August 13, 2007 "Music for Five/Pujol Interview"
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Dispelling the notion that the classical guitar is mainly a solo instrument, this week's edition of Classical Guitar Alive! features music for five- two works for guitar with string quartet, four guitars with castanets, and a mixed ensemble of flute, oboe, guitar, bass, and percussion. Also featured is an interview with Argentine composer Maximo Diego Pujol.

Although he wrote music for over 200 films as staff composer at MGM studios, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968) is now remembered for his concert music, and ranks among the most prolific and important 20th Century guitar composers. His day job required him to compose music for an endless parade of B-movies as, "Creature with the Atom Brain," "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers", "Zombies of Mora Tau", and others, yet he still composed art music. Some of the greatest musicians of his time, including Toscanini, Heifetz, and Segovia, were ardent supporters and championed his music. Castelnuovo-Tedesco was also composition teacher to an entire generation of young film composers, including John Williams, Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith, and Andre Previn. His Guitar Quintet, op. 143 is one of his later works.

Spanish composer Federico Moreno Torroba (1891-1982) also ranks among the most prolific guitar composers of the 20th Century. In 1927, he became the first composer to write music for Andres Segovia (1895-1987) with his "Danza", which later became part of his Suite Castellana. Torroba's friendship with the Romero family of guitarists also prompted him to write for guitar, including his flamenco-inspired "Sonatina Trianera" for four guitars and castanets. Angelita Romero, wife of Celedonio, and mother of Pepe, Angel, and Celin Romero, performs on castanets with Los Romeros.

Argentine composer Maximo Diego Pujol (b. 1957) was heavily influenced by fellow Argentine Astor Piazzolla. In commentary provided by the composer, (and translated here by David Ford), Pujol describes his "Tangata" as a "tango-sonata", combining classical and popular Argentine music. Argentine guitarist Victor Villadangos performs with the University of La Plata String Quartet.

The program concludes with music by Yale University guitar professor and composer Benjamin Verdery. His work "Ellis Island" is performed by his quintet UFOnia, which features Vicki Bodner, oboe, Keith Underwood, flute, Ben Verdery, guitar, John Marshall, percussion, and Harvie Swartz, bass.



Public Rado Satellite System uplink:
Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 1300 Eastern Time digital stereo channel: A68.1

Program ID# 07-D65-00032
Title: Music for Five/Pujol Interview
Total length: 58:01

In Cue: MUSIC IN "Hello and welcome to.."
Out Cue: MUSIC IN "...another edition of Classical Guitar Alive!"
Program Length: 58:01

INTRODUCTION:

Bizet: Carmen Suite: Prelude
Los Romeros (Philips 412-609)

PROGRAM BEGINS:

Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Quintet
Kazuhito Yamashita, guitar
Tokyo String Quartet
(RCA 60421)

Torroba: Sonatina Trianera
Los Romeros Guitar Quartet
Angelita Romero, castanets
(Philips 412-609)

Interview: Maximo Diego Pujol:
"The Tangata de Agosto... ...mix of classical and popular music."

Pujol: Tangata de Agosto
Victor Villadangos, guitar
(Industria Argentina VIP 002)

Verdery: Miami, Florida
UFOnia
(Mushkatweek 1)

CLOSING THEME/FUNDING CREDITS