We are delighted to invite all to celebrate Frank’s musical legacy in an online festival sponsored by the Boston Classical Guitar Society. Headlined by Bill Kanengiser, the weekend events include two concerts and a masterclass. The events are free; donations will benefit the new BCGS Frank Wallace Scholarship Fund. For more information please visit http://www.bostonguitar.org
Frank, as a recent San Francisco Conservatory graduate, taught Bill Kanengiser, then a teenager, his first classical guitar lessons at Appel Farm summer music camp (NJ) in 1974. Frank continued on to Boston that fall, never to return to the West Coast. The rest is history…
Fünf Kleine Stücke (Five Short Pieces) is my most recent composition, now for sale, click here to purchase a PDF download. I recently paid a visit to my friend Aaron Green where I had the opportunity to play four different Hauser guitars from 1931, 1941 and two from 1959. The 1939 Aaron recently had was sold and not available as the fifth, so we used one of Aaron’s recent guitars which was inspired by the Llobet model of early Hausers. Read more below about my conception and the birth of this new work.
Fünf Kleine Stücke was written for Dr. Daniel Pewsner in thanks for many favors and good friendship. Also for my new found love of Switzerland and its many graces and lovely medieval towns, such as Basel, Bern and Solothurn.
Fünf Kleine Stücke
I. Sequenz I
II. Basel, 1298
III. Lindenberg, 2017
IV. Durch den Rhein
V. Sequenz II
My wife Nancy and I were on vacation in Basel, Switzerland and I had borrowed a beautiful guitar belonging to Dani. It, and the gorgeous 14th and 15th century surroundings, inspired me to do more more than a little technique maintenance while trying to relax (not my forte!). Composing does relax me, and so it went: a morning coffee, a few warmups, then composing, lunch with Nancy at an intimate downtown cafe, then off to a museum, walking the beautiful streets of Basel to get there. On those walks we continually looked for the earliest date above a medieval doorway – the winner, 1298. Thus the title of #2 – Basel, 1298, with appropriate harmonies to that time, many parallel fourths and a spacious flow reminiscent of the long and luxurious reverberation of tones in an all-stone cathedral or chapel.
My dedication of #4 to José Sanchez (another guitarist/friend residing in Bern who possesses perhaps the most beautiful tone I have ever heard!) is based on a trip we took twice to a country chapel on the outskirts of the exquisite town of Solothurn. José grew up near there and had recollections of discovering this magical place some 30 years before – all the while it sat in his memory. I was touched that I was visiting when it occurred to him to take me and Dani there to share his experience. The memory was good – the all stone acoustics were amazing and we soaked up the vibrations in joy and wonderment. On the first visit, a somewhat elderly woman with few teeth, thin, but strong in appearance, entered and asked if we could be quiet for a few moments. Abiding her request, she disappeared into a crypt behind the alter. Our eyes gazed in question at each other upon hearing the bass tones that emerged – wasn’t that a woman? Our question was soon answered by the next phrase that leapt two octaves and more. And so the questions and answers bounced off the walls, floor and ceiling of hard stone. We did ask what language, as she emerged, “my own, they are sounds that come to me.” And the music? “The same – it comes.” She departed, as mysteriously as she had entered, and left us aghast.
The five works are conceived as studies, tone poems they might be called. The prime purpose of any study is to achieve the maximum resonance of the guitar with beautiful tone in any technical circumstance. So a study takes a particular pattern and repeats it a bit more than normal. The several problems presented here are: scales with slurs, thus the two “Sequenz,” or sequences, that are inspired by the medieval form, and feature long scales with slurs, slurs that need to be incorporated into the flow, or pattern, with strength, clarity and fluidity; Basel, 1298 and the following Lindenberg, 2017 (the street on which these works were composed) focus on im chords, two note intervals, that span all six strings, demanding the right wrist be fluid and accommodate all strings so that the tone remains consistent (though variable as dictated by musical demands or inspiration); and the third major focus is simply melody and accompaniment, though in #4, Durch den Rhein, the melody constantly shifts between bass and soprano.
On this last point, I would comment that I have a rule that is essential to my particular style of playing: ALL melodies should be played rest stroke. Now, you may immediately react, “how old fashioned!” But I would have you pause for two seconds and reconsider. Every rule MUST be broken, so I by no means ever achieve this goal. But, even if it is totally impossible or impractical to play a note rest stroke. it is crucial that you try, that you practice it this way. Why? To get that lovely rich sound in your ear. If the ultimate decision is to play free stroke, you have been informed by the attempted execution of rest stroke, and your ear has been infected by that sound. You may want the melody to be soft and wispy, slightly or emphatically ponticello, where rest stroke feels to heavy and punchy. Great – do it. But I have witnessed too many great guitarists playing the opening phrase of Villa-Lobos Prelude #1 free stroke – it sounds weak – it can never achieve that full cello like quality that must be used. Imagine a cellist bowing across the string without wanting to press the string too hard! Shifting between rest stroke thumb and rest stroke finger demands flexibility of approach, particularly in the wrist, but also demands sensitivity in the fingertip/nail connection and arc of the fingers.
OMAGGIO, a tribute to the legacy of Segovia with guitar by Hermann Hauser I, 1931
Frank Wallace plays Villa-Lobos, Turina, Mompou, Tárrega, de Falla and Wallace
NOW AVAILABLE as digital downloads at:
“Above all he is concerned with the sonorities of the guitar, and as a performer he employs a huge range of timbre and dynamics…all on an epic scale…He uses a 1931 Hauser guitar, a magnificent instrument…”
Elemental, ARG, July/August 2014, Keaton
Once again I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to play a very special instrument which is currently for sale through Aaron Green’s Vintage Classical Guitars. While this is not a flamenco guitar, it is cypress with a very crisp sound and the action is set rather low – very low for my personal preference. So I was struggling a bit in this session to find the right piece that would show off both the guitar and me. After sometime working on Sor and Tárrega (coming later), I played a few chords of From the Windy Place, my first full length and through-composed piece. Then said, “Let the cameras role.” Most of what you hear here is the first take played straight through with two cameras rolling at once. Some reverb was added to enhance the sound of a fairly bright, though not terribly large room. Mics were two Schoepps omnis up close and a Neumann U87 on the room. From the Windy Place is on my first recording of original compositions: Frank Wallace: his own new works.
In the mid-late 19th century, the vibrant Sevilla school of guitar building centered on one street, the Calle de la Cerrajería, where at #32 renowned builder Antonio Torres Jurado (1817-1892) did his most creative work from 1856-1869. Arriving in 1845, he lived in Sevilla for almost a quarter century. Before opening his own shop in 1854, Torres worked up to five years in the shop of Manuel Gutiérrez Martínez (1773-1857) at #36 Calle de la Cerrajería. Since Torres and Gutiérrez were close friends, one assumes Gutiérrez shared his knowledge and skills with the younger Torres. The oldest guitar on this album, an 1854 Gutiérrez built the year Torres made his first known guitar, is remarkably similar to an 1857 Torres guitar (FE 07) in the Yale University Musical Instruments Collection.
I had the opportunity to compare the two instruments some years ago. The resemblance is stunning. They are alike in size, shape and lightness of construction. Both have three-piece backs, five radial struts, a v-shaped shaft splice, and an almost identical headstock, in a shape reminiscent of bull’s horns. The two luthiers clearly used similar techniques to refine the tops. (The Gutiérrez varies widely from 1.4-2.2 mm, corroborating Torres’ famous statement that his secret is in the feel of the tips of his thumb and forefinger). With different woods for the back and sides, their sound is remarkably similar: rich, dark, full and complex. Since Torres built this guitar in the older, smaller style of Gutiérrez the year the elder luthier died, one wonders if he built it in honor of his friend.
Manuel de Soto y Solares (1839-1906) took over Gutiérrez’ former shop at #36 (renumbered as #4) in 1868 then moved to #7 in 1875. From a distinguished family of Sevilla guitar builders (his father, both grandfathers, his brother, his children and grandchildren), he is credited with developing the tablao guitar for the burgeoning flamenco market, with its shallow depth, cypress back and sides, and domed top and back. My Soto y Solares is a superb example, showing the influence of Torres, whose instruments were fast becoming famous. It was exhibited at the 2000–2001 Boston Museum of Fine Arts’ Dangerous Curves: Art of the Guitar Exhibition.
Manuel Ramírez (1864-1916) changed guitar history when the young Andrés Segovia walked into his Madrid shop asking to rent a guitar. The 1912 instrument that he gifted him became Segovia’s principal instrument until 1937, when he began concertizing on a 1937 Hauser I. Both instruments are now at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The influence of Manuel Ramírez’ exquisite Torres-inspired instruments still resonates today, with good reason. Santos Hernández*, Domingo Esteso, and Enrique García among other great builders all worked in his shop.
The instruments of Ignacio Fleta (1897-1977) were made famous by many twentieth century virtuosos, including Segovia and John Williams. Like Madrid’s Manuel Ramírez, Fleta in Barcelona had the opportunity to repair many Torres guitars. By the late 1950s Fleta was pioneering his own style of guitarbuilding, veering away from his earlier lighter Torres construction to satisfy his clientele, who were performing in large halls. His early training and building was in violins, cellos, and bass viols. No wonder his guitars have such a soul-stirring sustain. In an interview shortly before his death, he spoke of the pivotal influence of Torres on his work.
Given there were too few submissions to the Film Scores Video Contest this past summer to choose a winner, I have decided to extend the deadline a whole year, until Labor Day 2016. So much positive feedback came in about the idea, and several people indicated that they simply did not have enough time to finish a project, it seems only proper to continue. If this is new to you, please read about the Competition here.
25% OFF MANDOLIN SCORES
type MANDOLIN into PROMO CODE at checkout
The 2015 CMSA Convention takes place this week in Austin TX. All mandolin music of Frank Wallace is available at 25% off for the week, PDF downloads or printed editions. Ensemble pieces are complete with parts and each page has extensive information and samples of the score, as well as audio or video when available. Click on title to view more information and purchase.
On the Sol, in Mi $6.95
2011 – 2 mandolins and guitar; for Mark and Beverly Davis
Night Owl $7.95
2012 – mandolin solo; for Annika Hinsche
Blue Heron $7.95
2012 – mandolin or violin; for Robert Margo
Gargoyles $11.95
2012 – 2 mandolins and guitar; for Mare Duo
like black snow $13.95
2012 – alto voice, clarinet or liuto cantabile, and guitar; poems by Nathan G. Wallace; for Asteria Ensemble
My Vital Breath $19.95
2013 – mandolin orchestra; Prize-winner José Fernández Rojas 2013 International Composition Competition; for New American Mandolin Ensemble
Gargoyles CDfeatures the mandolin and guitar music of Frank Wallace as played by Mare Duo and Friends.
“… range of moods and colors … is quite astonishing. …an exquisite canvas… palpable excitement…stylistic variety… consummate skill… virtuoso playing…” — Fanfare Nov/Dec 2014
“Mare Duo has a great sense of sound, a perfect playing-together and an uncommon high-leveled musicality. Wallace as a composer fascinates me. His music is modern but characterized by beautiful harmonies, colors, and a lot of vivacity in pitches and rhythm.” — Prof. Marga Wilden-Hüsgen
“Annika and Fabian Hinsche with their wonderfully united sound and their boundless energy combined with Frank Wallace’s rich compositional style, which seems to float freely and unselfconsciously between contemporary and early music inspirations, will, without a doubt be a winning combination.” — Mike Marshall
Performances of music by Frank Wallace, all available for purchase here at www.gyremusic.com
Last fall — Mark Davis played A Heavy Sleep and On the Sol, en Mi at Hingham Pulbic Library and has played the pieces at other local venues; The Bridgewater State College Guitar Ensemble under Dan Acsadi and the Hartt School Guitar Orchestra under Christopher Ladd both played New England Sextets
January 10 — The first NH All-State Guitar Ensemble gave the world premiere of Spring Symphony
January 23 — The Boston Guitar Orchestra under direction of Scott Borg performed Spring Symphony as a prelude to Sharon Isbin’s Boston concert`
February 4 — Josh Nakama played From the Windy Place at the Hartt School in Hartford CT
February 7 — Jarring Sounds performed Speak Love in San Francisco
March 4 — Frank Wallace will perform Passing in the Night and Black Falcon at his guest faculty recital at Keene St. College, Keene NH
Spring Symphony for guitar orchestra will receive its second performance on January 23rd, 2015 by the Boston Guitar Orchestra, Scott Borg conductor, as a prelude to Sharon Isbin’s concert for the Boston Classical Guitar Society, First Lutheran Church of Boston, 7:30pm; 299 Berkeley St., Boston, MA.
My orientation to the guitar is through the voice and choral music. The guitar is an extension of my voice: I can speak, I can sing, I can recite poetry with the guitar. I think this came from two experiences: 1) growing up in the sixties, loving every form of band from Peter, Paul and Mary to the Supremes to the Beatles, all with lead vocals and wonderful harmonies; 2) my audition to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music made it clear that I could NOT sing and I was required to take voice lessons to aid in getting through sight-singing classes. It changed my life, I have sung ever since, often with a guitar, lute or vihuela in hand. When I change colors in my solo playing, I feel it as a vocal expression of different vowels and consonants, a constant flow of subtle gradation of tone and personal story.
When I began to write Spring Symphony for the NH All-State Guitar Ensemble, I wanted the guitar to do something special, something big, bold and bright. I realized my model needed to be different than a four-part chorus or a harmonized melody and accompaniment. A gentle flow of colors would not be as dramatic as I envisioned. I wanted the grandness of a full symphony orchestra that achieves colors through different families of instruments. We guitarists achieve color by changing attack on the string, sul tasto or sul ponticello, or by the number of notes we play. With a 4-part guitar orchestra, I had 24 strings to use and I wanted to use them in as many ways as possible while keeping to a fairly conservative language and tonality.
In my inner ear, the upper voices as accented chord became trumpets, high melody could be flutes, violins or oboes, the mid-range melodies might be clarinets or cellos; full chords are the string section, low pizzicato is the contra bass section. While the rhythms of this piece are complex, they fit together to create colors as in a symphonic work. When the parts scramble around in short bursts, they are like the percussion section. Of course in a symphony, it is the contrast of these colors which can happen separately or together that make it compelling and different from the experience of an intimate solo work. That is what I hope to have achieved with Spring Symphony. I look forward to the day when guitar orchestras play mostly original music conceived with all its native sounds in full glory.
