Process

My arrangements are like solving a puzzle, finding the mystery within the pieces. Initially, I am intrigued by a turn of melodic phrase, rhythm, or unique harmony of a musical work, and how they weave together. I then aim to understand a piece’s adaptability to solo guitar. Through many improvisations and revisions an arrangement takes shape, usually simplifying to keep it ergonomic while hopefully distilling the essence of the original. Some remain more faithful to the originals while others explore a more free arrangement, opening the path toward composition. My Gismonti pieces are closer to transcriptions of the original guitar works, while my arrangements of great songs from the 60’s to the 90’s lie somewhere between classical, folk, and world music.

“It does not matter if fast or slow, but that they make you go somewhere during the interpretation, it touches something. The music has the power but you have to know what you are doing in order to touch the power.” – Egberto Gismonti