Shard by Elliott Carter- New Video with Zsombor Sidoo

It was a lot of fun having Zsombor Sidoo in the shop last week and recording a couple of pieces together. He is an very talented guitarist studying here in Graz. It was also a real treat getting to know this Elliott Carter piece a bit better while recording. I had listened to the old Starobin recording years ago, but I had mostly forgotten it. It's a little tough to listen to at first, but it really grows on you!

New Videos with Florian Palier

Last week, I had the great pleasure to record two videos with Austrian guitarist and composer Florian Palier in support of his recent album Bach und Ich. The album fittingly juxtaposes two large works by J.S. Bach against his own compositions and improvistational musings that play off of the ideas in these pieces.

The first video is Palier’s performance of the first movement of Sonata in A minor BWV 1003. He writes, “The affect of this richly embellished movement is one of grief. The style of ornamentation harkens back to the Corelli school. In contrast to the improvisational practices of the day, which allowed the performer much freedom in ornamentation, Bach meticulously notates each ornament; this was not necessarily viewed as favourable to his contemporaries. Scheibe writes, “Everything that one already understands in the methods of playing, he writes out in actual notes.”

The second video is we recorded is “…the final movement "con brio" from my "Four Pieces" that I composed last year and that are part of my album "Bach und Ich". The piece is reassembling ideas introduced in the first three movements and bringing them to a conclusion. Fix elements contrast with an improvised cadenza in the middle.”

Last Guitar of 2020!

Here is my last guitar of 2020. Needless to say, it’s been a wild year :). This is my Concert model with a heavily bear-clawed spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, Spanish cedar neck, elevated ebony fingerboard, Scheller tuning machines with brass plates and snakewood buttons. My own new rosette and purfling motifs.

Recital Model

I’m excited to present my very first Recital Model guitar. This is equal to my Concert Models in terms of construction and woods, but with somewhat less decorative marquetry, a satin shellac finish on the back, sides and neck, full French polish on the top and Gotoh premium tuning machines with roller bearings.

This particular guitar has a spruce top, London plane back and sides (hybrid of Sycamore and Oriental plane) and an extra light walnut bridge with extra bone reinforcements on both sides of the tie block. It has an immediate and transparent voice that is both unencumbered and enchanting.

Concert Model For Graz Conservatory

I am very happy to have been asked to build this instrument for the Music Conservatory of Graz. Each year, one deserving student will earn the right to use this guitar a their primary instrument. I look forward to hearing this guitar develop over the years in the hands of different young guitarists!

  • Spruce top

  • Indian rosewood back and sides

  • Cedro neck with elevated fingerboard

  • Scheller tuning machines with brass plates and snakewood buttons

New Videos: Petra Poláčková

My friend Petra Poláčková stopped by for a visit last week and we recorded a couple of short videos in the shop. Two short Legnani caprices: one slow and one fast. She is a phenomenal guitarist and musician, as well as one of the nicest people I know. As I mentioned in a previous post, she has a new CD out of S. L. Weiss that you should definitely check out!

This was recorded with two Line Audio CM4 mics about 1 meter in front of the guitar. Zoom H5 recorder.

New CD: Petra Poláčková plays Weiss

My friend Petra Poláčková stopped by the other day and I finally got my copy of her new CD. I've been listening to it the last couple of days and it's stunning. She has a power and lucid intensity that is uncommon and thrilling to listen to. I would definitely recommend ordering one!

Here is also a beatiful video recording of one of the pieces featured on the album.

Newest Concert Model

Here is my own latest concert model that will soon be available at Siccas guitars in Germany (www.siccasguitars.com). Spruce and Indian rosewood. 650mm scale length. Elevated fingerboard with 20th half-fret. Scheller tuning machines with brass plates and snakewood buttons.