Christopher Parkening - Spanish Dance No. 1 (Duet)

[trifuga44]

ok#1 "Parkening and his gay lover play De Falla" don't these Elitist perform anywhere but the the palace. i bet that David Brandon guy is way better than Parkening. he co-authored parkenings method books. i bet he did everything =P

[variationsonathemeof]

I like Parkenings confidence and proud when he plays this piece.

[dontpooponmeplease]

Parkening is amazing. Segovia once told him that "one must be at least 50 years old before one can play 'Chaconne (from Violin Partita No.2, Bach)' well. Parkening performed it perfectly when he was 19!

[trifuga44]

@dontpooponmeplease haha Segovia said that. another i can add to the list of Segovia's Jackass statements. i bet thats when he learned it well =P. Bach wrote the Sonata's and Partitas for solo violin well before he was 50.

[telus00001]

Absolutely amazing..... I love it. Been a fan for many many years.

[Geotubest]

and not one hair moved the entire time.

[maxquad21]

Segovia would be proud of Mr Parkening. Supposedly one of his favorite students.

[iownallnoobs]

i dont really the tone, too naily

[CraftyGtrist]

too bad this wasnt the actual performance... OR if it isw, why is it so out of sync?? like WAY off...

[CraftyGtrist]

too bad this wasnt the actual performance...

[BTBHSOHBOY]

Amazing. Pure talent.

[Liantotjahjoputro]

Bravo..... Fantastic...!!!

[dr0berts]

Oh my god that was extraordinary. How that guitar does not explode in his hands with all of his power baffles me.

[lotte422]

Magnificent!  I am stunned by the beauty and precision of this performance.

[atoam]

Unbelievable talent. Both are phenomenal.

[germandospassos]

Christopher is the Greatest guitar player that set foot on this Earth!

[vastman]

Stunning performances; I must've listened to this about a dozen times already.

[Geotubest]

Drop dead amazing. Both of these guys.

[LIVEFREEPHIL413]

wow...this is amazing!!!

[classicalguitarist94]

It's hilarious to watch these morons comment on something they know nothing about! :)

[Keenanlevick]

Studied w/ David for 4 years at his private studio.Had the privilege of watching Parkening up close in rehearsal w/ the Lubbock Symphony, in concert, and a very brief lecture. They're both absolute masters and truly humble gentlemen, with TONS of mutual respect for one another. Sometimes it's better to not be critical, and just enjoy the years upon years of their absolute dedication, so that we may enjoy several minutes of wonderful sound. Pretty sure that's what they would appreciate most.

[wastrel09]

I'm sick of these YouTube idiots spoiling videos with inane comments and trying to come across as experts. So Parkening's technique sucks, eh? How many of you studied with Segovia? How many of you play dozens of concerts a year? How many of you have released multiple recordings? If you can do better than him, put your video up and show the world, but until your name is in lights, shut it, douchebags!

[ZzOoTtZz]

I wish to see more videos of David Brandon on here. His technique compared to Parkening's in this video is, well, much better. I'd like to note the curved wrist and the high thumb of Parkening. I realize he has big hands but, it still isnt quite a 'precision' grip. I personlly wouldnt teach a student to play that way but, just goes to show that professionals can get a great sound with less than stellar techniqe.

[brixstor]

This sounds excellent, I would really get a kick out of listening to a Segovia / Parkening duet. Would be legendary

[Timok67]

and I thought playing the root note was tough...

[dimstar4now]

Christopher Parkening - the master.

[ShameDawsomTV]

all you guys who are hating on christopher parkening are a bunch of idiots. Heavy metal is NEVER harder that classical songs. I mean look at his fingers!

[jakewake12]

Well lets just say this...he is better then everyone single one of us..quit arguing everyone and just enjoy his work

[ToddHolcombGuitar]

yea that was pretty nasty, and not nasty good. If you can't tell just search for the same tune by different people and you might find a difference. Great performance energy, but pretty abrasive on the ole' ear drum.

[aranphor]

I have news for you

Rockhalla1. Unlike children Parkening doesn't rate music as who can play the fastest. When you grow up you'll understand this.

[Rockhalla1]

I want to hear this dude try a rock song, I think he would fail at speed metal

[Geotubest]

Um..No. He'd hit it out of the park.

[Rockhalla1]

Nah, speed metal if its good enough can be way more difficult than any classical music. Although I would like to see him try Jordan by Buckethead and see his tapping skills. That plus kill switch would cause him to fail

[jakewake12]

are you kidding me...

[Rockhalla1]

No. He is an excellent classical guitarist but classical guitarists have trouble transitioning to modern rock songs. Its easy for a rock musician to play classical because that is usually where their roots. Even just a hendrix song would most likely throw him off because the thumb is added to many chords. He is a very precise guitarist and everything has to be his way. He even uses a footstool. A thrown in thumb would trip him up

[jconway1]

What rock musicians are you hanging out with? Most rock musicians' roots are stepped in blues music. And easy for a rock musician to play classical? Wow - you really have no clue what you're talking about :-) So thank you, your post greatly amused me.

[logan11687]

Fantastic.. I'm going through his book.. Amazing teacher and composer.

[bl00cloud]

i want to see him live!!!

[Aeetlrcreejl]

Isn't this composed by Granados, not Falla?

[PIOTILO]

This is the first spanish Dance from the Opera "La Vida Breve" BY MANUEL DE FALLA!! transcribed for guitar duet by E.Pujol.

[taagteam]

A lovely duet!

[Yosemite25]

most the people who comment on these guys have no clue. if you are so good to make judgement, show me your videos.

[bohemiaxxx]

我喜欢。

[blackakres]

I saw these two do this very song when they made that tour way back when. My only complaint: why the hell are these guys so in love with Ramirez guitars? Never understood the sound of those cedartop whoofers.

I've heard Chris play a spruce at his masterclass and it sounded much nicer :)

[brucefetter]

perhpas a contract of sponsorship

[DeadOriginal]

Shit, I would'nt be able to tell if they had pine tops, sounded good to me.

[1JenniferMM]

americanos??? eh?

[brucefetter]

taught be the americano segovia if that counts. seriously

[1JenniferMM]

aha..... ok thank you

[hadedorus]

2nd best version I've listened to (with 1st being Paco's).

[pengeaumont270508]

This duet is damn hard, i dont think this is a bad effort. It doesnt compare with the bream-williams recording though. I dont get parkenings right hand either, it doesnt look or sound very good.

[OssoEater]

I think you're just comparing Williams's right hand with Parkening's and drawing the conclusion that CK is different so it must not sound good. Have you really listened and went beyong looks?

[pengeaumont270508]

A really excellent right hand technique is developed my relaxing it as much as possible. Its quite clear to see just by looking that Parkenings hand is quite tense, and because of this he ends up clawing at the strings a bit rather than stroking his fingers across them which gives it a slightly harsher tone. So yeh they look different, but it is that difference that produces the contrasting sounds.

[robbourassaguitarist]

At 1:34, Parkening looks a bit frustrated with the fact the he wants to take it down, and Brandon keeps the tempo cooking. They seem a bit out of sync here.

Different interpretations, still, a great performance, and excellent playing.

[quelle987]

excellent interpretation.

[eniwgma]

Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar,

save perhaps two. - Chopin

excellent duo playing of la vida breve.

a very surprising and interesting performance by Parkening and David Brandon.

[radiologist301]

Parkening can't hold a candle to Williams.......

[inodoro7]

hey this isn't a spanish dance. I don't think it is unless it goes by different names. I know it's name is "dance from la vida breve By Falla". I might be wrong.

[zmrt69]

I also had the opportunity to meet him after a short Master's class he gave at ETSU in the Fall of 1996 the night before a public concert in Kingsport, TN at the Eastman Recreation Center. In speaking with him I noticed that his fingernails were quite long and inquired about it. He said that he would begin a concert season with them long like this and that over the tour they would dwindle down. I guess that's a sot of insurance policy against unintentional breaks, etc.

[julianwardguitar]

You are more likely to break them off when they are too long. A profeesional guitarist plays with his /her nails the same length and shape on all performances. He does have a very odd right hand technique- he holds the hand forced to the right, which eliminates all skin contact to the string- this is what causes the harsh, naily tone for which he is famed. I am genuinely surprised this doesn't casue him pain with that angle on the wrist.

[jconway1]

@julianwardguitar

Parkening is not famed for his "naily tone." Au contraire, his earlier recordings are absolutely beautiful and the tone is warm and deeply rich. Spanish Dance No. 1 is an earthier, more passionate piece and the 'naily' sound is perfect in this instance. Your comment definitely applies to Parkening in the 80's after his comeback - his sound lost its warmth. But he also changed his hand position - he keeps his hand perfectly in line with his arm nowadays.

[GuitaristoGitano]

Compare the two videos on youtube (the Bream/Williams) and the (Parkening/Brandon).

Which one faires better? Parkening always says, even in his "master classes" that Bream's facial gestures are more interesting than his playing. What A LIE!

[GuitaristoGitano]

You should know best Loewengarten.

Rexicano knows something about guitar and its music. Can't you hear that his sound is so naily? Is this the famous Parkening sound?

Or should I call it the wizard of Oz sound.

Listen To Bream and Williams they have got the tone.

[KarateCop]

GuitaristoGitano, while I agree that Parkening shouldn't talk about Bream in a disparaging way, you're comparing a live performance (Parkening/Brandon) with a pre-recorded version put to video (Bream/Williams). I own a couple of Bream tapes and it's always him 'playing' along with his recordings. If we're judging like that, then you'd have to compare Parkening's recorded version of this song which sounds fantastic.

Next time, make fair and accurate comparisons or don't even bother.

[Loewengarten]

Rexicano should let out his frustrations with his own guitar playing somewhere else.

[bobbobby1992]

christopher parkening = the most unappreciated guitarist of our time. He is the best people. Get over it . Ya he has hand problems now so he cant play like he used too but he was the best since segovia.

[1pen2books]

Fantástico !!! muy bien !! oleeeee !! two extraordinary "guitar maestros"!!

Maestro Paco de Lucia, maestro Yepes etc etc play as good as these two anglosaxon players.

If one close the eyes and listen to them....one doesnt know if those who play are spaniard or anglosaxon guitar players !!

They both are a wonder and it is an honour for our componist Manuel de Falla to be played by these two players. Viva Hispania, viva England and those two plyers !! oleeeeee

[thejugglenaut91]

bream and williams version is better

[charlyvibrando]

mmm... the sound of second guitar is better than sounds of Parkening!!!

Parkening has a very very fingernail sound!!!:S

[Loewengarten]

Excellent.

[notime2006]

great! i love this video so much.

[nmclay]

Nothing like the sound of a Ramirez played by maestro Parkening!

[teleman233]

Is it just me or is Parkening playing the melody.....Seems like he should be stronger. Like a vocalist. Parkening is prone to rush but I'm sure he would argue the energy of the piece and the melody pushes the tempo.

[Rexicano]

The arrangements are awful; Parkening takes all the melodies and fun parts and Brandon does the mopping.

Watch; Fred Benedetti and Dan Grant.

They play the piece poetically and without rushing it. For someone of vast Parkening's experience; rushing the hell out of music is an amateur's mistake. It really robs the music of it's expression.

[Trocovic]

maestro, Awesome!

[darknesstime]

thanks a lot and if you have the others duets like canon ,rossignol ,and drewerries accords post them too and thanks for postin those wonderful and brilliant masters

[lutloe]

Awesome video -- youtube needs more great Parkening performances!

[nyc3299]

yes - a million thanks for posting! Awesome!

[Loewengarten]

great performance by Parkening and Brandon.

[astronomerroyal]

Mr Crisis,

A million thanks for posting these Parkening videos. You are a man of you word.

[jmneal78]

Amazing! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this incredible duet.