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On
October 14 at 9 AM, the XIII Guitar
Convention opens in Parma at the local
Academy of Music. The local E.N.A.L (Ente
Nazionale Assistenza Lavoratori) organizes the
event under the auspices of the U.C.I. (Unione
Chitarristica Internazionale).
The
participants, quite numerous and from every
region of northern Italy, are welcomed with
affection and cordiality by E.N.A.L.’s Managers
who, in keeping up with Parma’s great and
ancient musical traditions, make sure that the
Convention takes place in the best
surroundings and in the presence of a large
audience.
Among
the participants are representatives of the
Italian Federation «Il Plettro», Prof. Romolo
Ferrari and his wife, the publisher Bčrben,
and a wide variety of guitarists from many
cities. Particularly numerous are those from
the cities of Bologna, Milan, Cremona, Modena,
and Parma, led by Messrs. Suzzi, Roveri and
Mautino. Also present are many luthiers, here
in Parma for the National Lutherie
Competition, whose results have been announced
in the afternoon.
At
the opening of the session, the Assembly
elects its President, Raffaele Suzzi from
Bologna and its Secretary, Umberto Sterzati
from Cremona.
The
Assembly then moves on to the selection of
four guitarists, who will serve as members of
the Jury for the National Lutherie Prize.
Appointed as Jurors are Messrs. Alberto
Mautino, Amleto Tempestini, Antonio Misto,
and Eber Romani.
The
Assembly then moves forward with the
presentations from various participants.
Maestro Gio Batta Briano from Genoa is the
first to speak. He invites the Convention to
join him in urging the Ministry of
Education to establish an officially
accredited School of Guitar.
Mr.
Tempestini steps in, recommending the
establishment of a guitar course at the School
of Music in the city of Milan. Tempestini
hopes that this example may soon be followed
by other Music Lyceums in various cities.
Mr.
Tempestini then goes on to describe how Guitar
Competitions ought to be regulated, ensuring
that competitors appear in front of Juries
well prepared and ready to demonstrate their
capabilities. Miss. Elena Padovani, Mr.
Mautino and Mr. Romani take also part in this
discussion. All agree that the success of the
Competitions relies on the following essential
requirements:
–
Timely publication of Calls for Proposals to
allow adequate preparation time for all
participants.
–
Exclusion from the Jury of guitar teachers
whose students take part in the Competition;
–
Auditions, but only in front of Jury, to
prevent the public
from disrupting or from influencing the
decision of the Commissioners by taking side
with this or that competitor.
Prof.
Romolo Ferrari rises to speak, calling for a
renewal in music for guitar, which must keep
up with the times and be able to embrace the
musical innovations of recent years. Ferrari
then presents to the participants one of his
recent and extensive works, the «Tabella degli
accordi», explaining its purpose and its great
usefulness for guitarists and composers.
Mr.
Pezzoli, in partial agreement with the views
expressed by Prof. Ferrari, declares that the
use of certain modern chords is not
appropriate for guitar music. In his opinion,
the guitar would be consigned to a lower
level.
Prof.
Ferrari then goes on to describe two other of
his studies dedicated to modern arrangements
(of which he declares himself a supporter) and
to harmonic sounds, which represent an
unexplored realm capable of offering great
benefits to composers.
The
participants then move on to the designation
of the site for the XIV Guitar Convention of
1952. The choice falls on the city of Turin on
a date to be decided. The National Lutherie
Competition will also take place in 1952. From
this day on, the two events will be held
together.
The
Guitar Competition, however, will still be
held next summer at S. Andrea Bagni, together
with a Competition on original compositions
for guitar. The two competitions will be
announced in due course.
Maestro Briano takes the podium again
proposing a motion of congratulations to
Conte Chigi Saracini, who so generously established in
Siena a course for classical guitar, asking
the great Maestro Segovia to teach it.
Maestro Sterzati then invites all guitarists
to do their best in establishing free courses
for guitar in each city aimed at promoting,
among young people, the passion for our
instrument and the desire to nurture it with
tenacity and earnestness. Sterzati also
proposes asking various RAI radio stations to
broadcast guitar music with greater
regularity. This
would meet the desires of enthusiasts, as well
as contribute to the greater knowledge of the
instrument.
Mr.
Romani adds that, also, recording companies
should be encouraged to record performances of
famous guitarists. This happens rarely today
and its almost inexistent in Italy.
Maestro Briano expresses his desire in support
of the publication of pieces for guitar and
orchestra. Prof. Ferrari responds by pointing
out the serious difficulties that hinder music
publishers. Among these difficulties is the
high costs incurred in printing voluminous
works with a low distribution rate, such as
those for orchestra and guitar, or for
instrument ensembles with guitar. He is
of the opinion, however, that Competitions for
musical compositions would substantially
contribute in increasing composer
productivity, as well as increasing the
publication of large works.
The
Assembly then reads out the telegram, sent by
E.N.A.L.’s Provincial Director, wishing all
attendees fruitful work and great success
for the XIII Guitar Day. The Assembly comes
to an end with this nice greeting, allowing
the guitarists − chosen as members of the Jury
for the National Lutherie Competition − to
leave in order to listen and judge the
instruments.
Before departing, the participants gather in
the beautiful cloister of the Conservatory for
a group photograph.
At 3
PM, all attendees gather again, this time to
assist at the musical performances.
They listen to the
following performers: Giulio Zucchi - Giovanni
Carotta - Aldo Minella (aged 12) - Bruno
Ghirarduzzi - Luigi Borghi - Giorgio Pezzoli -
Amleto Tempestini - Claudia Tempestini (aged
9) - Antonio Barbieri - Alberto Mautino.
Many
rounds of applause greet the performance of
the fine guitarists, some of whom show a truly
remarkable quality while, all of them, great
seriousness and good knowledge of the
instrument.
The
participants then focus their attention on the
winners of the National Competition of
Lutherie, announced elsewhere.
At 21
hours, the evening concert begins in the
presence of a large and enthusiastic audience,
with performances by musicians Lolita Sabicas
Tagore, Enrico Tagliavini, and Giorgio Balboni,
with the following program:
LOLITA SABICAS TAGORE:
Frescobaldi - Aria con variazioni
S o r - Minuetto op. 11 n. 4
“ - Minuetto op. 11 n. 5
“ - Studio
De Visée - Suite in Re minore
(Intervallo)
Bach J. S. - Preludio
“ - Allemanda
“ - Corrente
“ - Bourrée
Aguado - Studio
Tarrega - Ricordi dell’Alhambra
ENRICO TAGLIAVINI:
Terzi - Sera di maggio
Giuliani - Allegro brillante op. 5
Legnani - Introduzione, tema e variazioni
Sor - Studio in Do maggiore
GIORGIO BALBONI:
Sor - Variazioni sul Flauto magico
Coste - Studio
Segovia - Improvviso
Legnani - Fantasia op. 19
Llobet - Estilo popular criollo
Miss
Lolita Sabicas Tagore, who during previous
Guitar Day had already given proof of her
fine musicality and technique, even though ill
and feverish, unwilling to fall short of her
obligations, shows up for her audience. She
is greeted with warm rounds of applause.
Greeted by vibrant cheers is also the young
guitarist Enrico Tagliavini from Parma, winner
of the National S. Andrea Bagni Competition.
Tagliavini amazes everyone for the skill and
ease with which he faces the difficult pieces
of his repertoire, demonstrating his
proficiency as a guitarist with a promising
future.
Prof.
Giorgio Balboni, already known to most of the
participants, receives his usual warm and
deserved acclaim that greets all his
performances. Balboni’s welcome once again
confirms the high quality of his technique
and interpretation that place him among the
best concert performers of the new
generation.
U. Sterzati,
La XIII Giornata Chitarristica, in
«L’Arte Chitarristica», V, n. 29, 1951. pp.
1-3 |
