Hey!

Do you also find that, when you’re in vacation mode, the extra time you have gives you a chance to come up with something new? Ideas about how and what you’d like to discover?

In our last issue before the summer break, we’ve got some inspiration for you to start with – and we’re totally ready for new discoveries ourselves.

With Arkaïtz Chambonnet, we’re discovering the beauty of the Basque Country, with Leon Albert, the beauty of imperfection, and Stefan’s answer to the question of what most often gets in the way of practice also points toward something beautiful.

We wish you sunny days and exciting discoveries. We’ll be back in early September with fresh content.

But for now, enjoy today’s issue.

Warm wishes,
Stefan and Willi

YOUTUBE FIND OF THE WEEK
with Christian Zack

Not all interpretations are created equal. An interpretation takes on its own character precisely when the performer’s own character merges with the piece. This happens with the utmost intensity in Christian Zack’s performance. Musical understanding, emotion, creativity, and flow come together perfectly in his interpretation of Juan Antonio Sánchez’s Tonada por despedida, leaving us with nothing but the wish that we, as listeners, could have been there in person in this wonderfully warm video setting.

An enchanting piece, performed by an enchanting artist.

Put on your headphones and enjoy!

ALBUM OF THE WEEK
with Arkaïtz Chambonnet

We recently had the pleasure of seeing the Gran Gala de Zarzuela at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, and afterward – still buzzing from these wonderful pieces of Spanish musical theater – we turned our attention once more to Spain’s rich guitar music culture.

French guitarist Arkaïtz Chambonnet recently released an album featuring compositions inspired by the Basque Country. That’s right: not Madrid, not Andalusia – the Basque Country!

A refreshing mix of pieces that melts away like ice cream under the Spanish sun as you listen.

Some of our highlights are “Javier & Olite” from Castillos de España by our old friend Federico Moreno Torroba – who, by the way, in addition to his dedication to guitar music, played a key role in making zarzuela accessible to an international audience – or the Suite vasca by the Basque-Uruguayan composer José Tomás Mújica.

With his colorful, cleanly phrased, and softly rendered playing style, Arkaïtz offers a delightful listening experience that we highly recommend.

Enjoy!

MORNING-ROUTINE
A coffee with Leon Albert

Hi Leon, what’s the routine for this week?

Imperfection is true beauty.

INTERVIEW

4 Questions, 4 Answers, 4 Facial Expressions with: TMBM / Part I

FEEL-GOOD TUNE OF THE WEEK
with Ini Kamoze

Whether it’s between rehearsals and lessons, after practicing, before a concert, or whenever you need it: put on your headphones, take a break from the noise, and feel good.

Our feel-good tune of the week!

OUTRO

Thank you for reading! Feel free to send any suggestions or comments directly in response to this newsletter. New music discoveries – including from artists we wrote about in today's issue – can be found, as always, in our Spotify playlist for the newsletter, which we've linked below.

Be kind to each other.

Stay tuned!

Stefan & Willi

supported by

New Classical Guitar is a newsletter by Willi Leinen and Stefan Degel from TMBM. You can find our music and more information about our journey at http://t-m-b-m.com/.

On Spotify, we curate a playlist with our favorite pieces. Feel free to follow our New Classical Guitar Playlist at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZwxJRAsW9Zs2JiS2eLy6a?si=9b2a737f01c043a4 and recommend new additions.