Excited to share a couple works by Enríquez de Valderrábano. ‘Soneto Lombardo a Manera de Danza’, from Valderrábano’s ‘Silva de Sirenas’ (1547), is a stylized dance derived from an Italian pavana. Versions of the same melody appear in German and French lute and organ sources. Valderrábano’s setting transforms this dance melody into a refined vihuela idiom, combining graceful rhythmic motion with elegant harmonic writing. ‘Fantasia 19’ is one of a number of works Valderrábano based on pre-existing vocal models. This fantasia is explicitly identified as a parody of the post-Kyrie from Josquin des Prez’s ‘Missa De Beata Virgine’. Rather than a literal transcription, Valderrábano reshapes the polyphonic source into a richly idiomatic solo work. The result is a fantasia that balances studied counterpoint with expressive freedom, illustrating both the vihuelist’s deep engagement with the most innovative Franco-Flemish repertory of his time and the Renaissance ideal of parody as a form of respectful transformation. Played on a Michael Gee guitar.

CLASSICAL GUITAR VIRTUAL OPEN MIC SUNDAY, January 25, 2026 STARTING TIME: 12:00 PM MOUNTAIN TIME (USA and CANADA) o Compare your time zone here: www.thetimezoneconverter.com · Meeting ID: 891 0524 0840 · Password: 2026Guitar https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89105240840 · Meeting is locked at 12:05 PM Mountain Time Please read all guidelines before joining: · Open to everyone of all skill levels and newcomers are welcome. Most of our participants have mid-beginner to intermediate skills. · You do not need to be an experienced performer. o Be PREPARED. Honest mistakes due to nerves are one thing. Trying to read through a piece which is not yet truly ready for a performance is a different matter. · Add (Observer) to your name if you would like to attend without performing a piece. · This is an opportunity for you to grow and learn to get comfortable playing in front of others on a regular basis in an informal environment where mistakes are allowed. · The session includes brief introductions and then performing before the group. There will be a brief time for constructive feedback after each performance. · Performing time is generally up to 10 minutes. Sets can be longer depending on how many people are participating on the date. · Playing the same piece(s) that you already played in previous meetings is perfectly fine. · Have “Original Sound for Musicians” ON. This is usually in the upper right corner of your screen. · We will do a quick sound-check beforehand to make sure your sound is coming through clearly. UPDATED ZOOM OPEN MIC SCHEDULE – Winter/Spring 2026 We will hold Zoom Open Mic sessions on: · Jan 25 · Feb 08 · Mar 08 · Apr 12 · May 17 · June 07

Here is more from the wonderful Rob MacKillop

Here are a variety (okay, limited) of Spanish virtuosi. The way that they hold their guitar differs, but two players here (Pepe Romero, Narciso Yepes) have visibly different and lower neck angles than the rest. When I've tried the "Pepe/Yepes" stance, it doesn't work well for me. Yet certainly both of these players are at the top of any reasonable list of virtuoso CG players. Can someone help explain the benefits of the lower-angled position?

A couple pieces, originally for vihuela, from the Spanish Renaissance by Miguel de Fuenllana. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GXfFxmrFWOM