The evening of Saturday 7th June was brisk: a sharp, cool breeze blew across Newcastle, with dark, ominous clouds gathering overhead. Crossing Civic Park, I drew my jacket closed, and quickened my pace to reach the warmth of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the venue for the evenings entertainment. Upon entering the Church, I discovered the performance had already begun, so I gathered up a program and discretely sought out a pew. An audience of approximately 60 spectators had gathered to take in the aural delights of classical guitarists, Eric Cathan and Guiseppe Zangari, for a ‘one night only’ style performance.
Eric and Guiseppe have both been intimately involved in the promotion of classical guitar within Australia for several years, and have toured extensively both domestically and internationally. The program for the 1 ½ hour performance incorporated musical pieces spanning nearly 400 years, celebrating Spanish guitar composition. The distinctly flamenco flavour was evident throughout the performance, its rhythmical staccato fluctuating in intensity. I found myself watching the guitarists fingers dance over the chords with effortless ease and grace, as if the guitars were personified, controlling the music, the guitarists but the conduits by which their instruments expressed their beautiful songs. The poignantly lyrical narrative paying homage to the heroes of the Spanish civil war (No2: El Café de Chinitas), and the lilting harmonies of the wedding song, Romance, composed by Richard Charlton, a close friend of Eric and Guiseppe, were the standout performances of the evening for me.
If you were not lucky enough to have attended Saturday’s performance, do not despair, Eric Cathan and Guiseppe Zangari will be accompanied by Rafael Andia and Claire Sananikone in the Alhambra Guitar Quartet in a tour entitled‘The Guitars of Picasso’. The quartet will be supported by the voice of Leigh Collins and a multimedia projection of the works of Picasso, to be held at the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery, Thursday 31 July 2008 at 7:30pm. Bookings can be made by phoning 1300 438 849 or online at www.moshtix.com.au.
Additional information in regard to the Alhambra Quartet and The Guitars of Picasso Tour is available at www.guitarsofpicasso.com.au.
