The Hereford Times

Guitar virtuoso

1:16pm Friday 2nd May 2008

CRAIG Ogden is a name to rank alongside Segovia, John Williams and Julian Bream in the hierarchy of classical guitarists.

His recital at The Courtyard on Thursday was a phenomenal demonstration of virtuoso technique and contrasting styles.

Beginning with two lute pieces by Dowland, Ogden explained to the audience how Renaissance lute music could be performed on a modern guitar by making certain adjustments to the strings; and he compensated for the shortage of guitar music in the Classical era by playing Fernando Sor’s ingenious Variations on a Theme by Mozart and a Grand Overture by Mauro Giuliani.

Three pieces by the Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos were supreme examples of both the composer’s astonishing inventiveness and of the player’s technical assurance; both here and in three Piazzolla tangos the textures of piano music and the orchestral score were brought to mind. From the present century we heard a Habanera by Paul Coles and an Eisteddfod prize-winning piece by Wyn Pearson.

A welcome feature of Ogden’s presentation was the always interesting information he imparted about his two instruments.