The

Saint &

The Crusaders

A Guitar Lecture

by Christian Fergo

The bel canto origins of the Tárrega tradition, its continuation and transformation through its followers; the defining moments in 20th Century guitar history.

Barcelona 1901. The guitar genius Francisco Tárrega (1852-1909) has entered a decisive last stage in his artistic life. Dreaming of a divine sound, he begins to play without nails and rejects superficial virtuosity.

Will this fateful path fulfil his sanctified dreams? Or will it be up to Tárrega’s followers to save the classical guitar from obscurity in the 20th Century?

“Christian Fergo gave at the Hochschule für Musik Basel a fascinating lecture about the historical figures of Francisco Tárrega and Andrés Segovia. Insightful and inspiring journey through the bel canto influences and how the period instruments can teach us an important part of the sound aesthetics of the Romantic and Late-Romantic styles. Chapeau!”

—Pablo Marquez, (professor at Hochschule Musik Basel)

With emphasis on the bel canto style and the 19th Century performance practice, this lecture will give a new and deeper understanding of the Tárrega tradition, the human behind it and the artistic legacy Tárrega left behind. The lecture will also examine the continuation and transformation of the Tárrega tradition through artists such as Miguel Llobet, Jesefino Robledo, Luise Walker and Andrés Segovia.

The lecture features a historical guitar from 1901 by Tárrega’s friend, luthier Enrique Garcia, one of history’s greatest guitar makers. With this instrument, strung with gut and silk strings, the sound aesthetics of the late romantic period will be exemplified and brought to life.

Impressions