Rare Guitar Video: Nicola Hall plays Mertz Hungarian Fantasy

[Michajeru]

I don't really enjoy listening to music that sound rushed. 

[ubbuu]

lol!

[RB3Gibson]

In her day, Nicola Hall was an incredible talent!

[betterdayz2011]

Love the ending (the chords are different from the main edition pretty much everyone else uses). Is this a different edition? I'd love to get a copy

[san99k]

Amazing performed!!

[newislandguitar]

Amazing technique and emotion in this performance!!! and the audience responds accordingly !:)

[jmr1410]

I don't think she got on time for her wedding

[russellscottwalker]

I don't understand those who complain about a lack of feeling in this performance. I think the main purpose of this piece was to show off, but even so, she does inject life and colour despite the frenetic pace. From a purely technical point of view, this performance was superb - musically, I think it was satisfying. If you want depth of emotion, try listening to a more romanic piece.

[rtgorange7]

Super! Never see before such a faster chords.

[efstein]

Sadly, she can't play guitar anymore.  I saw her when she couldn't use her right hand index finger and she was still incredible. All you guitarist, make sure you are careful and don't over strain yourselves.

[0209KMK58]

Brilliant with lots of Soul

[velspir]

i know exactly how she injured her hand.. i almost did it myself, but i hadnt injured it to the point of it not being able to heal. its been a slow process.

[urbanguitarist]

holly shit =O that's just crazy .......

[blake1971]

For all Nicola Hall fans, be sure to catch her CD 'Cancions para guitara' by Billy Cowie. You can buy it on that composers website. She came out of retirement in 99 to record it. One last soulful entry from this fascinating guitarist. It may be her best recording.  Please release more music Nicola.

[lordavernal]

she is good but she looks like a robot

[lapislazuline]

that there is a woman,lordavernal.....it,s important to know the difference ;)

[FiatObscuritas]

SUPERB!!!!!!!!

[flazo68]

One day I would love to shake her hand.

One day I hope one day.

[ondrejcak82]

Mertz would by very happy to hear it.

[bicguitar]

No wonder she buggered her hand! Style over substance or what.

[guitalvaro]

Thats exactly why she screwed her hand, give it up people NOBODY will ever be more fast and virtuosic than paco de lucia, and he's still playing at 60.

Good luck into trying to imitate this. Now, if any real musician looks at this "performance" ...there's very little to rescue except the fact that "she's fast". No dynamics, no joint phrases in the czardas and...did she ever heard hungarian music for gods sake? Amazing WASTED talent...

[molanomo]

@guitalvaro

Oh jeez, Guitalvarito, don't be so harsh, that was a pretty cool video. The girl can play pretty good ;)

Hehe! Cheers.

~Your Pal.

[guitalvaro]

Hey!!

no doubt about that...but exactly because of that is that she CANT play now :P. She's a london....if she just had relaxed...god it would've been so amazing.

[fodera6]

@guitalvaro I agree she looks a little tense. I would have to put in a word for Gerardo Núñez as a player that is up there with Paco in the agility/speed dept. although as we all know that is but only one facet of a good musician.

[fodera6]

@guitalvaro You make a good point about, "if she had just relaxed." I am now reading, "The Art of Practicing," by Madeline Bruser and there is a passage that seems most relevant. "One of the most well-known examples is pianist Leon Fleisher, whose celebrated international career came to an abrupt halt when his right hand stopped functioning properly. Looking back on the torturous practicing that caused the tragedy, Fleisher commented...(cont.)

[fodera6]

(cont.)..."There was something macho about practicing THROUGH the pain barrier. Even when my hand was exhausted, I kept going. Although I thought I was building up muscle, I was, in fact, unraveling it." Tragic indeed. People need to take a page from Roland Dyens and other lighter players. It runs against the grain of today's modern "aesthetics", I know, but I couldn't care less. I prefer the sound it creates and it preserves my long-term well-being.

[kuan12345]

I sure miss Nicola's playing.

[fourplusseven]

Whatever happened to her?

If ever there was a 'Du Pre of the guitar' she (w/ apologies to all the other contenders) was it for me. She played the Vida Breve Dance like Bream *and* Williams together, and was better looking than both! And people here who think this is "lacking in soul" (pur-lease, it's supposed to be a virtuoso encore) -- you should hear her play the Bach chaconne.

Where is she now? Does she still play?

[glitzerperle]

oh gott wie krass!!!

[goodwin8x8]

Definitivamente una posesa del instrumento, además de bella mujer, es su interpretación, de Mertz practicamente insuperable en velocidad y nitidez.

[alumnouc]

increible , si bien la rapidez deja de lado la interpretacion , es increible la velocidad q alcanza esta mujer !!! bravo!!! no sabia de ella

[Guitarrista]

What horror!!

[retsmah24]

pretty virtuosic. overly indulgent though. good for you.

[capnpayne]

uhh this poster isn't nicola hall haha

[retsmah24]

Okay sorry, "good for you miss nicola," i mean then.. arent i just the silly one.

[capnpayne]

haha

[MasentoKamasuki]

incredibile!!!!!!!!! O__o

[MaxPainFlash]

Professional to the max!

Though, it seems to have no soul...

However, I am honored to hear this rare performance. Gread vid.

[thebeatcreeper]

no soul!! i think this is a case of beauty being in the ear of the beholder! this is effortless skill and execution.

[victoriavernigora]

Nicola Hall - amazing virtuoso ,great inspiration for women guitarists and not only.

I was lucky to hear this performance alive beeing there in the audience, Tychy 1989 (Poland)

Thanks for posting this video..

[Guitarrista]

Demasiado rápido ¿no?. ¿No podia respirar un poquito?.

[zeitboy24]

bravooooooooooooooooooooooo amazing

[marlonguitarist]

Impresionante

[gachtar]

Amazing!!

[snarfergarfer]

wow, awesome!