New GSI Videos Featuring George Sakellariou

Our good friend George Sakellariou recently recorded three videos! George Sakellariou was born in 1944 in Athens, Greece, and is a longtime friend and frequent guest at GSI. Over the years, he has recorded 43 videos, all available on our YouTube channel.

A dedicated educator, George played a pivotal role in shaping classical guitar education in the U.S. In 1964, he founded the Guitar Department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, establishing one of the first degree-granting programs in the country. He served as department chair until 1987.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, George performed extensively across North and Central America, Europe, and Asia, earning international acclaim. He also recorded the album Sound of Torres for GSI, which was recognized as one of the top albums of 2018 by Classical Guitar Magazine.

“Maria (Gavota)" is a charming and elegant piece written in the style of a gavotte, a Baroque dance form characterized by its lively, triple-meter rhythm and graceful phrasing. Tárrega pays homage to the gavotte's traditional structure while infusing it with the warmth and expressiveness of Spanish Romanticism. The piece showcases his signature ability to blend melody and accompaniment seamlessly, creating a flowing and intimate musical narrative. George recorded this piece on a 2024 Marco Bortolozzo classical guitar made with spruce top and ziricote back and sides.

"Estudio in E Minor" is one of Tárrega’s most popular and accessible studies, beloved for its lyrical simplicity and emotional depth. Written in a flowing arpeggiated style, the piece serves as an excellent technical exercise for developing right-hand fluidity and precision while maintaining an expressive musical line. George recorded this piece on a 1966 Hernandez y Aguado classical guitar made with spruce top and CSA rosewood back and sides.

"El Testament d'Amèlia" is one of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces in the classical guitar repertoire, arranged by the renowned Spanish guitarist and composer Miguel Llobet (1878–1938). It is based on a Catalan folk song of the same name, which tells a tragic story of betrayal and sorrow. The ballad narrates the tale of a young woman, Amèlia, who is poisoned by her own father. As she lies dying, she laments her fate, reflecting on her impending death with heartbreaking resignation. The melody, simple yet deeply expressive, carries a profound sense of melancholy, enhanced by Llobet’s delicate harmonization and use of rich, resonant voicings. Llobet’s arrangement showcases his ability to transform folk melodies into intricate, emotionally charged guitar pieces. The use of harmonics, subtle dynamic contrasts, and voice leading create an ethereal and intimate atmosphere, making the listener feel the weight of Amèlia’s sorrow. George recorded this piece on a 2024 Eric Sahlin classical guitar made with cedar top and CSA rosewood back and sides.