Original Compositions in Classical Style for Classical Guitar

16 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Traditional



Details:
It began in Texas, with a Sears Silvertone guitar. No, this isn't the sad tale of a Willie Nelson hopeful, but the origins of Colorado Classical Guitarist Christopher Boydston. Born to a mother who performed in Vaudeville (and a father who played only the radio), Chris' first instrument was the piano, which his mother taught him when he was nine years old.
As a sophomore in college, life changed when Chris became enamored with the portability of the guitar. A moveable feast of vibrato, harmony, and counterpoint, the guitar was a "miniature orchestra".
Like many musicians, Chris put in his time playing noisy clubs and bars. In those settings, Chris recalls, performing truly becomes a 4 letter word, W-O-R-K.
Quickly, Chris realized that there was a painfully small body of work composed for Classical Guitar; selections by Beethoven or Mozart were nearly non-existent. In response, the young musician began arranging works of some of the great composers, as well as writing original works. One of his most commercially successful arrangements was that of Scott Joplin's popular "The Entertainer". (G.Schirmer, inc. 1976)
Now settled in Colorado, Chris' professional life revolves around his music, particularly composing and arranging for the Classical Guitar. A collection of arrangements entitled "Wedding Music for Classical Guitar" (Mel Bay Productions, 1988), contains, in addition to original pieces, works by Wagner,
Pachebel, Eric Satie, and the composer Chris most admires, J.S. Bach. Creating "music to honor God", Bach was the last and greatest to write in complex polyphony. Chris' admiration is evident as he explains, "Bach says more in one measure than most artists say on an entire album".
While Classical Guitar is his strong suite, Chris plays and arranges in a variety of styles, from Blues and Folk to Flamenco and Bossanova. He has performed at weddings and private functions as well as in local restaurants.
Andre Segovia and Julian Bream are the two contemporary guitarists who have influenced Chris most strongly. Like many artists, Chris says that the fragments of harmony or melody can appear anytime. When inspiration hits, he whips out a used envelope or napkin and jots down notes. Much of composing is paring down. Sometimes "what you hear in your head, your fingers just can't do". But for now, Chris Boydston's fingers are doing quite well as he continues to make music in Colorado.
This album has been reviewed by Taxi as "An excellent evocation of Classical Guitar...Solidly crafted..."