding. He’s awesome.   

I had a great chat over some of my almost-as-good-as-Scott-Tennant's espresso with the Grammy winning guitarist and composer Andrew York. We talked about a whole series of interesting topics, and you will have the chance to hear lots of new music from his recently released double album Yamour. Andrew shared his thoughts on playing and composing with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and a bit about the origins of his piece Sunburst, such as how it ended up on one of the landmark records of the classical guitar repertoire: John Williams's album Spirit of The Guitar. He also gives some invaluable advice to those amateur composers out there, gives a glimpse into his compositional process, shows his incredible appetite for surprisingly varied creative avenues, and even talks about art and software programming.

Let me introduce you to musicologist and classical guitarist Dr. Walter Aaron Clark. Dr. Clark is the founder and director of the Center for Iberian and Latin American Music at the University of California, Riverside, where he is currently on the faculty. Additionally Walter is an accomplished guitarist, holding bachelors and master's degrees in classical guitar, his M.A. earned studying with Pepe Romero. He's written numerous books and articles on all our favorites, most recently Tórroba and Albeñiz. For those of you out there that want music, and probably guitar, to be part of your primary career path, but are looking into alternatives to being a touring concert artist or teacher music history might be the way to go. Walter is a great example of this career choice, as he has been able to maintain his connection to the guitar world by writing about many classical guitarists' most beloved composers. On the show today Dr. Clark will discuss the life of a guitarist-musicologists, we will hear some interesting history about Albeñiz's piece, which is incorrectly titled Asturias (Leyenda), and for those of you who love Spanish music but a little tired of the same old repertoire, Walter gives us some suggestions for new transcriptions and arrangements in the substantial repertoire of Spanish light opera, Zarzuela.

I talked with Scott Tennant about Rodrigo's Entre Olivares, his fantastic technique book Pumping Nylon, some of his favorite moments with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and his arrangement of Wild Mountain Thyme. We also got some great practice advice and talked about his love of a great cup of espresso.