Francisco Tárrega - Gran Jota by Ahsen Mehovic
Francisco Tárrega took advantage of a new attitude towards guitar and he is often called the father of the classical guitar. He wrote for guitar in the traditional styles of his native Spain. His music was also populised and permeated by folk feeling so he left behind him a great Gran Jota in which guitar sings in many different ways.
The Gran Jota is a traditional dance, it is spectacular, it's a showcase of techniques and it's got that Spanish flavour. It's a party piece, often compared with Paganini´s 24th Caprice.
It starts with slow introduction, following a theme and variations. The variations illustrating the virtuosity of playing on the guitar; there are slipping and sliding tehniques around with the long and short glissandos. There are the fife, tambora and the music box effect where left hand only combined with right hand harmonics. And finally at the end the tremolo.
Lukas Giefing, guitar luthier
Produced by DH
Recorded in Vienna (A) 2018