Solo classical guitar work by Brazilian composer, Heitor Villa- Lobos (1887-1959)

Prelude #1 by Heitor Villa Lobos

Solo work for guitar by Venezuelan composer, Antonio Lauro (1917-1986)

Valse #2

From "Canciones populares mexicanas", for Solo guitar by Manuel Ponce (1882-1948)

Por Ti Mi Corazon

Work for solo Guitar by Spanish composer, Joaquin Turina (1882-1949)

Ráfaga

A popular, beautiful barcarole. By the Great Paraguayan guitarist /composer Agustín Barrios (1885 –1944)

Julia Florida (Barcarola)

Mvt. III, from La Catedral . By the Great Paraguayan guitarist /composer Agustín Barrios (1885 –1944)

La Catedral - Allegro Solemne

An audio Ofrenda in honor of Dia de los Muertos. Original composition for 3 guitars and Narrators. Narration on the life of Carmen Reyes-Rangel. Narration written by Maria del Carmen Rangel-Vazquez with remembrances written by the Grandchildren of Carmen "Lita" Reyes-Rangel. Performed by Steve Vazquez-guitars, Myrna Vazquez, Steve Vazquez, Mariola Kosinski, and Camilla Vazquez-Narrators and voices.
Cover illustration by Jennifer and Eric Masi.

Variation's On Lita's Favorite Song

Planctus Performers Notes

Planctus has been composed as a lament not for one person, but for many. It was born during a time in my life when I was experiencing the passing of many family members, friends, colleagues, and even students. The piece has a little bit of all of them. It is an allegorical account of the many stages of grieving; different as they may be for everyone, yet universal. Shock, denial, avoidance, depression, suppression, conflict, resolution, evolving to acceptance, and finally, Peace.

Compositionally, the piece can be divided into three main sections, each having its own tonal center. These centers are musically conflicted, obscured, and avoided, until they inevitably must be resolved. The tonal centers are E, D, and finally, G. One could think of it as a giant vi-V-I progression. The organization and development of thematic melodic material is based on two 3-note motives.

These two motives are used in statement, transfer, permutation, variation, and inversion throughout the piece. They are used for much of the harmonic language of the piece as well. 

Sheet Music can be purchased ed at Guitar Chamber Music Press.

https://www.guitarchambermusicpress.com/product/planctus/

Planctus

Steve Vazquez Bio:
Chicago guitarist Steve Vazquez began his love for the guitar at the age of eleven. Self- taught throughout high school, Steve began his classical guitar studies under Steve Suvada at William Rainey Harper College. He went on for further study with Mark Maxwell at DePaul University (B.M. ‘91) and Anne Waller at Northwestern University (M.M. ‘94). He has played in Master classes for Sergio and Odair Assad, Oscar Ghiglia, Stepan Rak, Paul O’Dette, David Starobin, Dusan Bogdanovic and more.

Steve was a 1996 Chicago Artists International Program award recipient. This allowed him to study with the groundbreaking, great Czech guitarist/composer Stepan Rak in Prague and Chicago. Steve has since performed throughout the Midwest and Chicago area with The Chicago Guitar Quartet, Chicago Guitar Camerata, Elgin Opera, Harper Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Español, Continental String Ensemble, Torosian-Vazquez Duo, Harper Guitar Legacy, plus many other solo and chamber performances. His diverse classical repertoire spans from music of the Renaissance to modern works, including his own compositions. His original work for solo guitar, Planctus, is now available through Guitar Chamber Music Press publications. Steve is also currently rocking with his indie/underground band Blue Eyed Jesus, Santana-tribute band Soul Sacrifice, and has played with Woolworthy, Thing 3, and more.

His numerous Chicago appearances have included the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, The Fourth Presbyterian Church Noonday Series, The Old Town School of Folk Music, Harris Theater, Hothouse, The Metro, Double Door, The Empty Bottle and Reggie’s Rock Club. Steve has been heard on WFMT, WXRT, WBEZ, Q101, WNUR, Radio Arte and more airwaves across the US and Europe. 

Steve is on the faculties of Elmhurst University, where he teaches Guitar Studio, Ensembles, and Guitar Techniques for Music Education, and of William Rainey Harper College, where he teaches Guitar Studio, Class Guitar and is the Guitar Ensemble Director. Many of his students have won awards in many competitions, including the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Competition, The Wilson Center Guitar Competition and Society of American Musicians competition. Many have been awarded generous scholarships and now have professional careers of their own.  Steve also maintains an exclusive, invitation only private studio.

Steve Vazquez Music

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