Never seen anything like it
I went to see guitarist Martin Byatt last night with a cloud of mystery surrounding the musical possibilities for this free gig. From the National Theatre website's description he had sounded like a good performer - and I knew everyone they invited had to have a certain quality - but I was not prepared for the feats of instrumental genius which would grace the small green stage in the spacey NT foyer.
As I entered the building I heard sounds which might have been attributed to two or three guitarists - but I only saw one sitting there. There was no recording in the background either, like what you commonly see with solo buskers in the underground. Instead it was just one man, with thinning grey hair, sitting cross-legged on a low chair with one amp at the side. Both his hands moved with incredible agility - on occasions he was playing bassline, chord sequence and melody all at the same time, with stunning speed and accuracy. His eyes were closed and his body hardly moving: quite a contrast to the mesmerising fingerwork.
I hardly had enough time to take this all in before that tune finished and the modest crowd was showing its appreciation. He thanked us greatfully in low tones with a distinctive Scottish accent, before quickly moving on. Swapping over guitars from time to time, he told the audience about what inspired him to write some of his music: a talented builder called Jason who could move a ladder from one side of a house to the other without getting off, a random Spanish man who had shouted "Serramba!" at him then ran away while on an evening walk in Barcelona, a camping holiday with his wife at which tensions in the relationship had emerged. Such simple events, small in terms of life but huge in terms of the inspiration they can produce.
As well as playing his own compositions, Byatt delved into an impressive classical repetoire with pieces from the famous composer Agustin Barrios. I've never heard anything of this genre on guitar before but it was truly amazing - must try and check out some CDs now. His right hand produced intricate combinations of chordal strumming and single-string picking while the left flew smoothly up and down the fretboard stretching and straining for notes I would not think possible to reach. His stage presence held an awesome intensity which drew people in. As evening theatregoers entered the lobby they all stopped to look and many paused awhile to listen further. But at the same time Byatt appeared to be permeated with a sense of calm and relaxation, which spread through the atmosphere of the whole place and affected everyone there.
It's safe to say I was soundly dazzled by this virtuosic performance from a masterful guitarist.
As I entered the building I heard sounds which might have been attributed to two or three guitarists - but I only saw one sitting there. There was no recording in the background either, like what you commonly see with solo buskers in the underground. Instead it was just one man, with thinning grey hair, sitting cross-legged on a low chair with one amp at the side. Both his hands moved with incredible agility - on occasions he was playing bassline, chord sequence and melody all at the same time, with stunning speed and accuracy. His eyes were closed and his body hardly moving: quite a contrast to the mesmerising fingerwork.
I hardly had enough time to take this all in before that tune finished and the modest crowd was showing its appreciation. He thanked us greatfully in low tones with a distinctive Scottish accent, before quickly moving on. Swapping over guitars from time to time, he told the audience about what inspired him to write some of his music: a talented builder called Jason who could move a ladder from one side of a house to the other without getting off, a random Spanish man who had shouted "Serramba!" at him then ran away while on an evening walk in Barcelona, a camping holiday with his wife at which tensions in the relationship had emerged. Such simple events, small in terms of life but huge in terms of the inspiration they can produce.
As well as playing his own compositions, Byatt delved into an impressive classical repetoire with pieces from the famous composer Agustin Barrios. I've never heard anything of this genre on guitar before but it was truly amazing - must try and check out some CDs now. His right hand produced intricate combinations of chordal strumming and single-string picking while the left flew smoothly up and down the fretboard stretching and straining for notes I would not think possible to reach. His stage presence held an awesome intensity which drew people in. As evening theatregoers entered the lobby they all stopped to look and many paused awhile to listen further. But at the same time Byatt appeared to be permeated with a sense of calm and relaxation, which spread through the atmosphere of the whole place and affected everyone there.
It's safe to say I was soundly dazzled by this virtuosic performance from a masterful guitarist.
posted by Frederick at 18:40
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