Julie Watson has been a member at CGC Academy for almost two years now. In that time she has become an essential, dedicated member of the CGC Academy community and last year she attended the first annual CGC Summer School. Here Julie performs Fernando Sor’s Etude in D Major, Op. 35, no. 17. Julie also writes a blog about learning classical guitar as an adult: check it out here. Please leave a comment to congratulate Julie on her playing and on her continued progress on the classical guitar!
Fernando Sor’s Op. 35 was first published in September of 1828 under the title Vingt-quatre Exercises. Unlike his earlier studies (Opp. 6 and 29) Op. 35 has fingerings throughout and the pieces are much easier than the earlier sets. As Brian Jeffery concludes, this set of studies (along with Op. 31) “shows Sor gradually taking on the role, no longer primarily of composer, but of teacher” (Brian Jeffery, Fernando Sor: Composer and Guitarist [London: Tecla, 1977], 101). – Dave Belcher
Lovely playing!
I met Julie last year at the Classical Guitar Corner Summer School where we were stand partners for the big ensemble. It has been wonderful to read about Julie’s journey this past year with all the ups and downs. She has a beautiful sense of phrasing and a sweetness as she plays this piece. Julie is a wonderful part of the Classical Guitar Corner community.
Julie, that was wonderful!
You looked so relaxed and confident. I hope to get there one day.
Bravo, Julie! You play the Sor piece beautifully.
It is such a joy to have you part of the CGC community.
I wish you all the best as you continue your journey with this lovely instrument.
Kari
Yes, Bravo! I was really affected by your rendition.
Your adult-learning blog has also been very helpful to me. Much appreciated.
-Jeff
Nice performance Julie, your dynamics was wonderful.
Thanks so much.
Tim
That was simply exquisite, Julie!!
I imagine that if I could play like that my plants might look more like yours (or at least still green) ;-]
Thanks for sharing,
Mark
Beautiful playing Julie!!
Bravo, Julie! That was an excellent performance and video. I have been following your posts about performance anxiety issues. From where I am sitting, you look very musically assured and comfortable with the artistry of the piece.
Thanks for your contributions to the site, and all best wishes,
Bruce
Quite sublime, Julie! Way to go! I must check out your blog.
That was so beautiful Julie – I just loved it!
Great playing in a beautiful, indoor garden setting. I have read you blog before, but will remind myself to revisit. You capture, in a jocularly self-depreciating way, exactly what all we adult classical guitar learners are experiencing, and strategies to improve. Thank you!
Cheers… Richard
Wow Julie!,
That was awesome. Sorry I have not been following what you have been writing in your journal (where does time go?). So this a most delightful surprise for me. Oh my! You have made SO MUCH PROGRESS!
Others have already said it, but your control of the instrument, your dynamics, the way the music flows, …. very, very good. I know very well this doesn’t happen just by chance. You have obviously been working hard and methodically.
Finally you yourself look great. Quite a lady in a most tasteful setting.
Now I look forward to meeting you in person very soon.
My most sincere congratulations
armando
Julie, that was beautiful! You have definitely come a long way! Bravo!
Julie – very nice legato playing on your part! I enjoyed listening to this lovely melody. Good job and thank you!
I really enjoyed this Sor Study, Julie. It sounded lovely and your tone is excellent.
Julie , you get such a sweet sound and play with real grace and elegance. I know the hours and passion you put in learning all your pieces and it has really paid off.
Well done.
Bravo, Julie!
Hi Julie,
you played this piece with a beautiful rhythm, flowing, musical, a delight to hear your performance.
To be in the spotlight is well deserved after such hard work.
congratulations!!
regards,
Joannes
Classical guitar corner academy is such a supportive community – it has really made a difference to how I feel about guitar playing -for me it started off as a solitary pursuit to alleviate stress and perhaps make a little music, but now it is so much more. I really enjoy being part of this guitar community of adult learners at all different levels – so difficult to find otherwise. I am looking forward to meeting many more people that I “know” already from the forum at this year’s summer school, and I anticipate there will be many more musical collaborations this year because we met many new friends at last year’s summer school! One of the other great things about the site is that everyone is always willing to share their expertise – I sometimes think we learn as much from each other as we do from the lessons! :) I look forward to being a member for many years and continuing to learn and grow on my musical journey.
Julie
Wow, Julie! What a lovely birthday surprise for me to stumble on your excellent rendition of the Sor piece. Being willing to put yourself in the spotlight like this shows true grit – or is it true Brit! (ouch!). Dreadful punning aside, have a brilliant time at this year’s summer school and keep up the good work on the guitar – it’s clearly paying off. All the very best. Myles
Happy (belated) birthday wishes to you, Myles! Always a treat to encounter your “dreadful punning” and (Brit) wit!
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Bravo Julie! You play this piece with such sensitivity, it’s absolutely lovely.
Wonderful playing Julie! The setting is lovely, your articulation is sensitive and beautiful!
Drew
Very gentle, sensitive and beautiful interpretation Julie! Bravo!
Thank you so much, Julie. You play beautifully.A
Nicely played, Julie. Lovely feel and flow to the piece.
Now you just need to work on the lyrics :)
Leo – I lnow just the person for the lyrics 😉
Sor is smiling Julie! Very well done indeed. Your progress has been remarkable! Just lovely.
I look forward to hearing it in person soon
,
Really, really nice Julie. A pleasure to hear.
Best Wishes
Julie – I am finally catching up with some previous postings. Beautifully performed – and a delightful setting for the video.
I enjoyed getting to know you during Summer School.
Keep up the good work. Your progress really shows.
Well done Julie. You have set the bar high! Just hoping that after 2 years I will be able to play as well.
A beautiful piece, played beautifully. Well done Julie.
Beautiful. Congratulations!🍾🎉🎈
Bravo Julie, very good presentation, sounds very relaxing and pleasant to the ear. I will try to imitate your very sensitive execution. congratulations.
Hey Julie, Congratulations on a fine, polished performance and I especially loved those articulated slurs towards the end!! Wow. Great work! Cheers from Down Under!
A beautiful, sensitive rendition. Lovely! How long have you been playing? After nearly three years, I have some way to go util I reach your standard.
Julie – The sensitivity of your approach is inspiring. I’m currently working on Sor’s Op. 35, No.22, but now this one will be one my to-do list. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Julie
I listened and enjoyed your interpretation here. Very nicely done! I’ll have to look this one up…it is so nice!
Beautifully done. As a short-time guitarist and a lifetime photographer, I am also as impressed at how you got such a nice video image with that strong backlighting. I can’t add anything to the compliments that came before. It falls good on the ear.
Hello, Julie. Where do I start learning classical guitar as a beginner? I’m 67 years old. Thanks.
Brava…! Beautifully played.
Hello Julie you were superb and your blog was informative,thanks
A very nice relaxed rendition there Julie, and one I’m sure will impress many others.
Cheers
Beautiful interpretation! Sor is always on my top list.
Wow – wonderful!
Very lovely playing Julie, Bravo!
Paul
Just gorgeous,Julie!
Hi Julie
A beautiful rendition, thanks for sharing this with us. You play with such feeling. I hope all is well with you and hope we will meet again at the summer school next year
Wow, what an inspiration to a very new beginner! How absolutely serene.
Lovely interpretation, Julie. I enjoyed it very much.
Beautiful…!
Very nice interpretation!
CGC SUMMER SCHOOL?
Can I bri g my daughter next year . She is 10 and play classical guitar.
Thanks…
Hi Mariana,
Please send us an email at [email protected]
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Beautiful, Julie!
nice!
Beautiful playing! But the background with the plants and the window – that is just awesome.
Excellent performance! Lovely and moving interpretation.
That was inspiring (and I need inspiration).
John
Congratulations! Very well done. Wishing you continued success !
Bravo! Great playing, Julie. Impressive!
Thank you Julie for a piece played well. I am inspired and will look at this piece with re-newed interest in the future.
Firstly, great job! A lot of ppl play like a robot would – very technical, but also very mechanical.
That being said however, I have to agree with Michaels comment on your feeling – I loved this piece Julie. I was saying to myself as you played how beautiful you did so (and I wouldn’t just say that!)
I’ve been playing (not classical) lead/guitar since I was 11 years old so for 33 years nearly. Without the proper feeling, one is merely going through the motions – great work, keep playing! :)
Sincerely,
Jason R.W
I really enjoyed the piece and hope to someday be brave enough to share a song with the academy.