John Williams meets Greg Smallman

This clip might interest flamenco & classical guitarists, and luthiers. I do not own this clip, which dates from around 2003. It was originally published on a classical guitar website, and appears to be from a much longer documentary.

[@brahim119]

Mr.Smallman is a great, gentle genius with a heart of gold. He believes in the _Open Source._ Thus shared his skills and _secret_ with fellow luthiers around the world free of charge. a very good man, may he live a long, a very long and healthy life.

[@topilurus]

Greg looks stunned when he saw the guitar he made make a such beautiful sound when played by john williams. i thought in his heart would say like this:"Oh My... that it is, now my baby is on the rightful hand!", such a beautiful moment i saw this.

[@deldia]

I love this part.

[@yamabushi170]

About 10 or so years ago Greg Smallman came to the London International Guitar Festival and talked about his guitar production methods. He was a very humble and fascinating chap to listen to. His engineering ingenuity was as remarkable as his enthusiasm was infectious. John Williams was in the audience as well. A very special memory.

[@renellflores7942]

The last piece is the Vivaldi's Concert in D major RV 230 3rd mvt Allegro

[@nicolasocampo9953]

4.40, when John started playing a piece, the look on Smallman's face is priceless! like, "i didnt know my guitars could do that in the right hands!"

[@rickyjumpman1]

Do u know the name of the music, don't u？

[@ceticobr]

​@@rickyjumpman1It's Vivaldi violin concerto in D RV 230, 3rd movement. It's on the album "VIVALDI etc!" 2019.

[@GordiansKnotHere]

John Williams got me inspired to study classical guitar when I was young. I lived off of his Bach lute suites (At that time) tapes. Side note: With my eyes closed He sounds like Obi Wan Kenobi when he talks.

[@danielboit5632]

Mira el rostro de Greg cuando toca John Wiliam sus guitarras este hombre es el más feliz del mundo ,un espectaculo maravilloso vídeo.

[@BaronBoy100]

This is an excerpt from "John Williams - The Film Profile". Runs for just under an hour and is excellent. As I watch this clip the full feature is the second recommendation listed down the side.

[@MichaelsPaintingChannel]

Wow, this last song and his reaction. A beautiful moment captured. Epic

[@RobertoMartinez-kv5tp]

Por John Williams, el mundo conoció esas extraordinarias guitarras 👍✔

[@chrisallard1819]

Marvellous - thank you. I had the whole documentary on vhs about 25 ago and watched it masses of times…

[@MerrittJeff1970]

Love this. A really beautiful moment. Talk about living a peaceful creative life. Smallman has that in spades.

[@dariuskasian1977]

One of our greatest classical guitar masters, Was studying in Newcastle at the time and he had just formed a band called the sky if I remember correctly, went to see them ,was yet another memorable nights of my days.

[@merranthompson9096]

I have also had the pleasure of seeing the band Sky play back in the early 80s it was a memorable experience that I will never forget.

[@cristinagomez8524]

Precioso tema en un marco incomparable, con un espectador maravilloso. Gran interpretación.

[@fed71]

el artesano contempla renacer a su instrumento en las manos de un maestro. Como si por primera vez pudiera escuchar todo su potencial, para lo cual la guitarra fue creada...al fin

[@ozgundemirr]

I wish I could meet with Smallman in person, he is a legend

[@merranthompson9096]

I would also very much like to meet Greg Smallman in person as I am a proud owner of a Spanish made classical guitar but I love the way that Greg Smallman puts a lot of love into his building of classical guitars for people like John Williams and if I could get the details of where Greg Smallman lives I would like to consider buying a classical guitar from Greg Smallman.

[@juanrafaelcaliva1120]

Cada tanto, vuelvo a ver este hermoso video y se los hago ver a mis alumnos!!! Seres tan valiosos de nuestra Humanidad!!!

[@joeluvzblues]

I have a Smallman copy made by Yulong Guo from about 11 years ago. It projects really well despite being really heavy for a classical guitar. Can't imagine what the real thin would fell like.

[@merranthompson9096]

I would really love to buy a guitar that is made by Greg Smallman I think it would be worth the experience and the money I just need to find out where Greg Smallman lives.

[@e4d578]

This clip is from the mid-late 1990s from one of JCW's video documentary/performances.

[@kathleenbergeron1292]

Thank you for posting this...fascinating!

[@wuzzaman]

thanks for uploading this. So fascinating when two geniuses meet.

[@jorgenina5890]

Awesome video!

[@TheCatalunya]

what a good man john williams ...

[@mattbod]

Fascinating film!

[@javierdiazsantana]

Besides Smallman's guitars quality, John Williams' Playing AND Vivaldi / Bach concerto, it's hilarious to see Smallman put lattices onto his house chairs...

[@coffeemachtspass]

It seems to have a very responsive sound. Crisp, but full-bodied.

[@anterotimonen6442]

Macy... i never see this before

[@caesarvalentin6332]

Two geniuses

[@belalakaperal]

If anyone's wondering, I know the piece Williams plays at 2:08 is "Aconquija" by Agustin Barrios. Now if anyone knows the last piece he plays, I'd be much obliged!

[@VladTheImpaler454]

It's Vivaldi

[@adnguyen9698]

It's Vivaldi rv230, or you may try Bach's version in BWV 972

[@crvra3]

Grandioso!

[@nonegaloh9557]

tocando corazones! hermoso.

[@amezcuaist]

Greg Has lattice backed chairs too .

[@151dgold13Tx]

This Genius manufacturer guitar has one important rival, Ramirez

[@davekummer6587]

there's 3 artist's at work here --instrument luthier-----composer----and player

[@JohnSund-Music]

Great - one could wish for a better upload in picture and especially sound.

[@peterjongsma2754]

The Smallman guitar is very loud and has terrific projection.

[@JorgeBarnet]

Excellent!

[@VladTheImpaler454]

It says on Williams website that he was supposed to release his transcription of the Vivaldi for solo guitar but I can't find it anywhere :(

[@antione101]

He never recorded the solo version until 2017.

[@antione101]

I saw him play his solo version in 2000 at the 92nd street y

[@VladTheImpaler454]

@@antione101 It's a shame that he never released the score. Fortunately Tariq Harb has done his own arrangement and it's very good

[@antione101]

@@VladTheImpaler454 yeah. About 6 or 7 years ago he said that he would release it, but it never came out.

[@ceticobr]

It's there now.

[@tmjcbs]

From the moment John Williams changed his superb Fleta for Smallman guitars, it all went downhill.....

[@nogales5133]

si el sonido de Fleta es increible, es muy grande y armonioso

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Is your hearing impaired? Fletas sound like constipated tissue boxes. John has pulled out of Smallman guitars never before heard sounds and harmonies. Ever since that pivotal moment in guitar construction, classical repertoire does not sound like pre-WW2 era mono recordings..

[@Deerse]

To me I prefer the Fleta guitar which may sound more percussive then the Smallman as JW says, but the colour and character speaks for me much more, I think I embrace that " imperfection" which is perfect in itself. And I also prefer the older style of playing JW did in the sixties and seventies with more phrasing and gracefulness, compare the same pieces e.g.

[@ZRJZZZZZ]

Not “all” downhill, but I agree with you the Fleta-recorded output usually sounds better. I have played both extensively, and I prefer the traditionally made instrument.

[@josemotta9560]

Que coisa interessante.

[@arthurfranca5516]

4:46 what piece is this?

[@Gminor7]

A tragic event in guitar history.

[@Pladderkasse]

True.

[@mjrami]

I always wonder if he ever payed for those guitars

[@PortlandGuitarDuo]

actually the clip dates back from 93 or 94.

[@Neil_Jordan]

lattice bracing also in the chairs :) great video :)

[@jamievillasenor]

Wow

[@ThoughtThinkerTomas]

not a very talkative chap is he? Mr. Smallman. Superb luthier.

[@juliannavarro8400]

I've been trying to understand what he says at 1:31. without trying my old one it seems to have that same clear........... could anybody tell me what he says there?

[@howtrickyisthis]

+Julián Navarro '.... magicie thing, I used to say....' We Aussies like to stick 'ie' on the end of things. He is saying "magic like" by saying "magicie" pronounced magic-ee

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

"Magicky thing", in Australian slang, magical quality. He refers to playing of certain chords - the sound projected has richness he never heard on his old guitars, but only on Smallmans. Then he compares the new harmonics he hears with the shimmering of eucalyptus leaves on tree tops in summer's breeze. Now, to understand the metaphor, eucalyptus trees do not have dense branches but well spaced out, and on them long, thin leaves, that create almost silent, rustling-like sound which is not harsh, but very velvety.

[@Alanguitar00]

whats the last piece he plays??

[@renellflores7942]

concert in D major RV 230 3rd movement Allegro by Vivaldi

[@VladTheImpaler454]

renell flores I can't find any solo rendition of the piece. I wish there was a solo guitar score available as the part he plays there sounds like a lot of fun

[@PatrickMcCormickIrish]

89Redge Solo guitar arrangement here (PDF file)... johnny-jerome.fr/partitions/1700/Vivaldi_Antonio/Concerto%20Op.3%20No.9%20%28Vivaldi-Eriksson%29.pdf

[@VladTheImpaler454]

Patrick McCormick Thanks but I don't think it's the same version as what Williams is playing :(

[@javierdiazsantana]

4:40 God.

[@TheRyandarius]

what song he played on 1:50?

[@mattbod]

He’ seems a fantastic luthier but either sells to dealers direct or new owners do atraight away. Even if you have the cash if would be hard to get one. They sound good but not £20k good. Mind you he shares his ideas and a few other guitar makers utilize them too. Not played one but would be interested to. My teacher says they have very thin tops and a massive thick back.

[@dr.steffen4857]

I think it is an exceptionally great guitar, by all means. By the way, prices have about doubled, after only these 9 months or so, even with all the economic strain put on us by Corona. (At least) one is just on sale.

[@javierdiazsantana]

Anyone noticed Smallman has lattices in his chairs

[@basharsalman9932]

please answer

[@CT2507]

John Williams sounds a bit like John Lennon.

[@RavnerRavner]

lookin like John The Baptist

[@olewetdog6254]

Is he stoned??

[@josephcambron7060]

Smallman was trippin'.