Posts from ‘Reviews’
Luthier: John Weissenrieder
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John Weissenrieder was born in Pennsylvania, USA, in 1964. After his university studies and a 12 year career as a top professional cyclist, he dedicated himself to the art of lutherie, combining his cultivated love of wood and working with his hands with a passion for music. After relocating to Florence, Italy, his formal studies began in the workshop of Andrea Tacchi in 1998.
During his apprenticeship he also engaged in extensive research of instruments built by some of the greatest legendary makers of the past, including Enrique Garcia, Francisco Simplicio and Robert Bouchet. His research took him to Spain and France with the scope of investigating more deeply the works of these and other past masters.
John Weissenrieder now constructs instruments in his own atelier in Florence, in the spirit of these luthiers and yet at the same time in a very personal style, paying maximum attention to selection of wood and other materials. He uses a discerning combination of traditional and modern working methods and techniques, producing guitars of optimum sonoric and aesthetic qualities. He is perhaps best known for the fine instruments he has built in homage to Garcia, Simplicio and particularly Bouchet. Although John’s instruments capture the spirit of these makers of the past, they are also endowed with a sound and aesthetic which can only said to be John’s.
We just got three new guitars in from Hermanos Camps in Spain. I had heard of them, but I don’t think had ever played one, and I was a little surprised by just how good they are, so I thought I’d write a little review.
There are three models – the Primera Blanca, the Primera Negra, and the Primera A (which has a slightly different soundboard, even nicer wood, a 20th fret and upgraded tuners) – but I think that what they have in common is actually more important than the differences between them.
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During the Parkening International Guitar Competition a few weeks ago some of the competitors stopped by the showroom to play some guitars and it was great to meet some of the next generation of guitarists. This week we have two videos of young Australian guitarist Alberta Khoury, who at 16 was the youngest competitor in the adult competition. Here she is playing Albeniz’ Sevilla on a 1989 Miguel Rodriguez and Regondi’s Introduction and Caprice on a 2010 Pepe Romero Jr.
Julian Bream’s 50th Anniversary Concert
Wigmore Hall – November 26, 1951 / 2001
A Special GSI Review David Collett, our head of Sales, recently flew to London where he met with several luthiers including Brian Cohen and Liam Romanillos. He also attended Julian Bream’s 50-year anniversary concert commemorating his premiere at Wigmore Hall in London in 1951. Here is his review.
I was fortunate enough to get a ticket at the last minute for the Julian Bream recital in London, England this past November 26. Rumor had it it was to be Bream’s last public performance, so having never seen him before, I figured this may be my last chance. Backstage, after the recital, he was himself indicating that he is hanging up his hat to his “life on the road?” Nothing was mentioned about possible future recording projects either. However, given that he premiered a couple of pieces that evening (more on this later), I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
