János Gáspár Mertz (Casparus Josephus Mertz) was born in Pozsony, Kingdom of Hungary, now Bratislava (Slovakia). He was active in Vienna (c.1840~1856), which had been home to various prominent figures of the guitar, including Anton Diabelli, Mauro Giuliani, Wenceslaus Matiegka and Simon Franz Molitor. A virtuoso, he established a solid reputation as a performer. He toured Moravia, Poland, and Russia, and gave performances in Berlin and Dresden. In 1846 Mertz nearly died of an overdose of strychnine that had been prescribed to him as a treatment for neuralgia. Over the following year he was nursed back to health in the presence his wife, a concert pianist, Josephine Plantin whom he married in 1842. Some speculation may lead one to the conclusion that listening to his wife performing the Romantic piano pieces of the day during his period of recovery may have had an influence on the sound and unusual right hand technique he adopted for the Bardenklange (Bardic Sounds) Op.13.
Mertz's guitar music, unlike that of most of his contemporaries, followed the pianistic models of Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Schumann, rather than the classical models of Mozart and Haydn (as did Sor and Aguado), or the bel canto style of Rossini (as did Giuliani).
The Bardenklänge (1847) are probably Mertz's most important contribution to the guitar repertoire—a series of deceptively easy character pieces in the mould of Schumann.

Bardenklange, II.  Fingals Cave

Jose Broca was a Spanish composer, 1805 - 1882. According to Fred Noad, Broca was a student of Aguado but mostly self-taught. He was established in Barcelona and renown for his playing of works by Sor and Aguado. He was a friend of Julian Arcas and the teacher of Jose Ferrer. Broca's works are elegant pieces in a similar style to Tarrega, but written much earlier.

Vals En Mi

El Catalan

Alonso Mudarra (c. 1510 – April 1, 1580) was a Spanish composer and vihuelist of the Renaissance. He was an innovative composer of instrumental music as well as songs, and was the composer of the earliest surviving music for the guitar.

Fantasia de pasos de contado

Luigi Rinaldo Legnani (7 November 1790 – 5 August 1877) was an Italian guitarist, singer, composer and luthier.

Caprice No. 4

Gaspar Sanz (1640–1710) was an Aragonese composer, guitarist, organist and priest born to a wealthy family in Calanda in the comarca of Bajo Aragón, Spain. He studied music, theology and philosophy at the University of Salamanca, where he was later appointed Professor of Music. He wrote three volumes of pedagogical works for the baroque guitar that form an important part of today's classical guitar repertory and have informed modern scholars in the techniques of baroque guitar playing.

Pavane, Gaspar Sanz (1640–1710)

Classical guitar music from the Romantic era composed by Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806-1856) played by Bob Bozonelos.

26 Bardenklange, Op. 13. I.  Capriccio

Soleares is one of the most basic forms or palos of Flamenco music, probably originated around Cádiz or Seville in Andalusia, the most southern region of Spain. Soleares is sometimes called "mother of palos" although it is not the oldest one (e.g. siguiriyas is older than soleares) and not even related to every other palo (e.g. fandangos family is from a different origin)

Soleares

Cancion and Bolero features the dynamic playing of Michelle Tottin on flute and Bob Bozonelos on guitar. This beautiful piece from Spain exchanges melodies to the gentle pulse of rhythms they both create. The Cancion presents the “song” and the Bolero the "dance" as a fast dance in triple meter.

Cancion and Bolero

Francisco de Asís Tárrega y Eixea (21 November 1852 – 15 December 1909) was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist of the Romantic period. He is known for such pieces as Recuerdos de la Alhambra. He is often called "the father of classical guitar" and is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time

Capricho Arabe

Luis de Narváez (fl. 1526–49) was a Spanish composer and vihuelist. Highly regarded during his lifetime, Narváez is known today for Los seys libros del delphín, a collection of polyphonic music for the vihuela which includes the earliest known variation sets. He is also notable for being the earliest composer for vihuela to adapt the contemporary Italian style of lute music.

Diferencias de guarde me las vacas, Luis de Narvaez 1526-49

Bob Bozonelos holds a B.A. in Guitar Performance from California State San Bernardino where he studied with Stuart Green, and a M.F.A. in Guitar Performance from the University of California Irvine where he studied with John Schneiderman. Bob has privately studied jazz guitar with artists such as Jody Fisher and David Oakes. Bob is also versatile in the field of audio and recording technology. He is certified in Pro Tools Recording Software and specializes in recording acoustic guitar. In regards to Bob’s teaching capacities, his areas of guitar instruction include: Popular Guitar Instruction, Renaissance and Romantic Guitar, and Greek Folk Music.

Bob is in demand as a free-lance guitarist having performed with the Inland Valley Chamber Orchestra, and has performed in many concerts in the area including performances with the faculty at Mt. San Jacinto Colleges and performances for the Arts Council of Temecula and the city of Hemet. Bob is a versatile instructor. He has many years of teaching experience in both private and public educational systems.

Bob has been noted as an educator who has the patience and confidence to assist students find their musical creativity. His breadth of knowledge is vast and complements his approach to guiding those seeking to learn the “art” of music.

As part of his collective teaching experiences, Bob has also contributed in various administrative and academic endeavors. He has proposed and passed curriculum for the MSJC school district, and served on the Academic Senate as an Associate Faculty Representative.

Prior to moving into post-secondary education in 2004, Bob enjoyed a number of years in the private sector working for various charter schools as an approved vendor for music education. During that time, Bob also owned and operated his own studio in Old Town Temecula, CA.

Bob enjoys spending time with students and colleagues and believes that his greatest asset is his ability to listen. He enjoys working within teams and believes in the idea of building shared visions and aligning his self with those who are committed to excellence.

Bob Bozonelos

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