Asturias (Leyenda) by Isaac Albeniz played by Virginia Luque

[Ignaciomrozas]

Duette*

[Ignaciomrozas]

Great playing...but that is just about the most beautiful guitar and wonderful sound I have heard. I want one!!!....Now!!! Can you and I duettte sometime?

Warmest Regards

[skylilly1]

My eyes are popping out of my head! You play so well and your guitar is spectacular!

[arfurlife]

A thousand bravos. Just when I thought I was sick to death of hearing this piece I came across your version and was stunned. So much feeling, intensity and atmosphere. What a superb player you are. You really bring the best out of the music and that Hauser guitar( how I would love one of those). I am into making music and arty videos at the moment, done a few of myself playing, including that piece....how I wish I had an artist like you to film and record. I would be in Heaven. Bravo again.

[Liantotjahjoputro]

Fantastic Asturias......

[mk0879vg]

It's nice I like a lot of parts, except the recording quality. I like the notes right at 3:00 and 3:03 a little more articulated, slowed down and defined. Good job. I can't crituque the tone so much because of the recording quality. One thing, don't flip hair back with your hand, distracting. But good job and keep going!

[tijsgroen]

Wauw! Very good.. Many do not have this 'thing' about them. Whatever they play, it may be technically brilliant, but it doesn't do it..

Anyway, to keep a long story short >>>

You have got it!!  Awesome!

[Deliata]

Hi Virginia

very good work well done who is the guitar maker Manuel Contreras ?

[nalgas102]

hola guapa tocas muy bien se ve que lo disfrutas yo estoy sacando asturias ya llevo dos semans y me esta costando trabajo algun consejo que me pueda ayudar saludos no dejes de tokar!!!!!

[mrpouchain57]

fantastic performance, very very nice........overwhelming!!!! she is very overwhelming...

[raffi719]

a complete guitarist.

[Iaokanan29]

you're so talented and cute!

[TheAlexlovable]

u r an awesome guitarist..a great woman and a huge inspiration...much love and respect

[cogedorbarato]

i never heard about this piece but now i fell in love with it. Thanks for that virginia :)

[axioncable]

This is the best performance of this song that I've seen

[animascat]

simply lovely.

[LeoLovesNature]

hot ass

[lordbaphomet]

Great performance

[grab1piece]

I am sure you practiced and played a lot. I wonder how you could keep your left hand fingers such beutiful shapes?

[MrGuitarreno]

ESA GUITARRA PARA SER DEL A~O 1933 SE VE MUY BIEN COMO LE HACES PARA CONSERVARLA.GRACIAS POR TU ARTE.

[MultiRemito]

Hello Virginia, great work and interpretation ! I play this piece also.

Each person has his way to play it, but yours is very dramatic. The way you move your fingers seems weird to me... But that's your playing, and it's beautiful!

[XxEDGExXRulezXx]

cool

[Elcarmo]

Lindo. Gosto muito de sua interpretação.

[luis9101979]

tu interpretacion es furete decisiva, me gusta aunque podria mejorar me encanta la fuerza, intenciones buena, muy buena ademas muy bonita tambien

[astroiguana]

My teacher just gave this piece to me. Thank you for showing me a lovely way to play it. :-)

[juliomaroc]

how long it is gonna take me to learn to play flamenco guitar ?i just get new guitar and looking for teacher ...is there any advice for beginner like me ? how can i learn easily ?win time ? thank you your amazing artist ...i always watch your videos again and again ,never get enough ,it seems that you were born with guitar in your hand ..

[cititrader]

The Best" chops" the best

[metal19931993]

I just discovered you. You are a wonderful guitarist. Congratulations. Greetings from a former guitar student turned translator.

[moreiraguitar]

Hi Virginia!!! It is been a while.

But what a performance!!!

[ampworx1972]

beautiful... oh, and the song too!!!!!!!

[sopadeajo1]

Sin saber casi nada de guitarra, qué fuerza y nitidez noobstante puedo apreciar en esta interpretación y que buen entendimiento de lo que debe ser la fluidez (que no rapidez) de esta obra. Me gusta más que la versión de Segovia o la de Williams. Pero no soy más que un neófito amante de la música. Que mi osadía -al escribir esto- sea perdonada.

[tubuic]

You are the first that play the harder version of Layenda for the left hand and it sounds beautiful. Thank you.

[minnesotabongo]

well concieved and executed

my favites of this are the 1950's recording of maria luisa anida and 1980's , manuel barueca

[RidaneP]

Bof l'interpretation...

[nationalguitarplayer]

I'm in love :)

[leiparov]

It's simply amazing !!!!

[ManosRK]

she looks like a bit constipated hehe but EXCELLENT performance and that background noise is ANNOYING

[TalBlaiser]

So beautiful! except for the crappy noise on the background...

A marvelous performance ' hats off ' to you.

[AlexM1979]

that "photographer" deserves a nasty scolding....

[Satch6strings]

best version i've heard

it's amazing to see how pasion you put when you're playing

bravo

[ThomasSaverio]

The pentultimate version of this piece is by John Williams. Much lighter technique but very powerful interpretation. There's an excellent performance on youtube where he plays Leyenda in the hall of the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Definitely worth a listen.

[bavlara]

I can hear the bass very well. Not quite sure what you are saying. I let my ears not my eyes be my guide and my ears tell me this is a flawless performance. Bravo Virginia!!!

[pieceofmind616]

I disagree with some of the comments as far as technique is concerned Ana Vidovic definately has an upper hand...

my honest critical opinion

because of the flicking thumb she never has a well defined bass voice that is even affecting the crecendo..

and excessive use of vibrato..the tension in her hand gets conducted to her guitar

[ihcho]

Virginia totally rocks!

[s3lish]

i have played classical guitar for a while, and it is my goal to one day play asturias very very well, and I think I have a new standard to attain :) thank you

[Akerfeldtfan]

The intensity of the tremolo and full chords in the main motif really make this performance for me. My first and still favorite rendition of this piece.

[RaDi486]

Great! I prefer your version than Ana Vidovic.

[HALLOW198]

la mejor version de esta cancion que he escuchado

[bavlara]

I have heard this piece many times but never this good. Fabulous.

[SlAsHfamme]

you are just great!!! favolosa !! :)

[peterwdeng]

Made me mad to hear so much noise in the background when the performance is so good :(

[TheLarghetto]

Great performance!

[MrMrMikayel]

Bravissimo!!!!!!!

[klamath1016]

Great piece of artistry.

BRAVO! BRAVO!

[pascal27able]

Soul! Great artist!

[soulmony]

wow she likes "impetuoso" tempo, impulsive even to the point of misstreating the strings lol but its good I like it. she play the full chords in a very violent fashion & still sounds good.

The middle part is almost disconnected but still keeping its integrity.

Hum first part is like a quest where you dont exactly know whats gonna happen and the 3rd part (after the middle slow) is like a recall, a memory (to the past) so both parts are very similar but must be played with different emotions

[VirginiaLuque]

Don't rush the process of learning it. Work in the arpegios section as an exercise till you gain confidence, thinking always to emphasize the basses which carry the melody. Check the original score always for improvement.

Good luck.

I'll be posting a couple of pieces from my last dvd pretty soon.

Virginia Luque

[alfresga]

@VirginiaLuque Hola si eres española supongo que hablas español, porque no tienes una pagina web o algo asi donde uno pueda preguntarte cosas y puedas dar tips para la guitarra, estoy impresionado con tu tecnica y no se si me podrías dar algunos consejos en español :P

[jimijamz2234]

Sweet! Thanks for the post...we'll be back!

[johnquantran]

Wow, you amaze me. I had listen to many famous guitarist but somehow you stand out the most. The tonal strucks me the most. I had stop playing this piece for a long time but now I'll re-practice this piece again. How far different from your version with Segovia? --John Tran

[VirginiaLuque]

it's very different. First section is changed in order to sustain bass notes that carry the melody. Although I can not change the chords from arpegios to regular chords because we have the disadvantage of not having a pedal like the piano. It doesn't sound that good. Second section also very different, closer to the original, almost identical. It's always a compromise but it's the closest I've got to the piano score.

Virginia Luque

[johnquantran]

Just revisited other players like J. Williams,Vidovic, Angel Romero to name a few but your version still stand out the best. Do you have your transcription at any music store like Guitar Salon or Guitar Solo by any chance? So what make your style stand out the most. Is it because you have a good Hauser or something else that is secret? Thanks again. --John Tran

[MrPasamu]

Crazy woman.. :-)

Wonderfull...

[Alpha24985]

VERY GOOD WORK ... though i would prefere the one played by the great maestro Farid Al Atrach (the king of Oud). you can find it here watch?v=UtiK4QPLhWg

[curci03]

This song comes to me from my childhood, I listened it so often that´s still sounds into my mind, I love this song, what can I say from Virginia Luque, what a delicious, what a nice interpretation, thanks to you for giving us so beautiful perfomance. By the way, I liked the information about this piece, it´s so complete.

[kowoyoshi]

Wow!

[Zstriker]

wow thats a hauser? must of cost over thousands

[VirginiaLuque]

It's a Hauser 1933 spruce/brazilian rosewood. A Segovia model with a zero fret.

I think it's sound is truly a jewel.

I'm very lucky to own it.

Virginia Luque

[Zstriker]

Zero fret? whats that? is it a fret that sounds like the open strings?

[VirginiaLuque]

It is an additional fret that Hauser 1 used to add in some of his guitars, believing that mantains the same quality of tone even when you play the strings opened.

A very clever system that proves his refined knowledge in about sound.

Virginia Luque

[artrndmidnight3]

Finding a great performance of this piece is rare and this is one of those rare occasions.

This is pure excellence.

[Zoyenne]

Brilliant,,,,,,mesmering...int­oxicating,,, magnificent piece of music by a magnificent musician.......aaaahhhhh!

[marasmo65]

very good, just at time ,i like your interpretation. my inglish is very bad, but more left comprensive,congratulations and good look.

[mamdooha]

i love your playing very strong and tender

[fenderboy88]

passionate and well executed in general

[therealnashvillerock]

Hey Virginia,

Sorry I missed you at MTSU Guitar festival. Amazing performance.

Keep up the smokin' chops,

Chris "Nashvillerocker" DiMella

[lucholincheo]

exelent guitarrist

[loungeking1]

The sound guy should be SHOT!

Unbelievable performance!

[ericcharlesmokotoff]

Hi Virginia, maybe you remember me, I was a student of yours in Forest Hills in the late 1980's. I went to your Carnegie Debut. I still have the program and some exercises you wrote for me, You are fabulous - where can I get you cd? Keep playing, your skills are as beautiful as you.

[rtw1313]

Don't think I can post a URL, but she has an album on CD Baby. Good stuff.

[bavlara]

She is so good it's scary. I saw her in concert and the audience was mesmerized by her. I think she could well be the best out there. What an angel!!

[robertoneves26]

SHOW, GOOD!!!!!!!

[samirhossain]

I love the way u played it !

using the "e" and "b" strings instead of playing the "b" string twice.....so much easier :)

[VirginiaLuque]

I must say that the way I did my transcription and as well in this video is more difficult. It's the way the original piano score shows. The repeat of the "b" string is an acomodation to the guitar that was brought to us by a great master,Segovia who thought it was more suited to the instrument then.The way I do it makes it more complicated for the left hand because we need to sustain the basses to the maximum and change at the same time the fingering for those octaves that move constantly.

[VirginiaLuque]

If you prefer the version with the repeat of the second string, and if you think it is a little bit hard for your right hand I recomend you if I may, to file your nails in order to stay closer to the strings.

Long nails get on the way and invite you to miss the strings. As a result your right hand gets tired. I recomend you to do more tremolo exercises to keep a more relaxed fixed right hand, minimizing the fatigue that causes the struggle of staying still with your right hand and long nails

[samirhossain]

You answered my questions before i asked :) .....Since my nails grew it keeps on getting in the way but if i shorten my nails i cannot play other songs that well.....should i try to find an ideal length for my nails? How can i find an ideal length for my nails if i can play this song better with shorter nails and other songs efficiently with longer nails?

by the way, i tried to play this song like ure style, there is compensation, left hand movement

Take Care

[VirginiaLuque]

Getting used to shorter nails is a process that needs to be adressed with patience. At first, you notice your fingers get stucked on the strings and motion becomes more complicated. First, study pieces with less technical demand in general, so you can focus on the new right hand distance and then you'll be able to gain the confidence little by little. I recomend nails never above the flesh of your fingertips. It's not easy but in a long run you'll feel good about it. Requires....

[VirginiaLuque]

....more of your attention constantly.

The purpose is getting the best sound possible from the guitar and avoiding the harshness that nails mostly produce.

Nails make motions easier but in my opinion I think they are not very rewarding.

Good luck

[xiaoyuanz]

I love your energy!

[muskratbyte]

Amazing!!!! I'm learning to play classical guitar - this is the one piece that I've vowed to play one day. I was spellbound listening to this.

[RB3Gibson]

Virginia, you are an awesome musician! I love the way that you play both classical and flamenco guitar. Wonderful!

[greda1984]

Awe inspiring. When/where is your next concert?

[Emmadamoudi]

very very very good

your play guitar is so beautiful

Emmad

[dsi1]

Thanks for playing this and the others in your own way. The sound that you hear in your head is not like all the others which is gratifying to my jaded ears. I am grateful.

[donPabloArturo]

Good Afternoon Virginia

Good played Leyenda. Who made Your guitars?

Greet

Artur

[VirginiaLuque]

The guitar I'm playing with is a Hermann Hauser I,1933, brazilian rosewood.

The other one is a flamenco, Arcargel Fernandez 1960,cypress. The flamenco will be played in my next video, this week.

Thanks for your comments.

[cheriebibo]

Just beautiful, Virginia! Thank you for the beautiful music!

[Cyrloud]

hello Virginia

great playing, great passion

thanks

[gkertsopoulos]

Congradulations Virginia on an excellent interpretation of a piece called Leyenda which is A LEGEND and not a fairy tale, you give the fiery content of a legend, 5***** and a favorite, Bravo, Yorgos

[kelborgui]

Hi Viginia!

One of the versions prettier than already I heard! Excellent guitar, excellent arrangement, excellent interpretation! I loved its vibratos, you he has much expression and feeling to play!

Cheers.

Kelvin Borrero

[ustarac]

Sei bravissima! Sei stata un'ottima allieva dello scomparso grande Maestro Andrés Segovia. Grazie, Virginia.

[JAGAE]

this is really great. Love it. Jan :-)

[mylaknoc2]

You are a very talented artist. I really enjoy listening to it. Bravo!

[rynam1217]

Preciosa interpretation for this "piece Asturias", the best I have heard, there is romance, fury, nostalgia and your command on the guitar chords is remarkable, olé Virginia! Love the sound of the castañuelas too!

[mjacintho]

I played this for my performance!!!

[jons142000]

This is a great example of Virginia's very special musicianship and technique. Ms. Luque's emphasis on quality of tone comes through so well - in fact, she uses virtually no nails on fingers 1-4, instead going much deeper into the string to produce such marvelous variety and tonal color.

Thanks for posting this marvelous instructional video ! 5 + stars.

I'd highly recommend her recent CD Por El Mundo for more examples like this

[amusdey]

excelente interpretacion Virginia siempre es un placer oirte.

saludos

[guitar1050]

I liked it.

[adilzahrani]

wow what a grate performance..

5 stars

adil