Hugo Moltó Records at GSI
Hugo Moltó visited GSI and recorded five videos. Hugo Moltó is a classical guitar reference among the new generation of guitarists. His concert career was expanded as a result of the first prize he won at the XVII “Ciudad de Coria” International Competition, thanks to which he was able to make his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York. Since then, his performances have sounded in theaters throughout Europe and America.
Hugo Moltó recorded "Prélude" from "Prélude, Tiento et Toccata" by Hans Haug (1900-1967). Hans Haug, a Swiss composer, is celebrated for his contributions to 20th-century music, especially for guitar and other plucked instruments. Haug's works combine modernist sensibilities with a profound understanding of instrumental idioms. His "Prélude, Tiento et Toccata" showcases his affinity for the guitar, a medium he explored deeply after being inspired by the instrument's expressive range. The opening "Prélude" is lyrical and introspective, with a flowing melodic line that reveals the guitar's vocal qualities. Rich harmonic colors and subtle dynamic shifts create a meditative atmosphere. Hugo performed this piece on a 2024 Bertrand Ligier classical guitar made with spruce top and African rosewood back and sides.
Joaquin Rodrigo's “Toccata” for solo guitar, composed in 1933, is a virtuosic and exhilarating work that pays homage to the Baroque toccata form while imbuing it with Spanish flair and 20th-century harmonic language. Written during Rodrigo’s Parisian years, the piece reflects the influences of his studies with Paul Dukas and his exposure to French Impressionism, combined with a profound sense of Spanish identity. Hugo recorded this piece on a 2017 Fernando Moreno classical guitar made with cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides.
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco is renowned for his vivid and evocative music, often inspired by literature, art, and history. His compositions for guitar, many written for or inspired by Andrés Segovia, have become staples of the repertoire. Among his most imaginative works for the instrument are the "Caprichos de Goya", a series of 24 pieces based on Francisco Goya’s "Los Caprichos", a set of satirical and surreal etchings from the late 18th century. The first movement, "Francisco Goya y Lucientes, Pintor" (Francisco Goya y Lucientes, Painter), serves as a prologue to the suite, introducing the personality and creative essence of Goya himself. Castelnuovo-Tedesco creates a musical portrait of the artist, evoking his complex character and the profound intensity of his works. Hugo recorded this on a 2002 Hermann Hauser III classical guitar made with spruce top and pau ferro back and sides.
The piece "Ni Así la Distingue" (Nor Can She Be Distinguished Even Thus) is the 18th capricho in the series. It takes its title and inspiration from one of Goya’s etchings, which depicts a grotesque figure cloaked in elegance, reflecting themes of vanity, deception, and the futility of disguising one’s true nature. Hugo recorded this piece on a 1960 Ignacio Fleta classical guitar made with spruce top and CSA rosewood back and sides
Antoine de Lhoyer, a French guitarist and composer, was one of the leading figures in classical guitar music during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The "Variations on 'God Save the King'" is one of Lhoyer’s most celebrated works, showcasing his mastery of the guitar as well as his ability to craft inventive and elegant variations. Written during a time when theme-and-variations forms were popular, this piece takes the British national anthem, "God Save the King" (known today as "God Save the Queen" or simply "God Save the King" depending on the reigning monarch), as its theme. Hugo recorded this piece on a 2021 Kenny Hill "Torres 640" classical guitar made with spruce top and CSA rosewood back and sides.
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