Wednesday 8 June 2022

Remembering two trailblazing women of the classical guitar

Paraguayan classical guitarist Berta Rojas has released a new album, Legado which celebrates two trailblazing women classical guitarists, Ida Presti and Maria Luisa Anido. The disc features music by Presti and Anido alongside tombeaux by John Duarte, Gilbert Biberian and Sergio Assad. The video features Rojas playing John Duarte's Idylle pour Ida

Born outside of Paris, Ida Presti (1924-1967) was a child prodigy, giving her first full concert at the age of 10. "When I listened to her, I was aware that heaven had bestowed to her the gift of musical communication", Segovia commented. Pushed by her father, success came early but his death in 1938 and the advent of World War II, limited widespread travel and exposure. In 1952, she married fellow guitarist Alexandre Lagoya and the pair became one of the most celebrated duos in classical guitar, perhaps overshadowing her solo accomplishments. 

Argentinian-born Maria Luisa Anido (1907-1996) drew inspiration for much of her music from the folk tunes and idioms of South America. "Maria Luisa Anido was for me a revelation. The impression it produced to me I’ll never be able to erase from my mind.…it is something that surpasses all that is imaginable", renowned guitar virtuoso Miguel Llobet said. Like Presti, her talents were recognized early, and her early career guided by her guitarist father. But it was only after the death of her parents that Anido was able to travel more extensively and perform in prominent venues worldwide. 

Rojas disc, Legado is available online [Link Tree]

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