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The works of Ida Presti for two guitars (world premiere recording)
IDA PRESTI – 12 duos for guitar: Tarantelle · Sérénade · Valse de l'An noveau · Étude fantasque · Danse Gitane · La Hongroise · Danse d´Avila · Prélude · Bagatelle · Espagne · Étude no. I · Berceuse à ma mère
Stein-Erik Olsen, guitar · Olivier Chassain, guitar
Recorded on the Bouchet guitars of the Presti/Lagoya duo
PSC1289 |
Ida Presti world premiere recording
Ida Presti was admired by Django Reinhardt, and together with Alexander Lagoya she formed the foremost guitar duo of all times. This is the world premiere recording of Ida Prestis compositions, a truly momentous achievement by the guitarists Olivier Chassain and Stein-Erik Olsen.
The name of Ida Presti (1924–67) holds more than a touch of magic for guitar enthusiasts all over the world. With her stunning musicality, unsurpassed technique and sensational art of improvisation she was the princess of the guitar. She composed a number of works for the duo she had together with Lagoya. This music has not been available until the French guitarist and Professor of the Music Conservatory in Paris, Olivier Chassain, in cooperation with Norwegian guitarist and Professor of the Grieg Academy, Stein-Erik Olsen, now have reconstructed these works for recording and publishing.
Wunderkind and world fame
Presti made her debut as a guitarist at the early age of 10, both in concert and on record, and was a successful solo artist immediately. The only tuition she ever received she got from her father, who passed away when Ida was only 14 years old. In 1952 Ida and Alexander began their co-existence, both musically and private. Ida’s nature was at the same time moody and profound, dreamy and fiery, playful and melancholic, impassioned and mutinous, with an incarnate and highly spiritual temperament: All traits of personality that are easily heard in her music.
From wonderful improvisations to heartfelt compositions
Very modest on behalf of her own compositional work, Presti herself stated: “I do absolutely not claim to be a composer, simply a guitarist writing for her instrument”. These works grew out of improvisations; in fact she was hesitant of ever writing the music down. When we hear the music today, what strikes us is a rare melodic gift, generously disposed through these 12 character pieces.
Recorded on the instruments of Presti/Lagoya
The Presti family have kept the manuscripts for these compositions unpublished until now. Olivier Chassain and Stein-Erik Olsen are both students of Alexander Lagoya, and it is their painstaking work that has made it possible to bring this music out again. As an important extra bonus, Chassain and Olsen have been allowed to use the fantastic Bouchet guitars, built especially for Presti/Lagoya, when making this recording. Musée de la Musique in Paris hosted the recording sessions.
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Chassain, Olivier (guitar)
Olsen, Stein-Erik (guitar)
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