April 2025 Challenge Cloughie

[cloughie]

This month I’ve got just a little obsessed with the beauty of a melody from a Schubert Piano Sonata. Specifically the 2nd movement of his 21st which he wrote just months before his ridiculously young death at 31.

Plenty of constraints here. It had to reflect his melody and be my interpretation of it. 1 guitar recorded both rhythm and lead. Lead played almost entirely on one string. 1 scale mostly.

It’s mainly in 1 scale C#m. 1st bit is mostly C#m B A C#m. Then it goes to a few measures around a G# and thena a few around an E. Then repeats and finally resolves with a C diminished chord resolving first to E and then ultimately back ot C#m.

Be kind to yourself (especially when you're trying to play this instrument!)
Brian Clough

“Got a lotta sinful ideas but they seem kinda sensible” Jim Casy the ex-preacher in The Grapes Of Wrath

[Tremelow]

You can definitely see you didn’t make it easy for yourself, Cloughie! Interpreting a classical piece so skillfully on the guitar (well, two guitars, really) requires quite a bit of musical knowledge and competence. It’s a very beautiful and very well-done piece.

[Jennifer D]

Oh yes that was really beautiful on guitar! Exquisite!

[Guido]

Very nice arrangement for two guitars and brilliant rendition of this beautiful sonata! Very enjoyable to listen to it!

Guido

[Mike W]

I can understand your obsession with this piece Brian. Your rendering is fluent and delightful. Well played, sir.

[AndréM]

Beautiful rendition.
Awesome smooth playing.
Cool Epiphone 335.

AndréM

AndréM

[Paul S.]

I was just yesterday talking to another of my guitar buddies about his rendition of the first movement of Mahler’s Third Symphony. NOT!

That you would contemplate interpreting Schubert on an electric guitar playing chords and the melody on mainly one string — and manage to convey the beauty and sophistication of the music in the process — is flat out astounding. Bravo!

Next you should try Chopin’s Opus 29.

[James B]

Lovely rendition, Cloughie. You’ve got some sophisticated musical taste. Nice job of working it out on your guitars.

James

[Alan L]

What a great idea. Love the arrangement, that came out really good. 👍

[Mark T]

So, so pretty and beautifully executed, Cloughie – I can easily hear why this has become an obsession with you – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Stacey]

Great job Cloughie. Very nice tone selection.

Stacey

[Andy N]

That’s the 21st down. Just 20 to go?
That was quite a challenge and incredible to get it transcribed to a guitar. Brilliant

[JoLa]

Now that’s a challenge for champions! Very ambitious project, and it sounded very sweet and sophisticated at the same time. I recognized some parts, it must have been tricky to transpose it to the guitar, especially the rhythm, I think? 🤔
Not only that, but also to make it your own. You’ve definitely succeeded in both, Brian.

🎸JoLa

[sunjamr]

Well that’s about as different as it gets, and well played Brian. I think I’ve heard that sonata before. I flashed back to a long time ago when I was a kid. I believe my mom had a 33-1/3 rpm record which included it.

Sunjamr Steve

[Mike D]

Wow very well played and inspiring !

Live on planet Earth ? You got the blues.

[Bill]

Not many of us interpreting classical pieces…very nice!

[JoeD1]

That sounded beautiful Cloughie! Really well done.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Martin W]

Beautifully played and quite a challenge you set yourself, all parts went together very cohesively, I’m not familiar with the tune but it does sound good .

Martin

[Michael L]

Hi Cloughie, I really enjoyed this one. I love how you were inspired by Schubert and created your own take on the piece. Very dramatic and melodic. Great to hear it!

[Manfred M]

What a great idea, Cloughie. And how great the whole thing turned out. You created a very special vibe with this piece and your playing, which is very unique. Wonderful contribution!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom.
The next Meetup will take place on May 31

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in the next days..

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Dieter]

Wonderful melody and playing.

Dieter

[KT]

Enjoyed listening to your presentation.
Well done!

[Author]

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