Hey!

Taking the time every now and then to question everything and put it to the test can unleash unexpected energy and multiply your enthusiasm and strength.

That’s why, after a somewhat longer break, we’re not only featuring the usual categories today, but also a new one: “Things we come across…” is now a regular section of our newsletter.

As for the familiar features: a Brahms arrangement in the YouTube Find of the Week and Paganini – the (not just) “Devil’s Violinist” and passionate amateur guitarist – as the main theme of the fantastic Album of the Week. Leon Albert invites us once again to join him for his signature morning coffee, and we’ve realized that giving pointed answers to our own questions isn’t as easy as it seems :) So, huge respect to everyone who’s taken on these questions so far!

Enjoy the read!

All the best,
Stefan and Willi

YOUTUBE FIND OF THE WEEK
with Leonard Becker (feat. Theresa Pilsl & Jonas Müller)

We do have a penchant for arrangements. And this particular lineup makes us look back on our own past with a satisfied smile…

“Soll sich der Mond nicht heller scheinen” from 49 German Folk Songs (WoO 33) by Johannes Brahms – tastefully and creatively arranged and interpreted by Leonard Becker, staying true to the spirit of the original.

We could go on and on with positive comments, but you’d be better off using this time to check out this lovingly produced video. And enjoy the fact that all those grand pianos are just there as a backdrop ;)

ALBUM OF THE WEEK
with Carlotta Dalia & Goldmund Quartett

“He was so much more than just the ‘Devil’s Violinist.’” That’s what Carlotta Dalia says about Paganini. She should know, because Carlotta seems to have delved deeply into the repertoire for her new release with the Goldmund Quartet. Niccolò Paganini left behind fifteen guitar quartets, which can be seen as a clear sign of his affection for this instrument. “We play his music on his instruments,” says Carlotta Dalia, “and the result is truly magical.”

Nothing to add from our side.

The recordings delight our ears with their agility and a transparent, energetic, warm sound. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to this special selection of pieces and letting ourselves be swept up in the magic.

Carlotta Dalia’s extraordinarily refined sense of tone, phrasing, and simply profound musicality is particularly evident in the “Sonata in A Major, Op. 3 No. 1” and the “Caprice No. 24.” As for her technical skill, there’s no need to say a word.

Take the time to give it a listen – this album deserves it!

MORNING-ROUTINE
A coffee with Leon Albert

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

Simultaneities are okay. There are always overlaps.

INTERVIEW

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

THINGS WE COME ACROSS …

Have you ever wondered what’s so great about meeting new people?

We, for one, always find it inspiring to meet other artists, guitar builders, and people who are passionate about our instrument. For us, it’s like a breeze that really stokes the embers. We love meeting inspiring people – those who are passionate about something, driven, yet still have a sense of ease.

That’s exactly how we felt during our time at the Guitar Summit in Mannheim.
We had the opportunity to play two showcases featuring La Mancha’s rECO series (for students). These are crafted from local woods like cherry, spruce, and maple. And we think that’s pretty awesome.

Plus: In Mannheim, we also played pieces from our upcoming album Symphonia of Encounters in public for the first time. Coming out only in December. The symphony (meant in the original sense of “harmony”) cast its shadow this weekend. What a fitting start to the coming months! And in the spirit of encounters, it couldn’t have been more fitting for us. What inspiring encounter have you had recently? Let us know.

Now let’s toss a symbolic euro into the cliché jar: It’s the little things that make life worth living.

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

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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.