Guitar Circle Journals

05.06.2009

Vienna/Austria

Today the performance of the Guitar Circle of Vienna at the Schönbrunn Vorpark church, for the traditional “Long Night of the Churches” event.

Until some days ago it was not clear if we would be able to honour our commitment, responsibility and obligation, as one of the circle members was not ready to perform. Then a decision was made, the “go ahead” given and the four of us pulled together to face this challenge.

Working with just the four of us – Heike, Richard, Thomas & Wolfgang – is the challenge, stripping down the pieces to basics, with nowhere to hide, that is, no other players to “pick up the tab”. I embrace this moment as an opportunity to make a leap forward.

Set-List

Calliope
Palace of Mirrors

We have the big auditorium under the church as a green room. I set up a table with some snacks and a bottle of Schnaps to honour this “final” performance. It is a special moment to fill this space with just the four of us, the core group.

Just a few minutes before we are on I decide to change the set-list: I propose we open with an improvised version of ASPIRATION instead of the planned Circulation in C-Harmonic-minor, adding an element of hazard. Everyone agrees to this. In the sacristy, before entering the church space, the first harmonic rings out and we enter the church tuning the air, walking through the aisles of audients, slowly making our way to our seats. I can see Renate in the audience. We sit down playing … and Aspiration unfolds.

I feel this is one of our best performances, a major challenge honourably met. The connection in the team is very good, the audience supportive and into it.

There is a slight “hiccup” during the Three Canons, Heike/Richard playing the melody circulation and Thomas/Wolfgang the bass chord circulation. The melody needs a round to find its’ … melody.

We even perform Calliope as an encore!

Afterwards there is the so called “Agape” where the church community assembles with food & drink. We take our time to socialize.

Then we head for a nearby cafe for a post-concert review. We all agree this was a wonderful experience, once again we could feel a strong support everywhere, in spite of the personal circumstances of some of the team.

Monday 18-MAY-2009

Vienna/Austria

An early beginning and a day at the Raiffeisen bank, near Stadtpark, projecting with new tasks and deadlines.

From work, to a meeting with Karl, the accountant for Theater des Augenblicks, to review the budget and organizational issues for a major international project directed by Gül and a lead team from different countries. I have been asked to take on some overall organizational duties related to the accounting, budgeting and auditing of the project … and I have accepted. Next week the lead team will have a gathering in Vienna and I will need to present some stuff, so, preparations underway.

I spend nearly three hours with Karl. Before I leave he shows me a rehearsal room where he rehearses with a band, and he has a nostalgic Roland Jupiter and … a Korg MS20 … the monophonic synthesizer! I used to owe/play a Korg MS10, very nice!

I get home feeling tired, get busy in the home, a continuous cleaning, arranging, shifting, doing … then guitar practice and some office work. It gets late, as usual.

Received this in my mailbox today, from Heike, some impressions from the SSP2009 … so inspiring.

Impressions SSP2009

Sunday 10-MAY-2009

Vienna/Austria

—– SCHEDULE —–

Morning Off!

11:15 Circle Meeting with Guitars – Callisthenics (No. 16)
12:15 Break
12:30 Circle Meeting with Guitars – Reviewing Repertoire (No. 16)
14:00 Lunch
15:00 Departure for church “Pfarre Reinfdorf”
17:00 Performance in church “Pfarre Reindorf”
19:15 Final Meeting in the Green Room
20:30 Dinner with California Guitar Trio

—–

Today a well-deserved morning off for the whole team. Yesterday was filled to the brim with riches, special encounters, magical moments and … loads of hard work. I arrive at the GCV flat at 10:45. Last minute emails fly out to align today’s activities with various people. At 11:15 we have a full Circle meeting with guitars. We set up the Circle with one extra chair. Callisthenics for one hour with Thomas, then a 15 minute break and after that we begin with reviewing pieces.

Alberto Mesirca arrives and we welcome him to the Circle, this is a special moment indeed. We review the set-list for the church, going through it piece by piece, while aligning and fine-tuning with Alberto. Working our way through the set-list, I ask Alberto to join on various parts and pieces. He picks up parts within seconds, his “hearing” seems to be instantaneous and absolute.

We come to the following set-list for Pfarre Reindorf:

C-Major Circulation
N22
Tango Apasionado (with Alberto)
— Announcement by Heike to introduce Alberto
Eye Of The Needle

Palace of Mirrors (with Alberto)
Aspiration (with Alberto)

Aspiration is a spontaneous call by Roberto Deiana (he had actually meant to say Invocation) and we work out an arrangement very quickly, with Alberto and Richard exchanging solos. Alberto’s second piece is a composition of his own, most beautiful. Initially he is shy about introducing it. I recommend he find a name for the piece and record it. Alberto mentions that he especially loves the Circle piece “Palace of Mirrors”. Funny that Bert mentioned the same yesterday.

Heike and Richard work on the accounts in between, with the aim of completing the financial overview of this performance project and settle money matters with the various people involved.

We head for the church at 15:15 pm, a bit behind schedule. Arriving at the church, encircling to review practicalities and the mechanics of this particular performance. We are on at 17:05 in following seating arrangement (as seen from the audience) from left to right:

Thomas, Suse, Rob Deiana, Rob Duse, Wolfgang, Michele, Heike, Richard, Alberto

Alberto is seated to my left, next to me, so I can cue him regarding pieces. The sound is difficult for us to deal with, the church is very spacious, the sound gets “lost” and it is most difficult to hear the other half of the Circle play, thus causing problems synchronizing the “group pulse”. Nevertheless, the audience is enthousiastic and music is in the air, it is a joyful and privileged moment to share this space with special guest Alberto and the Extended Circle!

Socializing afterwards, friends have come, Martina from the TDA office, Poopak, Renate and my dearest pal Philippe and Elena. The church staff have prepared a lovely buffet. We say goodbye to Alberto who leaves for Italy by train. It was so good having him here.

I ask someone who recorded the performance with a digital TASCAM to kindly delete this file. After some “convincing” from my side, he obliges and deletes the digital file.

19:00 Arrive at GCV flat
19:15 Final Meeting of the Special Spring Project 2009
19:50 Completion of the Special Spring Project 2009!

—

A special dinner with Bert, Hideyo, Paul and the team at the GCV flat. Heike, Richard, Bert and Paul settle accounts before dinner, at No. 16.

—

The project has completed, what a magical week!

Saturday 09-MAY-2009

Vienna/Austria

—– SCHEDULE —–

07:30 Morning Sitting in the Green Room
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Departure for Theater Des Augenblicks (TDA)
10:00 Circle Workshop with California Guitar Trio
12:00 Completion
13:00 Lunch
15:00 Circle Meeting with Guitars at TDA
15:30 Preparations for Performance Event at TDA
19:30 Performance Extended Guitar Circle Of Vienna at TDA
20:15 Performance California Guitar Trio at TDA

—–

The morning is filled with last minute organizational activities for today’s unfolding events. I let go of sitting with the team at GCV home in order to pick up the CGT at their apartment in Vienna’s 1st district. Making my way into town by tram 42, I see Alberto Mesirca waiting for the tram going the other way, heading towards my new home. He just arrived in Vienna by train. We wave at each other!

I pick up the CGT, it’s been a long time since we last met, and we have a short moment to touch base and then speak on today’s activities. We take a taxi to the Theater des Augenblicks, meeting up with the others at around 10:00 am.

The energy is good, as we tune in, introducing the team, settling in. I ask Bert if it is alright if Alberto Mesirca joins us as a special guest, and there is no objection whatsoever. Alberto is a young and talented classical guitarist from Italy, I met him just some months ago, when Gül (director of Theater des Augenblicks) introduced us to each other after a concert of his. There was an immediate resonance, a sharing of a common language that took me by surprise, as we shared a drink and conversation in a café nearby.

Soon Alberto arrives, we invite him to stay and he gladly accepts this offer, witnessing our Circle at work, lending us his ears in an attentive and most supportive way.

Sitting in a circle, the CGT play for us the “Moonlight Sonata”. Bert asks us to play something for them. We play “Palace of Mirrors” and the “The Three Canons” circulation, which the CGT enjoy very much, with some positive feedback! We decide to work on “Blockhead”, splitting into three groups, picking up the various parts of the piece. Afterwards we return to the Circle and play a full group version of “Blockhead” all together.

Alberto joins us in the Circle and Bert invites him to play something for us. He plays a Prelude composed by Mompou, a stunning piece. This is a good moment to complete the Circle Workshop: a positive exchange of music, energies and information.

Circle Workshop!

.

Circle Workshop!

.

Bert & Alberto!

The CGT return to their apartment and we head out for lunch together at the nearby Italian restaurant. After lunch we gather together again at the theater for a Circle with guitars, working on light calllisthenics and reviewing several pieces. Meanwhile, Sandra Prow and her colleague arrive at the theater – having flown in from the UK for this event. They will be helping us out as support team!

We distribute tasks and responsibilities in a short meeting and then everyone gets to work, transforming the theater and the foyer into a welcoming and warm space to enjoy an evening of music. A further support team of three comes in to help us out with the bar and with the ticket-office. Ernst the theater technician arrives and a bit later the CGT. Soundchecks, run throughs, rehearsals … a well organized and contained chaos.

Just before we go on, Bert passes us a glass of red wine from which we all take a sip, to soothe the nerves. At 19:35 Paul Richards announces us and the Extended Guitar Circle Of Vienna is on! We play following set-list:

C-Major Circulation
N22
Tango Apasionado
Eye Of The Needle

Palace Of Mirrors
G-Major Circulation
Asturias

The audience – which includes the members of the CGT – is enthousiastic. Personally I am not satisfied with my own playing, nevertheless there are many good moments, with music appearing. There is a 15 minute break and then the CGT are on, for a superb performance – truly astonishing – and the audience is blown away! Afterwards, moments of socializing, with the musicians, audients and a glass of wine in a relaxed and positive atmosphere.

What a day, one that never seemed to end, full of wonder and surprises, it is difficult to grasp the full meaning of these encounters. And … this team did a great job.

Friday 08-MAY-2009

Vienna/Austria

—– SCHEDULE —–

08:30 Morning Sitting in the Green Room
09:00 Breakfast
10:15 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16)
11:15 Break
11:45 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16)
13:50 Lunch
18:00 Departure for the “Salvation Army Center”
20:00 Performance at “Salvation Army Center”

—–

Awake in the new home, cluttered spaces, partially under construction, with builders coming in early to continue their work. Luckily water and toilet are now available, which makes it possible to stay there.

Head for GCV central at Wolfgang Schmälzl Gasse, arriving just in time for the sitting, today scheduled later than usual, to allow the team to rest.

At 10:15 the callisthenics Circle and after a break we continue with working on various pieces.

Renate has arrived in Vienna this morning, coming from Amsterdam. She will be host and guide for the California Guitar Trio, who are arriving by train in Vienna from Innsbruck at 16:00 pm. Renate will bring them to the apartment, welcomnig them to Vienna. The apartment I found is located in the center of the old part of Vienna, a very nice location, and for a good price. I hear from Renate that all went well with the trio!

Load in and departure at 18:00, I ride with Wolfgang in the car to the Salvation Army Center, where we begin with unloading the gear. Soon the others arrive as well. Stage set-up, recording gear in place. Warm-up and personal practice. Encircle and fine-tune at 19:50. Then we are on at around 20:10 pm.

Following setlist:

C-Major Circulation
N22
Tango Apasionado
Eye Of The Needle

Calliope
Music For A Found Harmonium

There are less people than last time and the playing is not as “free” as it should/could be, but it is a first performance and sometimes more than acceptable, the audience is generous and enthousiastic. Renate is also in the audience. There is some socializing, but I stay downstairs to enjoy the sandwich which our KC Suse has prepared for the road, very tasty and nourishing.

We load in and head back for GCV home. Performance review and we call it a night …

Thursday 07-MAY-2009

Vienna/Austria

—– SCHEDULE —–

07:30 Morning Sitting in the Green Room
08:00 Breakfast
09:30 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16) – Callisthenics with Thomas
13:00 Lunch
14:15 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16)
15:40 Break
16:00 Small Group Meetings
19:00 Dinner
21:00 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16)

—–

16:30 Appointment at Theater des Augenblicks

Wednesday 06-MAY-2009

Vienna/Austria

—– SCHEDULE —–

07:30 Morning Sitting in the Green Room
08:00 Breakfast
09:30 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16)
10:40 Break
11:15 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16)
12:15 Small Group Meeting – N22 Bass (No. 16)
13:00 Lunch
14:30 Small Group Meetings

—– 14:30 Study For The Left Hand (Leads)
—– 14:30 Palace Of Mirrors
—– 15:20 Eye Of the Needle

15:50 Break

—– 16:15 The Three Canons
—– 16:45 Music For A Found Harmonium

17:30 Break
19:15 Dinner
21:00 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16)

—–

12:00 Leave for St. Pölten
18:00 Arrive back at GCV center

Tuesday 05-MAY-2009

Vienna/Austria

—– SCHEDULE —–

08:00 Morning Sitting in the Green Room
08:30 Breakfast
09:30 Inaugural Meeting in the Green Room
10:00 Circle Meeting without Guitars (No. 16)
11:00 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16)
13:00 Lunch
14:30 Small Group Callisthenics
15:30 Break
16:00 Small Group Callisthenics
19:00 Dinner
20:30 Circle Meeting with Guitars (No. 16)

—–

Monday 04-May-2009

Vienna/Austria

Early morning rising at 06:00 in a new room in another flat, a temporary sleeping place, while I drift in-between apartments. I have moved out of the GCV home, while waiting for the new apartment to be prepared, sanitation/toilet in repair. One good reason to move out of the GCV flat: to accomodate the guests arriving for the Special Spring Project. So, I have been dragging around guitar and suitcase for the past days while moving between rooms.

One advantage: today, a 3 minute walk from the Beatrixgasse room to the Raiffeisen bank project. I work at the bank until 11:30 then leave for St. Pölten – a 40 minute train ride – to the NOEGKK project.

Meanwhile, a frenzy of exciting emails flying to and fro across cyberspace … Portugal, Italy, Vienna … the good news is that classical guitarist Alberto Mesirca has decided to travel to Vienna for the coming weekend, to see the California Guitar Trio / Vienna Circle performance at Theater Des Augenblicks and the Vienna Circle church performance on Sunday at Pfarre Reindorf. Something is brewing, something is in the air, who knows what may happen in the church on Sunday … !

Late afternoon commuting back to Vienna, to meet up with Heike in town: last minute calibrations, fixes, ideas, alignments, scheduling before the team arrives.

Back at Beatrixgasse to pick up some things, meeting up with Poopak and heading for the new apartment in the Staudgasse in Vienna’s 1180 district. Working at Staudgasse, putting the cupboards together, moving and organizing all the boxes, sorting things out.

We return to the Beatrixgasse room at 23:00 pm.

More project fine-tuning…

The guests are arriving at GCV home…

Tomorrow morning, the Beginning of the End…

Saturday 02-MAY-2009

Vienna, Austria

Morning computing for the SPECIAL SPRING PROJECT, countdown, with time running out: Monday evening the guests arrive and on Tuesday we have the inaugural meeting!

Roberto Duse calls, touching base regarding the project.

Guitar practice and mapping THE THREE CANONS for a melody circulation of six players.

To the GCV home at around 17:00 pm, packing my last things, running a laundry, aligning more office stuff with Heike.

Evening, more emailing and guitar practice …