Lovely classics

Sweet, gentle tones and resonance: A selection of enchanting classical guitar masterpieces

Graduated from a music school / 21 years of piano experiencesatomi
I began playing the piano at the age of four and spent six years at a conservatory, focusing mainly on classical music while honing my skills. In addition to solo performance, I studied extensively in chamber music and two-piano repertoire, and I had the opportunity to perform twice on stage as a soloist in piano concertos. While not to the same extent as classical, I also learned jazz and pop through practical performance. I was active as a pianist in various settings, including instrumental and vocal/choral accompaniment, performance assistance for other departments, and recording sessions. Beyond the piano, I devoted five years to the trombone in a wind ensemble. I hope to draw on these experiences to share the charm of music with many people.
Piano-playing singer-songwriter / Executive Committee Member, Special Music Festival in Rinku OsakaHousui Sachiyo
I learned to hit the keys on a toy piano, started Electone lessons at six, and began piano at ten. I loved the piano so much that I declared, “I want to go to a music college!” and from junior high I studied vocal music, ear training, and music theory (though I never even took the entrance exam in the end). In my childhood, my saxophone-playing father introduced me to jazz, and my mother to rockabilly. I was utterly obsessed with classical music in junior high. In high school, my grandmother took me to hear live tango performances, and before I knew it I’d become an eclectic listener. Lately, influenced by my high-school-aged daughter, I’ve been listening to koto music and nagauta. I hold the rather rare qualification of ‘Music Proficiency Test Level 3, Western Music track.’

When people hear “guitar,” many probably picture an acoustic or electric guitar, but just as classical music forms the foundation of contemporary music, classical guitar is indispensable when talking about string instruments.

That said, for those who aren’t sure where to start listening, we’ve gathered beloved masterpieces from around the world—from gentle, soothing pieces to dazzling virtuoso works.

Please enjoy the classical guitar’s sweet, mellow timbre and its rich, resonant sound!

Sweet, gentle tones and resonance. Enchanting Classics: A Selection of Masterpieces for Classical Guitar (Nos. 51–60)

Joviniana No. 1Sergio Assad

Sergio Assad – Jobiniana No. 1 (Altius Duo)

Joviniana No. 1Sergio Assad

The Brazilian guitar duo the Assad Brothers also took the contemporary guitar world by storm.

This piece is dedicated to bossa nova master Antônio Carlos Jobim, unfolding a unique musical world where bossa nova and contemporary guitar blend together.

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Petenérade la Maza

Petenera – Regino Sainz de la Maza

Petenérade la Maza

Compared to classical music, which is largely confined to major and minor modes, guitar music that incorporates the distinctive rhythms and harmonies rooted in the regional character of Spain has contributed to the modernization of Western music.

This piece employs a composite meter of 6/8 and 3/4, and is a masterpiece with the poise of a folk dance.

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Toro mata – Cow killerPerū min’yō

Nobu Sasakubo Toro mata Ushikoroshi September 4, 2012 @ Minami-Aoyama MANDALA © Athos International

Toro mata - Cow killerPerū min'yō

“Toro Mata – The Bull Killer.” You might be wondering, what does “bull killer” mean? It’s the name of a tree that grows in the mountains.

As a Peruvian folk song, it’s a captivating piece that evokes the image of vast open landscapes.

It’s a cool work that might even bring to mind Studio Ghibli’s film Castle in the Sky (Laputa).

Please give it a listen!

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Harp and Shadow

L.Brouwer : The Harp & the Shadow (Dedicated to Shin-ichi Fukuda in 2005)

Harp and Shadow

This is a piece dedicated to Toru Takemitsu by the Cuban guitarist and composer Leo Brouwer, on the 10th anniversary of Takemitsu’s death.

The Japanese maestro Shin-ichi Fukuda has compiled a collection of Takemitsu’s works, and this piece is performed as one of them.

With a complex timbre reminiscent of a harp being strummed, it may be called difficult and enigmatic, yet it is exquisitely beautiful and serenely moving.

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LibertangoAstor Piazzolla

Miloš – Libertango featuring Naoko Terai at Tower Records Shibuya

LibertangoAstor Piazzolla

Speaking of “Libertango,” it’s one of the signature pieces by the famed tango composer Astor Piazzolla.

I think just about everyone has heard it at least once.

From the intro it’s passionate, sharp, and undeniably cool.

The singing, lyrical melody line really stirs the heart.

“Libertango” is a fiery piece that’s a joy both to listen to and to play.

Be sure to give it a listen.

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