My first performance practice research project aimed to play the music of François de Fossa and Dioniso Aguado with the intention of representing the influence of Spanish music in the first half of the 19th century. Between the two guitarists, the intention was to explore virtuosity by increasing and improving the technical possibilities of the guitar.
If I have to describe “La chitarra virtuosa” in three words they wold be virtuosity, travel and iberism.
Virtuosity is a word that describes someone with uncommon technical skills. Infact there was this intention to this characteristic through the guitar. Which rapresents a new instrument that can best express the potential of the individual.
The travel for two reason: because it’s a journey through time, and part of my research is to immerse myself in the 19th century and generally understand how they thought. The other is because travel characterises de Fossa’s live, as he was therefore destined for a military career and forced into exile for many years, fighting for the Spanish army.
Spain infact links the last aspect, iberism. Infact de Fossa has been in contact with Spanish culture for a long time, being fascinated and influenced him in his music. Moreover, his friendship and collaboration with Dioniso Aguado extended this idea.
SAMUELE PROVENZI 