JIJI: Live from The Rosette

Austin Classical Guitar presents: JIJI
Saturday, April 22nd at 8pm CT
Live from The Rosette

We’re so thrilled to welcome back one of the most groundbreaking guitarists of our time, Jiji!

Electric and classical, composer and performer, Jiji is an inspired interpreter connecting the past with the future.

[ScottCmiel]

2:30 O vis aeternitatis Hildegard von Bingen
Occhi io vissi di voi Claudia Sessa
8:40 Asturias Isaac Albéniz
16:50 Abigail Natalie Dietterich
24:40 Bailarín Tania León
31:00 Dynjandi Gulli Biörnsson
39:35 Caprice no. 24 Niccolò Paganini
46:15 Plus and Minus Molly Joyce
55:00 from Electric Counterpoint Steve Reich
I. Slow
Ill. Fast
1:06:00 everyone wants a piece of you Jiji
1:13:00 where you are now* Jiji

[robertgunning]

@ScottCmiel what mics are used in the stereo pair?

[patcartier]

A very American approach to classical guitar, that does away with many conscious or unconscious prejudices associated to the instrument. (I'm commenting from Europe.) This American approach has its excellent points, such as introducing the music of Steve Reich and other contemporary composers to classical guitar audiences, and not excluding electricity from contemporary guitar concerts, and also playing the music of female composers without insisting on how virtuous this is.

And its less excellent points: what is Asturias doing in this concert? There is no historical or esthetic reason for playing this piece at this particular place and time. Is the concert about innovators of all periods and what they brought to the instrument? Then you don't want to play any piece originally written for the piano! Tárrega is the obvious choice from approximately the same period and place. The Gran Jota, or else Cappricho árabe, would be an excellent companion piece to Paganini's Caprice #24.

With the exception of Asturias, the concert was indeed thrilling. I have to thank ACG for recording and publishing the event on YouTube. This is unfortunately the only way Jiji's music may be heard a continent away from Austin, in an apartment on the banks of the Rhône river.