La Catedral

[Jordanao11]

Anybody play this piece? And if so, does anyone use rest strokes in the first movement for the melody(high note of each arpeggio) ?

[dallardo]

I learned the first movement of La Catedral about a year ago and have been getting good mileage out of it ever since.

To tell you the truth, i never thought about using a rest-stroke on the top note because for alot of the piece takes place on adjacent strings. I suppose with some practice a rest stroke could be achieved (its not very difficult), but its just more convenient and natural to use a strong free stroke.

Remember also, your free stroke should always strive to sound as full and loud as your rest stroke--- so in theory, if executed properly a freestroke sounds just like a rest stroke. This isn't always the case, but for me its close enough so that i can interchange and no one (except my teacher and colleagues) know the difference.

Of course, this is my opinion and situation, Yours is probably different. But some of the same principles may apply (ease of technique, tone similarity, expressiveness).

Hope this helps! :D

[J]

The first movement as in the Preludio "Saudade"?
The first transcription I had for the song didn't include it so for some time I've been starting with the Adanted Religiouso. It was one of the earlier transcriptions. So recently I've started on the Preludio but haven't used a rest stroke. Basically for the same reasons Dallardo gave but I've never tried it either to see how it sounds.

[cardenas]

I absolutely love the first movement. Strangely enough, many guitar CD's leave the first movement off. The 2nd and 3rd are ok....but it's the 1st that really moves me.

Anyone know of a good version of the 1st movement online?

[J]

I love the whole song. Definitely one of, if not the best of Mangore's works. The 1st movement is often left off because it's not part of the original piece. It was added later. Although I think it really ties the piece in together nicely.

[Beumont_suite]

I've never seen this piece anywhere where the first movement is left off. Without the first movement it's not a complete piece. It would be like a guitarist admitting he can't play it, so why would anyone leave it off? That just doesn't make sense to me. I play this piece in it's entirety and have to admit that i don't use rest strokes in the first movement. In fact i don't use rest strokes in most of the pieces i play. Just don't feel that comfortable doing them. The third movement is a great stamina building excercise. If you can play that one all the way through without stopping and without excessive wrist and hand strain then you've accomplished something.

[WillBee]

i agree with dallardo that rest stroke can be difficult for the melody line since you're playing your 'B' string alot. what i do, is play the other strings tasto (near fretbroad) and the melody line ponticello (near bridge) the tonal variation helps separate the melody from the rest

good luck

[dap22]

Hey all,
as J already mentioned, the first movement, Preludio 'Saudade' was written after the first two movements. Here is a little more history. The earliest Barrios manuscript of this piece from the autumn of 1921 was called "Distico Sacro", or Sacred Couplet, which of course had the Andante Religioso (2nd) and Allegro Solemne (3rd movement). The first movement (saudade) was composed as a separate piece in Havana, Cuba in 1938. In El Salvador, in 1939, Barrios added the prelude as a preface to the andante religioso and allegro solemne, thus making it a three movement piece. I wouldn't use a rest-stroke for the melody, as that would stop the B string from ringing, which is essential in capturing the feeling of the piece. Remember, this prelude, which is in b minor, is expressing a deep sadness. Saudade is a Portugese word that means a sad longing for former, better times. Barrios composed this work when he was unemployed, low on money, suffering ill health, difficulties with his marriage...no doubt one of the lowest points in his life.
Hope you found this interesting if you didn't already know it.

Doug.

[a333a]

Anybody play this piece? And if so, does anyone use rest strokes in the first movement for the melody(high note of each arpeggio) ?

Actually John Williams in a masterclass said that don't do the reststroke, (you stop the above string)

Hey all,
as J already mentioned, the first movement, Preludio 'Saudade' was written after the first two movements. Here is a little more history. The earliest Barrios manuscript of this piece from the autumn of 1921 was called "Distico Sacro", or Sacred Couplet, which of course had the Andante Religioso (2nd) and Allegro Solemne (3rd movement). The first movement (saudade) was composed as a separate piece in Havana, Cuba in 1938. In El Salvador, in 1939, Barrios added the prelude as a preface to the andante religioso and allegro solemne, thus making it a three movement piece. I wouldn't use a rest-stroke for the melody, as that would stop the B string from ringing, which is essential in capturing the feeling of the piece. Remember, this prelude, which is in b minor, is expressing a deep sadness. Saudade is a Portugese word that means a sad longing for former, better times. Barrios composed this work when he was unemployed, low on money, suffering ill health, difficulties with his marriage...no doubt one of the lowest points in his life.
Hope you found this interesting if you didn't already know it.

Doug.

I was going to say all that (well, almost), and you said what Williams and a lot of people knows about the rest strokes7harmony :

...that would stop the B string from ringing

[J]

If you can play that one all the way through without stopping and without excessive wrist and hand strain then you've accomplished something.

TRUE THAT!!! That one took awhile before I could play it all the way through without a bit of fatigue. Of course now I can crush steel bars with my bare left hand.

I figure you play a piece the way you think it sounds best. Rest stroke or not, niether way is incorrect. "Interpretation"

[jalal]

I absolutely love the first movement. Strangely enough, many guitar CD's leave the first movement off. The 2nd and 3rd are ok....but it's the 1st that really moves me.

Anyone know of a good version of the 1st movement online?

I found a version by William Wilson at eMusic. (www.emusic.com)

It's a subscription service but they offer you a free test run of downloads so you may be able to pick that up.

Although, I can recommend eMusic for a wide range of music, including classical guitar. (Frank Wallace, Carranza, Aliria Diaz spring to mind).

[nylon6]

I absolutely love the first movement. Strangely enough, many guitar CD's leave the first movement off. The 2nd and 3rd are ok....but it's the 1st that really moves me.

Anyone know of a good version of the 1st movement online?

I saw a reproduction of a recital program by Barrios--even he didn't play the "first" movement!

[Section_10]

Tough call, I try to always use rest stroke in pieces, if they allow. It's a matter of stopping the B string on this one. Compare, you will always get a stronger sound with rest stroke (am I starting an argument) rather than free stroke. Depends on if you want that B to sing all the way through.

[WILLIAM]

WHO IS THE COMPOSER OF LE CATEDRAL? I AM NOT FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND FORMAL EDUCATION SO I AM SELF TAUGHT ON CLASSICAL GUITAR. SEEMS TO BE AN DESIRABLE PIECE SINCE SO MANY PLAY IT. SO IT MUST BE SOMETHING OF IMPORT TO KNOW AND TO PLAY.
THANKYOU FOR ALL HELP. :D

[racer_x]

Caps Locks MEANS YOU ARE YELLING!!!!!

La Catedral ( The Cathedral ) is by Barrios. If you are a beginner such as I am at classical guitar then these are prbably way too difficult for you.
But if you want to see what is involved go to http://www.powertabs.net/
Search classical music, Barrios, Catedral and listen to the midi file.

[BigMac5]

http://www.eythorsson.com/music/1122.pdf

[selma600]

I think it's pointless to continue asking someone to turn off his caps...doesn't seem to work. Maybe there is something wrong with his computer?