VALSA VENEZOELANO - by SERGIO ASSAD from Variaciones Sudamericanas

VARIACIONES SUDAMERICANAS (by SERGIO ASSAD) sobre un Estudio de Fernando SOR (Op.35 n° XVII - Sor/Segovia n° 6) VARIACION N° 3 - Valsa Venezoelano Variaciones sudamericanas sobre un estudio de Fernando Sor, was commissioned by the International Guitar Competition in Antony (France) in 2017. The study Op. 35 No. 17 by Fernando Sor, appeared immediately and spontaneously to Sergio Assad as a source of inspiration. At his starting point, ASSAD decided to use the theme developed by Andrés Segovia and Napoléon Coste, a version he had got to know as a student (Study n° 6 SOR- SEGOVIA). The Author himself says about it : ‘The étude has an excellent form consisting of three small, contrasting sections and a finale bringing a modified reprise to the first section. The harmony is also captivating. [...] Therefore I liked the idea of juxtaposing two stylistically different waltzes — a Brazilian and a Venezuelan one. Then I incorporated two other variations in my favourite styles: Argentine Malambo and Candombe from Uruguay. Finally, the Canción emerged and evoked associations with many Latin American regions […].’ SERGIO ASSAD Brazilian-born, Legendary and Illustrious composer and guitarist Sérgio Assad, was born four years after Ponce’s death. He is a direct heir to the art of performance of Andrés Segovia himself, whose student, Brazilian Monina Távora, was Sérgio’s teacher. He studied composition with Brazilian composer Esther Scliar. As a soloist and also performing in a duo with his brother Odair, in the repertoire he often includes his own works, of which he wrote over 50. The list of his guitar works contains more than 300 titles. Assad strongly identifies with the Latin American musical culture, which is visible in his compositions and arrangements of Astor Piazzolla’s iconic works.