Luys de Narvaes’ (c.1500-1560) Cancion del Emperador (Song of the Emperor) is actually based on Josquin Desprez’s (c.1440-1521), vocal composition Mille Regretz (A Thousand Regrets). It was common practice for vihuela, Spain’s version of the lute, composers to set popular songs of the day for their instrument. This is primarily how the tradition of playing solo instrumental music was begun. Supposedly the favorite song of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, Narvaes named his version The Emperor’s Song in homage. A translation of the original text reads “A thousand regrets in leaving you and going far from your loving face. I have great grief and grievous pain, so that soon people will see me end my days.” This piece exemplifies the guitar’s ability to handle multi voice textures and, as can be expected, the music reflects the deep sentiment of the lyric.
My studio recording of this piece is on my debut CD, Music for the Guitar, available through my web site (www.enloeguitarstudio.com). On sale for only $6.99 through December 2006!
This clip is taken from a 2003 recital in the Weaver room at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture in Bozeman, Montana (www.theemerson.org). Setting up and playing this recital was a bizarre experience… Just look at that backdrop! A traditional Irish band was performing in another hall the same time as I. Ten minutes before I was to begin playing Bagpipes started bellowing right under the open windows of my venue. Neither the audience nor myself knew how long they were going to go and fortunately they stopped right when I was to begin playing. All in all the performance when pretty well, and my friend Eric Hyppa brought his video camera so now I can share this video with you.
Thanks for watching!
My studio recording of this piece is on my debut CD, Music for the Guitar, available through my web site (www.enloeguitarstudio.com). On sale for only $6.99 through December 2006!
This clip is taken from a 2003 recital in the Weaver room at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture in Bozeman, Montana (www.theemerson.org). Setting up and playing this recital was a bizarre experience… Just look at that backdrop! A traditional Irish band was performing in another hall the same time as I. Ten minutes before I was to begin playing Bagpipes started bellowing right under the open windows of my venue. Neither the audience nor myself knew how long they were going to go and fortunately they stopped right when I was to begin playing. All in all the performance when pretty well, and my friend Eric Hyppa brought his video camera so now I can share this video with you.
Thanks for watching!
