From Jazz etudes to Antonio Soler to 'Down by the Races' to the Fantastic Mr. Felix ......
From Jazz etudes to Antonio Soler to 'Down by the Races' to the Fantastic Mr. Felix ......
Robin Hill’s ‘Eclectic City’ - Episode 34
Opening music: ‘Etude #15’ composed and performed by Robin Hill.
Hello, this is Robin Hill and welcome to Episode 34 of ‘Eclectic City’.
The music you’ve just heard was ‘Etude #15’ from a set of twenty etudes I composed last year for solo guitar…I couldn’t resist adding a bit of bass and drums on that recording!
Well these etudes are designed to challenge the technique but also, most importantly, to be fun to play…….which is basically what was intended with the next piece by the Spanish composer and keyboard virtuoso, Antonio Soler.
Soler was born in 1730 in Catalonia. He became a pupil of the Italian composer and keyboard legend, Domenico Scarlatti, whose musical influences can be heard in Soler’s works.
In Madrid, in 1753, he was appointed music teacher to the infant Don Gabriel who was the son of King Carlos III.
Soler produced around 150 keyboard sonatas and some of them were for his young protégée, Don Gabriel’s, education.
I always feel that history has not been kind to Soler and that his compositions should be better known as they are of the highest quality.
Here is his ‘Sonata No.5’ from an album consisting entirely of Soler sonatas which I recorded with Peter Wiltschinsky.
The guitars on this recording were made by the eminent Australian luthier, Greg Smallman.
MUSIC: ‘Sonata No.5’ by Antonio Soler played by Robin Hill & Peter Wiltschinsky
That was ‘Sonata No.5’ by Antonio Soler arranged by PW and performed by myself with Peter Wiltschinsky.
Well, now for something completely different. Well this is ‘Eclectic City’ after all!
The next piece is written and performed by my youngest son, Felix who is 18 years old.
This is his latest release, ‘Down by the Races’ and on it he plays all the instruments, apart from the drums, which are played by Erik Tulissio. Felix also, of course, sings all the vocals.
This is ‘Down by the Races’ by Felix Hill – I hope you enjoy it!
MUSIC: ‘Down by the Races’ – Felix Hill
That was ‘Down by the Races’ by Felix Hill – his latest release.
The next piece was inspired by Felix when he was around ten years old. It is basically an animated conversation between father and son.
When Felix was ten his school football team reached the final of an under 11s FA run competition which culminated at Wembley Stadium!
They won 4 – 1!
This track features many instruments which are all played by me…cajon bongos, triangle, handclaps, charango, bass guitar, guitars, cuica drum, shakers etc…..I play these myself not to show my versatility but merely to save money
Here is the ‘Fantastic Mr. Felix’ from my album, ‘Standing on Air’
MUSIC: ‘Fantastic Mr. Felix’ performed by Robin Hill
That was the ‘Fantastic Mr Felix’ from my album, ‘Standing on Air’. It was inspired by my son, Felix, and on it I was playing my 1963 Manuel Reyes guitar.
If any of you guitarists out there are curious as to how I performed the semiquaver triplets in the middle of that piece, then, you’ll have to buy my book, ‘The Guitar Gymnasium’ Volume 1, there is also now a volume 2, and both are available from SheetMusicPlus.
Well, finally, I am going to play another of the etudes from the set of twenty for electric guitar and this is ‘Etude #10. Thank you for listening and see you all next week.
MUSIC: ‘Etude #10’ composed and performed by Robin Hill.