Larry Snitzler: Home
Hello and welcome!
Not too long ago I was playing a piece for a student. After I finished, there was a long silence before he said to me, “It’s amazing! While I was listening to you, I suddenly remembered the first time I ever heard the guitar, and then I was reliving that moment. I could see the light of the afternoon sun and feel the breeze coming through the window in front of me. It’s like I was there!”
It is precisely that ability of the guitar to evoke and even invoke other times and other places, which draws people to it. I, too, remember the first time I ever heard the guitar. As I stood before the loudspeaker, listening to a recording of Andrés Segovia, I felt I was recalling experiences I’d never had and seeing places I didn’t know existed! Filled with the beauty of the music, I was also seized by a nostalgia of great poignancy; for what, or for whom, I did not know. I felt my life had changed, and I was right! Within a few days I had purchased a guitar and I’ve been playing ever since. Yet, after all these years, I love the guitar and music more than ever.
It is my joy to share that love with others. Here at larrysnitzler.com, you'll be able to learn about my latest musical activities; upcoming performances, recent recordings, etc. I'll also be including some music samples, a bio, reviews, photos and links to the websites of friends, along with other websites I find useful or interesting. There will also be a section called “Guitar Notebook”, where I’ll jot down some ideas about the guitar that have been useful to me, or to my students. Finally, there will be a section called "La muse s'amuse", where I’ll share some ideas of a more general nature, that have come to me at various times and in various places. Eventually, there will be pages in French, Spanish and Catalan. Enjoy!
By the way, this website is a work in progress! Not all the sections mentioned above are available yet. The truth is, I’d love to have several weeks more to prepare this site before going online. However, when I played in Paris in May, the program stated larrysnitzler.com would be up and running on July 1, so here we are! Oh, and please sign in at my guestbook, I’d love to hear from you.
1 July 2006
Cincinnati, Yes!
- October 23, 2007
I’m delighted to announce that Clare Callahan, Chair of the Guitar Department of the Cincinatti Conservatory of Music, has invited me back to participate for next summer, to participate in the 24th CCM Classical Guitar Workshop. It’s too early to say exactly what I’ll be doing, but it will undoubtedly be a mix of performance, teaching and my special “Form & Analysis for Performers” presentations , that I love to offer. Check the calendar for dates and contact info.
Lyceum Date Change-Yet Again !
- October 22, 2007
Please Note
Due to injury, the date for my Lyceum recital has been put forward to Friday, May 2, 2008, at 8:00pm.
The injury was to my right thumb, but not to worry! After an intensive course of physical therapy, I’m back at it and doing better than ever, though I went through a couple of scary weeks, I can tell you. While I’m practicing and playing well again, there was enough of an interruption to my routine, that I simply need more time to put my repertoire back together. I could have rescheduled for earlier than next May, but this way I have time to work on some other projects, which I’ll be letting you know about a bit later.
Meanwhile, don’t forget I’ll be playing Guastavino’s "Las Presencias", for guitar and string quartet, with the Lake String Quartet in Fairfax, VA, on March 30, 2008. Check the Calendar for venue and time.
June Update
- June 18, 2007
Okay! Here are dates for Cincinatti and some other info about what I'm doing this summer.
SUMMER FUN I
The Cincinatti Conservatory of Music Guitar Workshop opens July 23 and lasts through the 29th. On Tuesday, the 24th, at 1:30pm, I'll play Sor's Andante Largo, Op. 5, No. 5; then we'll look into how the piece is structured and how that might influence both the way you practice it & especially the way you perform it. On Thursday, July 26, I'll do the same thing for two pieces from Moreno-Torroba's "Castles of Spain": Torija, & Manzanares. These are all beautiful pieces. Come by to hear them and, with any luck, you'll walk away having learned something useful, as well!
The virtuoso Chilean guitarist, Carlos Perez and the remarkable scholar/guitarist, Stanley Yates, will be featured this year, which marks the 23rd incarnation of this festival, under the direction of the unstoppable Clare Callahan. Don't miss it: they must be doing something right!
SUMMER FUN II
Jazz guitarist Rick Whithead, & I have begun rehearsing together. We're having a great time exploring everything from Bach to Bossa-Nova, blues to jazz standards. I'll let you know as soon as we've put a program together and decide to take it on the road. (Go to my "links" page to navigate to his web page.)
SUMMER FUN III
I begin recording a new CD in July. There will be works by Sor, de Murcia, Weiss, Manén, and Turina, among others. More later.
Thanks for coming by.