1st Prize Winner ECU Guitar Competition 2019

Oscar Somersalo, 1st prize winner of ECU Guitar Competition 2019
Music:
Variations on Carnival of Venice by Francisco Tárrega
1st movement, Fandangos y Boleros from Sonata by Leo Brouwer
Performed on July 16, 2019
Guitar: Gabriele Lodi
www.oscarsomersalo.com

[@rosshanley8398]

Absolutely magnificent. The only thing wrong with this performance is the creaking stool he’s sitting on. Every time he shifts his weight it creaks. I could listen to this all day, even with the creaky stool.

[@jessyjose7240]

It's for his comfort 👏👏

[@potatosalad68]

not even that

[@DN-kz7xl]

@@jessyjose7240 ?

[@rihamy2nd]

@@jessyjose7240 you’re correct, but there are comfortable stools which aren’t noisy when you move on them. It’s a shame he didn’t have one for this performance.

[@captaindoeverything]

it's not the stool it's his knees, I think they're arthritic . . .

[@benchance8729]

I've listened to more classical guitar in this pandemic than I ever have in my life, and I don't even play. These two pieces contrast one another beautifully. The rubatos and vibrato are among the best I've heard, and the technical brilliance possesses much natural fluidity...and what to say of the phrasing, it sings! I'm floored by the perforamnce; bravo!

[@henryallen9172]

Amazing

[@Don-James]

Agreed.

[@qwertylife]

I used to get discouraged, as a fellow listener but also classical guitar student, that not many people appreciate classical guitar (because it's so quiet and for other reasons). Wonderful to hear the perspective of other listeners.

[@Techtalktoll]

I have finally heard a classical guitar with the passion of a Spanish player - as lovely as the guitar sounds - the player is truly superb.

[@Geotubest]

Congrats Oscar on a magnificent performance. First time viewing it here tonight, from Spain. Hypnotising.

[@Deerse]

Feels very authentic, great rendition, feel transformed 120 years back in time. The epic not academic character of playing is what makes this special. The technique serves and is not the goal. Brightness and colour are all there.

[@jlas0324]

Only 500 viewers, what a shame! So many people missing this fantastic performance. Congrats

[@manfredhauptreif7285]

They watch TikTok instead😂😂😂

[@Phirrst]

İ play guitar and I can tell that he is VERY good! People these days are listening to garbage, sorry

[@rayray8687]

@@Phirrst: Garbage is in the ears of the beholder. I’m a guitarist and some people even listen to ME, lol. Anyway this guy is excellent.

[@Phirrst]

@@rayray8687 when I say garbage, I meant music that is not coherent or has little musicality to it. I am not saying everyone has to listen to classical music. Having said that, one can only appreciate the mastery in his work if one has basis for comparison, the nuances, dynamic and phrasing that he makes out of a wooden box and strings. And, that is not to belittle luthier's work but to emphasis the mastery that has gone into making that sound

[@joenalaska]

The KZbin algorithm has spoken, it is resurrected! At 100k when I made this comment.

[@WhereTwoWaysMet]

This guy in his best JFK voice: “I chose to learn this piece, NOT because it is easy, but because it is hard!”

[@nobrainsnoheadache2434]

hawd

[@RocketPipeTV]

And yet going to the moon is still impossible, cause you can’t land on a light. 😂🤣😂

[@erents1]

Beautiful and the space between the notes, so perfect and inspiring.

[@komentattor]

the best classical performances like this don't sound "classical", they sound more like improvisation, or folk music, because of their singing sonority and masterful, fluent playing. Congratulations to the player :)

[@ryan_raus]

I’d say it’s all up to personal preference, I know some people that say “the more Bach it sounds the better” But I completely agree with you :)

[@KaiserBlade]

The guitar is a classical guitar. Get it?

[@ibuetn9294]

The section starting at 2:53 ist actually an austrian folk song as well, so I see where you're coming from haha "Mein Hut, der hat 3 Ecken" (my hat has 3 corners) if you want to look it up. But I think there are serveral versions with different lyrics

[@benveach9689]

💯 agree! This fantastic piece is not an arrangement but purely improv of his talents as he plays different genres s

[@benveach9689]

The playing was beautiful of multi layered styles~Classical Spanish American Folk and maybe a bit of Hawaiian?

[@datdang9113]

thank you for sharing this great performance, Carnival of Venice is one of my favourite classical music piece

[@floydgonzales3864]

Wow!!! Most do not appreciate the level of difficulty this young man is showing. I have tried playing guitar for over 50 years, I am better than many, but he is simply masterful.

[@thomassicard3733]

I'm laughing with joy... BRAVO!!! I'm a life-long pianist, former major symphony (etc.) French hornist and currently playing cornet/trumpet. Great choices in phrasing, dynamics, articutation and the entirety of MUSICALITY!!! So natural, human and beautiful.

[@christienvanrensburg5512]

Absolutely beautiful - thank you!

[@shashimenon1000]

Fantastic. Mesmerizing finger control. The music pieces require intense involvement. So glad I came across this work. Kudos. A maestro to be remembered.

[@timothytremblay7763]

Loved this Music and thank you very much for the audition. 🙏

[@cjspice6310]

This is absolutely going on to my listening room playlist. Sit back, close your eyes and enjoy. I can imagine it sounds a thousand times better in the room. Outstanding.

[@reoandbert]

I can’t believe I missed this extraordinary yet profound performance… Sir. You are a legend Absolutely riveting I couldn’t get out of my chair due to such beautiful playing…I had to subscribe to your channel all because I wanted to hear more…BRAVO!!!🎉

[@musicalbenjiman]

Fantastic!!! I love the slides that made the guitar sound so expressive. Excellent dynamics and just all around impeccable. My hat off to you.

[@lxdgr8]

I totally respect his conversion of the Carnival of Venice into a classical guitar piece of mastery.

[@stephenhardy4158]

Listening to this had me thinking of, and feeling, the real human history behind the music. I can't give the player higher praise than this.

[@tamikaze3751]

This is the kind of music you listen to with a huge smile on your face!

[@zazz69ed]

Great job so many of the arts are dying off.. Love to see the youth still showing interest and even excelling in them... Bravo !!! I truly hope you are still doing something with your talent. Thank you for sharing. Be well and much respect.

[@xSpyder5x]

You just blew my mind, that was amazing, thank you so much

[@samueljsnead]

Excellent! Thank God for KZbin where something like this can live on demand in the palm of your hand… great job brother.❤️🔥

[@Turbohh]

Brilliant and awesome. Thank you!

[@bazanderson8283]

what a beautiful sweet tone, played with such passion you can hear shine through, absolutely everything the classical guitar should be, a joy to listen too - thank you for sharing your art and skill with us 🙏❤🙏❤

[@henryallen9172]

Amazing piece and player

[@eveblueray3680]

beautiful

[@georgemfavors5648]

that is a complicated piece of music that he has totally mastered BRAVO!!!!

[@t-bonebigears]

Great memorization and execution. WOW!

[@louisevad6091]

Hard to believe anyone could play this good. So many familiar melodies in this piece. I will have these riffs resurface forever.

[@gabrielciotti2564]

Bravo! You bring me to tears. I your dedication to the instrument shines brightly. I envy your talent and obvious love of the art. You are flawless! Beautiful!

[@MrJohnnyorange]

Not just for guitar players, but for every musician who is under the illusion they have "mastered" their instrument.

[@tritone3284]

Beautiful and exquisite!

[@charlielee9730]

Great performance!! What a level!!

[@ottomobile64]

I’ve never heard anyone play the classical guitar more elegantly. Unbelievable!

[@SpaceKadetMegaStar]

Beautiful music, it took me on a journey! Also, you know hard it is to make a GOOD happy song? Bravo!

[@spam8645]

You can feel all the hours he must have put into it to be this perfect just by hearing it...

[@matthewtroxel4839]

My father used to whistle that piece... Thank you for the excellent interpretation and for the memory

[@Liofigsguitar]

❤❤❤ this is beautiful! One unique talent!

[@cordeliav3055]

Great performance. I feel so privileged to see firsthand.

[@flyinsossers]

I would give anything to be able to play like that. With the exception of the time and self discipline it requires. Well done Sir ! You are incredibly talented.

[@billyvillacis9975]

Lol

[@santoni58]

Music flows though his fingers like water… beautiful performance.

[@christianlaunay7494]

Non je ne lâcherai pas la guitare, même si je suis conscient que je n'arriverai jamais au dixième du dixième d'une telle virtuosité. Merci pour le partage de votre travail artistique. Bravo.

[@robertstephens3889]

I am always amazed at talent which is never able to describe to any person. Only one way to sit back, close your eyes and listen to the amazing talent. You sir are absolutely amazing. Wow wow wow. Every note is so clear and distinct and the mkst amazing is to rember all the playing and chords. Awesome stuff

[@pikongrangkasan2907]

I enjoy watching and listening this piece. I have first admired Thu Le, this is definately my second guitarist idol. Bravo

[@chang7444]

i hav truly enjoyed this piece of music...u made my day....thank u so much my brother....keep playing...we love yr music...

[@brohends]

15 minutes you Play and remembering The partiture ... You are a good man

[@chubajamir3687]

Played so Beautifully....❤ it

[@michaelsparks6084]

Stunning! Brilliant! Epic!

[@alizekc231]

I can not imagine the effort. I am just blown.

[@susanscheuer6554]

Truly mesmerizing and perfecto. I ❤️ classical guitar.

[@michaelcoghlan9124]

Unbelievable. Thank you. M

[@manfredhauptreif7285]

Tarrega! WHO will ever remember the latest Hits you can hear or see on TikTok these days!

[@akkapongsungkajuntra7828]

You play so good.. I will learn from your dynamic...

[@MrAngrygerman]

Wow, that tremolo was absolutely mind-blowing

[@dependsonwhoyouask9574]

Magnificent, his variation of tone and color are wonderful, remind me of Julian bream, very expressive.

[@patriciagraham222]

So lovely!

[@jamesmcswain8120]

Beautiful touch. Maestro

[@godislove8740]

wow. my ears are weeping and my eyes are irrelevant. feels good even through the jealous rages : ) Brava.

[@keysonthego3663]

Beautiful !!!

[@harmantoedydjatmiko3862]

Magnificent!!!!

[@wesparkerguitar]

Unbelievable tone!!! Bravo!

[@josequiroga5958]

Fantástico, muy bueno con tu guitarra!!!!!!

[@tengkusulaiman]

It is so beautiful. Brought my mind somewhere else. Zorro accompanying his wife at market, buying her a scarf. Then they danced.

[@marcoathayde42]

Fantastic!!!

[@zaceriwata]

Wow… amazing skill, well done!

[@goochpunchtickles3617]

Reminiscent of Segovia. You brought the piece to life. Well done.

[@zozoart]

Segovia doesn't even come close

[@leviestrella]

Flawlessly...flawles..wow!

[@hokehinson5987]

Outstanding!

[@antjamnow1286]

I printed this off in college when I studied classical guitar. Still to this day, I never got around to reading the music. No less than 15 pages. Probably upwards of 20 or more. Carnival of Venice remains one of the most incredible and beautiful folk melody Variations on a Theme in music. Additionally, I encourage all musicians to experiment and challenge themselves to create new theme and variation material to keep the tradition alive.

[@nickjohnson410]

Impeccable

[@alvintarrer6914]

That just blew me away

[@YuriYeleyko]

Brilliante!

[@pamsmith7369]

Fantastic!

[@WhereTwoWaysMet]

I think we can all agree that the empty chair was a nice touch! 🪑 👍😁

[@justinludeman8424]

Beautiful tone, phrasing, dynamic control, voice separation etc. A worthy winner. I really like the timbre of that Gabriele Lodi guitar, prominent bass and midrange with a perfectly balanced treble that neither dominated or withered; resonant overtones aplenty - Muy Tasto!

[@adambozentko5877]

Good at Guitar also, blahahahahha

[@marcusfinn759]

Mes félicitations C'est très très beau Merci

[@royaltyfreemusic1818]

Waoooo... unbeatable... Love from India assam

[@ayinyustar9305]

Amazing !

[@mikemaas9944]

Who can not like this? Beautiful playing! Bravo! 👏

[@F20ization]

Me!I can not like this.....chair beside him.I like his way he plays amazing classical music with guitar.

[@purushottamupreti9609]

very-very well played!

[@FanPhys]

Incredible!

[@brasshouse9822]

Perfection.

[@jessyjose7240]

Fantastic 🙏❤

[@rossd6809]

Many many voices.

[@brucebissell7626]

AWESOME!

[@2222thebeast]

Phenomenal technique.

[@gerardprinsen5965]

Stupendo !!

[@johndaugherty4127]

Beautiful. I am a big fan of Bach, but this is very.... refreshing.

[@ccrider3435]

I am doing Somersalts listening to this!! ! 🥰

[@chasebarrett3801]

Reminds me of this very beautiful senorita I met one time.

[@stevep7950]

Typing from Yorkshire I would like to add that my hat has got three corners ... what a splendid arrangement and performance.

[@alexstewart8097]

So you made yourself corregidor then...Watch out world...Lol.

[@nickrichards3841]

Masterpiece

[@renardbleu1790]

Quelle interprétation !! bravo

[@keepdufunk]

Magnifico!!!!!!!

[@konstantinwolf5623]

Fantastic

[@acool6401]

Just when you think you have the guitar mastered, a guy like this comes along, blows your mind 😳 and makes you realize you need to go back to the drawing board and practice some more. 😋 This was an impeccable performance. 👏 Bravo!

[@andrerousselsapet5219]

Great composition And has real talent. 👌👌👌👌👌😊🐝

[@stevenjohnson5197]

I think he has moved well beyond talented...

[@pamelacorbett8774]

Heaven on earth!

[@c.k.a.3814]

very good, good boy

[@alisaral3729]

Congrats..