One of Beethoven Radio’s Most Requested Classical Guitar Song
Jul 18th, 2007 by skanson.com
Rondo For Michael (When I leave This Earth) Classical guitar sounds beautiful when used in alternate tunings. This composition for the classical guitar with string trio makes use of not only a beautiful “open” tuning but also harp like chimes created by natural guitar harmonics.
This song is dedicated to guitarist Michael Hedges. Michael was a conservatory composition major who applied his classically trained musical background in combination with radical innovation to “reinvent” the steel-string acoustic guitar. He combined many unusual techniques on the acoustic guitar with a wide range of musical styles. The first two records Michael Hedges made - Breakfast in the Field and Aerial Boundaries - were milestones for the acoustic guitar.
“In December of 1997, Michael Hedges was taken from us. His music is some of the most inspiring I have ever heard and I regret the fact I never met the man. He has given me hours of pleasure and this piece is dedicated to him. Thank you, Michael. All I wish to be as a composer, you embodied. You can find his music at www.nomadland.com. In all my composition and guitar playing I try to emulate a quote by Michael when he said ‘I’m not trying to play the guitar. I’m trying to play music.’” - Darren Curtis Skanson
You can hear the full song by requesting it at Beethoven.com-just click the button to the left!
Darren Curtis Skanson (1967 to present) American composer. Encouraged in music from a young age, Skanson began singing, playing instruments, and composing as early as he can remember. At 13 he took his first classical guitar lesson and began a partnership with the classical guitar that has produced a wide variety of music. After an outstanding collegiate career studying classical guitar, composition, and recording science, Darren spent the early part of the 1990’s touring and composing for both the progressive band Mata Hari and violinist Malcolm Watson. Embarking on his solo career in 1995, his composition output exploded with works for classical guitar, acoustic fingerstyle guitar, 12 string guitar, cello, and violin. Skanson is known mostly for his classical guitar compositions and arrangements of Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, and other classical composers. Skanson continues to record, compose and perform out of his Denver, Colorado base. His discography currently includes 10 compact discs of classical guitar arrangements and original work with over 200 pieces to his credit. As well as playing solo, he performs with his trio of classical guitar, violin, and cello aptly named The Skanson String Trio.