Introduction
Hello everyone — I’m Anthony Giannini, and I’ve just joined the MFA Classical Guitar Academy with genuine gratitude (and a beginner’s reverence) for the discipline this instrument demands. My working life has been a long apprenticeship in integration: art and design, history and philosophy, education and philanthropy, alongside cognitive science at Harvard and ongoing work around human genius and artificial intelligence. What draws me to the classical guitar is its quiet severity — the way a single hand position can turn into a lifetime — and the way musical truth refuses jargon. I’m here to learn in public, practise in private, and become more precise, more honest, and more musical.
The guitar’s lineage feels, to me, like a centuries-long refinement of resonance: a migration from courtly ancestors such as the vihuela and the baroque guitar toward the modern form shaped in the nineteenth century by Antonio de Torres, then given…
Hello Anthony and welcome. You gave a nice, short history of the evolution of the classical guitar. Nicely done! I have three guitars, all made in the Torres style. I intentionally wanted the tradtional sound and chose that instead of many of the modern innovations like the doubletop, etc. These clsssical guitars are at home in the classical world of Sor, Tarrega, Carcassi, Dowland and of course, the great Bach, amoung many other great composers. However, this guitar is equally adapt for playing Irish music, such as that written by Turlough O’Carolyn and even modern music. I’ve been very impressed by classical transcriptions of many Beatle tunes. The magic of the classical guitar, with the sound of nylon ( or other) strings is a very special sound.
I was able to see in person the great Segovia in 1972 and his performance was magnificent, even though he had aged. I’ve also been privileged to see Christopher Parkening, the complete Romero family and Pepe Romero several times. I’ve been able to see many fine classical performers and still hope to see Sharon Isbin, David Russell and to see Anna Vidovic again. There are so many great performers and so little time. Again welcome. If you are beginning, you will find it equally difficult and rewarding. You have chosen a very fine teacher and musician in Merce. Enjoy and again welcome. Paul.