Performing Baroque Music on the Classical Guitar : A Practical Handbook Based on Historical Sources

David Russell writes: "Congratulations on this fabulous book. It will be a great help and inspiration to many guitarists."

AS we go further into the 21st century, more and more classical guitarists wish to play baroque and galant music in a manner reflecting stylistic understanding of those eras. We will never know precisely how the music was played then, but can come closer to understanding the priorities of the time. The common denominator of music in our chosen period is rhetorical expression. Historical Performance Practice, by bringing us closer to the essence of the music, gives us not only more understanding but - above all - more possibilities for moving our listeners. While striving to play in a stylistic manner, we must never forget the goal of performance: to communicate passions and elevate the lives of our listeners. It is with this in mind that the present book has been written. Author: Peter Croton, early music performer, and teacher at the world-renowned Schola Cantorum Basiliensis as well as at the Conservatories of Basel and Bern. Cover art and design: Johanna Croton

Paul Galbraith writes:“This handbook is a distinguished addition to the ever-expanding body of instructional literature for guitarists. In effect, we're treated here to a guided tour through a wealth of selected historical quotations and information, under the experienced supervision of Peter Croton, who offers his considered opinion at every step. A highly stimulating, provocative and educational read!”

Oscar Ghiglia writes: "A very precious collection of musical wisdom, in the words of Peter Croton and from the heritage of ancient living documents expressing profound opinions of historical writers, on their contemporary art of feeling and performing their music."

Pablo Márquez writes:“The great Hungarian pianist György Sebök used to say that ‘the first step to freedom is to make a choice. When you have only one option then you have no choice, when you have two options then you have a dilemma, when you have three or more options then you start having a choice.’ This new book by Peter Croton is a wonderful tool for guitarists to become freer in negotiating Early Music's vast territory.”

João Carlos Victor writes:“The popularity of baroque music among guitarists today raises the question: how can we convey the deep meaning of this music to 21st century audiences? Peter Croton’s book is an extremely helpful guide. He not only discusses historical sources, but also draws upon his experience as performer, researcher and teacher. I had the privilege of studying with him for two years, thus personally experiencing his incredible knowledge and true commitment to this music.”

Peter Croton grew up in the USA, lives in Switzerland and is an active performer and recording artist on various lutes and romantic guitar. He teaches lute and continuo at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, as well as lute, historical performance practice and guitar continuo at the Conservatories of Basel and Bern.

At twelve he began classical guitar with Leon Atkinson, and later played guitar in various jazz ensembles. Starting in 1979 he studied lute and classical guitar with Dr. Loris Chobanian (Oberlin Conservatory of Music), and Eugen Dombois and Hopkinson Smith (Schola Cantorum Basiliensis). He won first prize at the Erwin Bodky Competition for Early Music in Cambridge MA (1984) and has also won prizes at other international competitions. He has recorded numerous CDs in various styles (renaissance, baroque, romantic & crossover) and has appeared on television and radio as soloist and chamber musician.

His instruction manual "Figured Bass on the Classical Guitar: a practical approach based on historical principles" was published by Amadeus Verlag (2005). Six of his compositions for lute and voice were published by the German Lute Society (1999), and four new settings of texts by William Shakespeare for lute and voice by Tree Edition (2009). Two CDs of his songs ("I'll Sing A Sing For You" & "The Lute Player & Other Songs") have also been released.

Homepage: www.peter-croton.com

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