1st Edition

John Williams: Changing the Culture of the Classical Guitar Performance, perception, education and construction

By Michael O'Toole Copyright 2019
    222 Pages
    by Routledge

    222 Pages 16 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This book assesses the influence and reception of many different forms of guitar playing upon the classical guitar and more specifically through the prism of John Williams.





    Beginning with an examination of Andrés Segovia and his influence upon Williams’ life’s work, a further three incisive chapters cover key areas such as performance, perception, education and construction, considering social and cultural contexts of the guitar over the past century. A final chapter on new directions in classical guitar examines the change in reception of the instrument from the mid-1970s to the present day, and Williams’ impact upon what might be termed ‘standard classical guitar repertoire’.





    With in-depth discussion of the cultural and perceptual impact of Williams’ more daring crossover projects and numerous musical examples, this is an informative reference for all classical guitar practitioners, as well as scholars and researchers of guitar studies, reception studies, cultural musicology and performance studies. An online lecture by the author and a transcript of the author’s interview with John Williams are also available as e-resources.

    Introduction 



    The ‘Segovian’ narrative



    John Williams and diversity 



    Aims



    1 Andrés Segovia and John Williams



    Segovia: career, tributes and reception



    Other contributions to classical guitar culture in the early twentieth century



    Attitudes to other musical styles



    Teaching



    Interpretation of the Segovia legacy



    The king and the prince



    Williams as a child prodigy



    Contrasting approaches to popular and folk music styles



    Williams and politics



    Shifting attitudes about classical guitar



    Conclusion



    2 John Williams’ approach to the classical guitar



    Following the pulse



    Performance anxiety



    Approach to J.S. Bach’s Chaconne in D minor



    Contrasting approaches to Mauro Giuliani’s Guitar Concerto No. 1 in A major, Op. 30 (1808)



    Ensemble playing and sight-reading



    Amplification and other manipulations of the natural sound



    ‘Squeaks’



    Guitar design



    Williams and guitar teaching



    Summary 



    3 ‘Putting the guitar out of classical music’



    Cavatina and other film projects 1



    Sky



    Africa



    Venezuela – El Diablo Suelto



    John Williams and jazz



    Summary



    4 New directions in classical guitar



    Sculthorpe



    Takemitsu



    Dodgson



    Performing with Julian Bream



    Richard Harvey



    Williams’ own compositions



    Programme choices



    Leo Brouwer



    Agustin Barrios Mangoré



    Summary



    Conclusion



    Broadening the repertoire and appeal of the classical guitar



    Critical perception



    Summary



    Bibliography



    Index

    Biography

    Michael O'Toole is one of the leading figures in the Irish guitar scene today. He has given many memorable solo recitals and also contributed significantly to the development of the instrument as artistic director of both The Waltons International Guitar Festival and The Chord Ennis International Music Festival. Michael also currently has the honour of being a director of the prestigious Kilkenny Arts Festival. Michael holds a PhD from the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, and a master's degree in performance from University College Cork.