This is a sneak peek from my debut album, Classical's Cool! (www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ryanwalsh. This is an innovative project I've undertaken with a good friend from Sweden, my fabulous co-producer, sound engineer (CrossCorp Productions) and classical guitarist, Christopher Fossto (www.fossto.com). The goal was to create an authentic sound which reflects both the beautiful perfections and IMperfections of the instrument, which we agree is so alive and rich in its expressiveness. We hope that, while listening to this album, you feel you are right in the room with us. I'm proud to present my debut album, Classical's Cool!

Prelude for Cello Suite BWV 1007, J.S. Bach, Ryan Walsh

This is a version of Carinhoso Gabby and I performed live at the Old Church in downtown Portland. This has to be one of my all-time favorite songs.

CARINHOSO - Gabriella Gutierrez-Reed and Ryan Walsh

Granada - Isaac Albeniz

La Paloma - Sebastian Iradier

Adelita - Francisco Tarrega

Etude 17 - Fernando Sor

Improvised Interlude II - Ryan Walsh

Julia Florida - Agustin Barrios

La Catedral - Preludio - Agustin Barrios

La Catedral - Allegro Solemne - Agustin Barrios

Preludio en do menor - Agustin Barrios

Mazurka Choro - Heitor Villa-Lobos

Epilogue - Ryan Walsh

Romance de los pinos - Federico Torroba

ASturias, otherwise known as Leyenda, by Spanish composer, Isaac Albeniz, undoubtedly one of the greatest composers in Spain's history. This piece was originally written for Piano, but it is the version for guitar which is most well known. 

Asturias (Live Recording)

One of Leo Brouwer's Brilliant guitar studies. When I heard this in concert it immediately became my favorite of the collection. It was designed to practiced the ligados, but stands apart as a study for its singular, haunting beauty.

Etude 17 (Live Recording)

Another of Brouwer's timeless guitar studies. This piece is known for its impressive left hand virtuosity. A fun piece to perform and to listen to.

Etude 20 (Live Recording)

Three pieces selected from Bach's first Cello suite. These are the prelude, courante and the two minuets. They are all (very old) dances, so it can be interesting to imagine them as such. This was what could be called the Pop Music of the Baroque era!

BWV 1007  Prelude, Courante, Minuets (Live Recording)

A beautiful and haunting melody from one of France's great composers, Eric Satie. While this piece is simple, it also has a great deal of emotional depth and it is the transmission of this that makes it so challenging to play, as with many of Satie's pieces. 

Gnossienne no.1 - Erik Satie - Classical Guitar (Live)

A beautiful and haunting melody from one of France's great composers, Erik Satie. While this piece is simple, it also has a great deal of emotional depth and it is the transmission of this that makes it so challenging to play, as with many of Satie's pieces.

Gymnopedie no.1 - Erik Satie - Classical Guitar

Gymnopedie no.3, a beautiful and haunting melody from one of France's great composers, Erik Satie. While this piece is simple, it also has a great deal of emotional depth and it is the transmission of this that makes it so challenging to play, as with many of Satie's pieces.

Gymnopedie no.3 - Erik Satie - Classical Guitar

An unusual and lively piece by one of South America's greats, Antonio Lauro. I have always been drawn to his organic and flowing style of music, and find great inspiration in my own compositions from his work. This piece, entitled "Register", was written to evoke the sound of an orchestra tuning its instruments before a show. 

Registro - Antonio Lauro - Classical Guitar

A timeless folk piece popularized on classical guitar, this tune evokes distant and mysterious images of the old spanish countryside. A staple of any classical guitarists repertoire and a good piece to begin or end a program with. 

Spanish Romance (Romance Anonimo) - Classical Guitar

pre-order my debut album today @ www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ryanwalsh

Upon graduating from the University of Oregon, I decided to follow the call of my long-time passion, the classical guitar. I bought a plane ticket to Spain, birthplace of the instrument and home to a rich and ancient musical tradition. After several years studying alongside some of the world’s finest and honing my performance skills, I began to hear a different call—that of my own roots, the Pacific Northwest—and knew it was time to continue my travels. Although I have now returned home, my journey with the classical guitar has in no way come to an end. I am looking forward to sharing the beautiful, mysterious, and intensely intimate music I have discovered during my years abroad here on my native soil.

Whether you believe in fate or not, from the very first moments in Spain, it seemed something greater than chance was guiding me toward the guitar. No sooner than checking into my hotel did I run into Ricardo Gallen, arguably the world’s greatest, living classical guitarist. That evening I was personally invited to a small, private concert of his, and introduced to many in his social circle. This set me upon a path that would eventually lead me to Seville’s Conservatorio Superior, renowned for its classical guitar program.

There I received an education second to none. But I was never content to limit my training to the purely academic. I continually looked to the listening public for new challenges, and performed in some unforgettable venues, such as ARCO’s closing ceremonies, The Cathedral of Valladolid, and numerous restaurants and special events. During my summers home I have also given various concerts and played at weddings and fine dining establishments, such as Astoria’s Bridgewater Bistro. Since being home I have performed, as a solo artist, at Astoria’s famed Liberty Theater. And I currently play at Andina, consistently ranked among Portland’s finest restaurants. These experiences, over the years, have helped me build a vast and varied repertoire as well as great confidence in my ability to relate to the public as an instrumentalist. 


In my playing, I regard beauty and elegance above all else. I am a staunch perfectionist in my interpretation and work tirelessly on the guitar and over the sheet music to evoke the composer’s spirit and breath life into each and every note. But all talk and merits aside, the only way to truly appreciate music is by letting it speak for itself. I am excited to let it do just that here in the Pacific Northwest.  

Repertoire

My repertoire is exceptionally wide and varied, and has been cultivated over the last several years on the sole criteria of beauty. It includes, but is not limited to, a large variety of both Spanish and South American composers, such as Albéniz, Tárrega, Granados, Sor, Villa-Lobos, Barrios, and Lauro. I also perform some more modern and contemporary composers such as Roland Dyens and Leo Brouwer. Other notable composers I interpret include, J.S. Bach, Scarlatti, Eric Satie, Johann Mertz, Joaquin Malats, Stanley Meyers (The timeless Deer Hunter theme song, Cavatina) Mozart, Aguado, and last but not least, several of my own pieces. The great majority of the pieces I play are amenable in a wide variety of settings, from weddings to dinner music to formal concerts.

Outstanding Concerts

Liberty Theater (March 2013)
The Cathedral of Valladolid. Winter Concert Series, (2012)
The Cathedral of Valladolid. Museum Night, (2012)
Café España (editions I, II and III). Valladolid, Spain (2011-2012)
El Perro Andalúz. Seville, Spain, 2010
ARCO (International Contemporary Art Festival). Madrid, Spain (2010)
Spanish Guitar (Editions I and II). El Olvidadero, Valladolid, Spain (2009)
Hollywood Center (Editions I, II and III). Portland, Oregon (2009, ’10, ’11)
Blue Scorcher Summer Music Festival. Astoria, Oregon (2009)
Performing Arts Center (Editions I, II and III). Astoria, Oregon. (2007, ’08, ’09)

Dinner Music

T. Paul’s Urban Café. Astoria, Oregon: Classical guitar and piano (2002 - present) 
Supper Club, Astoria. Oregon: Classical guitar (2009 - present) 
Bridgewater Bistro. Astoria, Oregon: Classical guitar (2009 - present) 
Yummy Wine and Bar Bistro. Seaside, Oregon: Classical guitar (2008) 
San Marco. Seville, Spain: Classical guitar (2009 - 2011) 
El Contenador. Seville, Spain (2009-2011)
La Cueva. Seville, Spain: Classical guitar (2009 - 2010) 
Milagritos. Seville, Spain: Classical guitar (2009 - 2010) 
El Berlin. Valladolid, Spain: Classical guitar (2008)

Special Events

Art Gallery Exposition Inauguration. The Calderon Theater, Valladolid, Spain (2008) 
Art Gallery Exposition Inauguration. The Coello Gallery, Valladolid (2008) 
New Year’s Eve dinner. La Taberna del Alabardero, Seville, Spain (2009) 
Cameron Diaz’s birthday party, Spanish guitar. Seville, Spain (2010)
Mala Uva, beer tasting. Valladolid, Spain (2012)


Education (Classical Guitar)

Conservatorio Superior de Música Manuel Castillo, Seville, Spain. (2009-2011) 
Valladolid, Spain: private lessons, Gracia María Gil Martín and José María Fuentes, graduates of Conservatorio Superior de Música Manuel Castillo (2007-2009)
University of Oregon: classical guitar, David Case (2003-2007)
Clatsop Community College: jazz, blues, folk and classical guitar, Dave Drury (2002)

Contact: I can be reached via email at ryanwalshguitar@gmail.com, or by phone at 503 440 8329.



Ryan T. Walsh Guitar

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