Eliot Fisk

[Keelor]

Hello


What do you think of Eliot Fisk ?

I have discovered this guitarist several days ago...
At first sight, he is an amazing guitarist who plays with an outstanding velocity...
But on second thoughts, I wonder if he is really a great musician... I have heard (only) 5 ou 6 pieces but he always seems to have something to prove. I have the feeling that he wants to prove that he is the best technician, and is able to play sixteenth notes during three minutes... And that is sometimes be boring, like in Paganini's 5th capriccio.
Moreover, I don't like the way he plays baroque music. As for me, the dynamics (is that the correct word ?) are excessive. Lots of pianissimo subito, sforzando,... while playing Scarlatti and Bach, whereas the harpsichord doesn't have shadings of volume.


I can't form an opinion immediatly, so I would like to know what you think.


Please excuse me for my execrable english... If you are very nice, you can correct my mistakes. :D

[edwardcav]

dynamics is the right word :D ie: louds and softs in music

[Keelor]

Thanks, edwardcav. :)

About 70 people have read my topic, but there is only one answer...
You don't answer because :
1°) My post is incomprehensible :(
2°) You don't know
3°) You don't care
4°) You don't want to answer
5°) You hate the French :cry: ;)

[APERTURE]

--

[Jonny Hotnuts]

Hey Keelor, I hate the French!!!

Just kidding friend!

Never heard his stuff.

:lol:

[edwardcav]

Sorry Keelor, but in OZ it is hard to locate such CDs...

I am trying to get a few recordings of his, if you could receommend one or two recordings that I could find and really analyse I will offer my opinion.

Sound good?

[Sandra]

In my opinion he is perhaps overly technical in both his thinking and playing and doesn't evoke much feeling in his performance, but Man!, I wish I could play like that!
I would have to agree with that statement. :)

I own a number of Fisk CDs but can't say I've listened to them much. Technical proficiency isn't the be-all/end-all in my book.

On the other hand, I've heard people denigrate John Williams as being cold and calculated, yet I adore him to no end. IMO, his playing is rock steady and has a lot of heart. That's what I aspire to.

At the other end of the scale you have people like Vladimir Mikulka. His technical abilities cannot be denied, but his interpretations just leave me flat and strike me as frivilous toss-offs.

[edwardcav]

I agree there. JW is technical perfect and his interpretations are solid and often quite moving. And this is where I think that Segovia is often over-rated somewhat. Segovia was fantastic, but I think some of his music was too washed down with technical effects to convey the original of the piece and tell the story that the music intended. Don't get me wrong: Segovia was great and did heaps for the guitar. But the reason I appreciate John Williams more is because JW tends to let the music tell the story - and assists it along the way where he feels necessary and to me it seems segovia can't help himself and washes a lot of his stuff down with ornaments and tempo changes often unnecessarily...

That is why I am interested to make my mind up on Fisk. Give me some titles...

[TheEvan]

Eliot is a quirky player and a bit quirky in his interpretations. In my experience he is a better preformer than his recordings suggest. Lots of fun.

As far as recordings go, I think my favorite (that I've heard) is the Rochberg Variations. Wow. Talk about a wide spread of expression, sound, emotion, etc!

[thaddeusb]

i know im a bit late on this one but i thought id get in my two cents.
Fisk is fast but, in my opinion, nothng tops David Russels tone and lyricism.(he can also play pretty fast, too)

[guitarz11]

Funny you should ask. Elliott is one of the best players I have heard. Simply because he has great ability. He can do things that most guitar players cannot. Simple as that. And seemingly with ease.
However, I must make a qualification. He has amazing technique, but that does not make one a great or even good musician. Case in point is Segovia. Good techinque, but has no feel for music. Sorry guys.
When it comes to playing beautifully, none beats Pepe Romero.
Juan

[sseow]

juan, IMO, segovia plays great music and not just "playing guitar"...i always enjoy listensing to his recording of malats's Serenata Espaola....especially from the 5th bar onward, the tune he plays really sing like a true spanish...i have listened 2 many other recording, no one can come close to the way he plays this tune.... after i play this piece for so many time, i must admit tat i can't bring up the tune so spanish as segovia .... bravo segovia! but my personal favourite of best player with combined technical and musical superiority is julian bream.. he is probably the greatest guitarist still alive 2day..
seow
singapore

[ralphapex]

KEELOR, I am American but one of my best friends, co-worker, and lunch buddy every day is French so we won't get into the FRANCO/AMERICAN riff in this arena. However, back to your initial topic - when hearing Liona Maria Boyd play for him the first time Andre Segovia stormed out of the room screaming that she played "TOO FAST". I happen to enjoy all of Liona's playing but I bring this instance up as an example that being able to play something "FAST" does not necessarily mean it is "GOOD".