The 13th annual Guitar Fest came to an end with a faculty recital featuring David Bryan.
The Department of Fine and Performing Arts hosted the recital with the purpose of promoting classical guitar and classical music as well as displaying faculty talents. The event was held Monday, April 16 in Ralph R. Pottle Auditorium.
“The guitar festival was a great chance for the students at SLU and the community to enjoy music performed on the guitar,” said Bryan. “One thing that makes it so unique is that the classical guitar is highlighted. Most people are very familiar with the guitar, but not classical music performed on the guitar.”
Bryan began the recital with a performance of the Prelude from “Suite No. 1, BWV 1007” by Gaspar Sanz (1640-1710). The stage setup was simplistic with nothing more than a chair and a guitar center stage.
“The setup was what’s normal for a solo classical guitar recital, but it’s very intimate,” said Bryan. “It’s good and it’s bad. Good, because I don’t have to worry about anything. You can go into your own little thing and connect with everyone. It’s also very hard because it’s just you and it’s very quiet. You have to concentrate so hard.”
The program included a selection of various classical pieces from composers such as Johan Sebastian Bach and Torroba, an alumni and lecturer of guitar who performed a variety of classical pieces for an equally variable audience.
Patrick Kerber, instructor of guitar, composed an original piece for the recital in honor of his past instructor, professor James Smith.
After playing five pieces solo, Bryan was joined on stage by saxophonist Zakkary Garner for a performance of the Aria/Cantilena from “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5” written by Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) and arranged by Bryan and Garner.
The music chosen and the gentle fashion in which it was performed lent a soft and melodious vibe to the recital.
“I thought it was ravishing. It was a stupendous journey of the mind, spirit and soul. I was utterly captivated to listen more and more,” said Kyle Berry, a senior French and biology major. “I just couldn’t peel myself away from it. It had a nice classical and mellow tone that’s going to help me sleep nicely tonight.”
Following the duet with Garner, Bryan performed two pieces with Kerber including three movements from “Sonatina LA-L.A.” written by Kerber.
“The performance was fantabulous. Who doesn’t love the soothing sounds of the guitar, the type of melody that can put you to sleep?” said Bradley Heath, a junior psychology major. “It was beautiful. The performers were really into the music. You could tell by their body language when they were playing.”
The recital ended with a seven-movement song entitled “Canciones Populares Espanolas,” written by Manuel de Falla (1876-1946), arranged by Kerber and performed by Bryan and Kerber with the addition of Bryan’s wife, Jessica Bryan, soprano.
“I honestly like the classical music period on the guitar. I thought it was all really good,” said Jimmy Borders of Slidell. “They were excellent because they knew how to play and they put a lot of time and practice into what they were doing. It was awesome.”