Rhythm Technique Melody Harmony Repertoire Improvisation Shop Rhythm Technique Melody Harmony Repertoire Improvisation Performance CONTACT TUITION PUBLICATIONS RECORDINGS PERFORMANCES BIOGRAPHY SITE MAP Acts Classical Guitar and Strings The Whole jazz - Jazz Guitar Peter Inglis - BIOGRAPHY HOME PAGE - www.thewholeguitarist.com Acts - SOLO Guitar

Kazuhito Yamashita

Kazuhito Yamashita Just as Franz Liszt created new repertoire and technique for the piano by transcribing Symphonies and Operas and then developing new techniques with which to play them, Kazuhito Yamashita took a similar path in the early 1980's and so revolutionised the world of possibilities on the guitar.

By transcribing well known pieces of orchestral music for solo guitar he has encouraged a trend which could make classical guitar much more appealing and accessible to concert programmers and the general concert going audience.

Before you read on, check out these videos of Yamashita in performance:



Live in Canada 1984

Live in Canada - Encore piece - La Boda de Luis Alonso (Intermedio)

George A. Pepper's impressions of Kazuhito Yamashita's performance at the 1989 Texas GFA concert.

Other videos

(videos courtesy of http://www.youtube.com)
There are many new videos at http://www.youtube.com and http://video.google.com - search for Yamashita.

Arrangements and Transcriptions

He has realised the idea of guitar as a "small orchestra" more literally and vividly than anyone before. The training as an "orchestral guitarist" began with his father Toru Yamashita, founder of the Nagasaki Guitar Orchestra.

Kazuhito Yamashita plays "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Mussorgsky Click here to read about Kazuhito Yamashita's arrangement of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition"
"Pictures at an Exhibition" by Mussorgsky

Kazuhito Yamashita plays the Bach Violin/Lute suites, BWV 1001 - 1006 (2004)
Bach BWV 1001-1006 - Solo Violin/Lute suites

Click here to read about Kazuhito Yamashita's arrangement of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Op.61
Click here to read about Kazuhito Yamashita's arrangement of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Op.61

Truly these transcriptions should have shaken up the world of guitar pedagogy, but this apparently didn't happen. I know they shook up my world, turned me upside down and forced me to reassess my whole approach to the instrument. In fact a good part of the sleeve notes to my 2005 CD "Late Night Lovers" is devoted to this.

The Yamashita Chronicles by Matanya Ophee - is a must read - these articles describe Yamashita's first appearances in the West and the subsequent politics which have probably prevented his wider recognition.



My thoughts on some of Yamashita's Guitar Techniques



Bio

1961 Born in Nagasaki.

Studied guitar under Toru Yamashita, Kojiro Kobune, J. Thomas, Narciso Yepes, Andres Segovia, Toru Takemitsu.

Member of the Nagasaki Guitar Ensemble.

Recordings

He has released over 60 CD's!

A true virtuoso in the "big sense" he has a huge repertoire which he performs both effortlessly and musically. He has recorded all the Guitar works of Sor, Giuliani, Ponce and most of the standard Classical guitar repertoire. Click here to look at some recordings by Kazuhito Yamashita

Links on the www

Back to repertoire

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT ADVERTISING IN THIS SPACE
'Guitar Playing and How it Works' - The 3rd Edition of this acclaimed book opens doors to musical performance for guitarists of all styles - Click here to read excerpts and order your copy.

'Guitar Playing and how it works' - This is the book you need to GET THE BASICS right for ANY style of guitar playing. Work out the best approaches to mastering any style of music. Open the doors to your own personal style - click here to read excerpts and see videos.



Content of "The Whole Guitarist" website www.thewholeguitarist.com is copyright © 2004 - 2007 by Peter Inglis, Sydney Australia. All rights reserved.