Classical Guitarist Luther Enloe - Cancion del Emperador by Narváes

http://lutherenloe.com

I teach classical guitar at Berry College in Rome, Georgia: http://berry.edu

Luys de Narvaes' (c.1500-1560) Cancion del Emperador (Song of the Emperor) is actually based on Josquin Desprez's (c.1440-1521), vocal composition Mille Regretz (A Thousand Regrets). It was common practice for vihuela, Spain's version of the lute, composers to set popular songs of the day for their instrument. This is primarily how the tradition of playing solo instrumental music was begun. Supposedly the favorite song of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, Narvaes named his version The Emperor's Song in homage. A translation of the original text reads "A thousand regrets in leaving you and going far from your loving face. I have great grief and grievous pain, so that soon people will see me end my days." This piece exemplifies the guitar's ability to handle multi voice textures and, as can be expected, the music reflects the deep sentiment of the lyric.

My studio recording of this piece is on my debut CD, Music for the Guitar, available through my web site: www.enloeguitarstudio.com.

This clip is taken from a 2003 recital in the Weaver room at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture in Bozeman, Montana (www.theemerson.org). Setting up and playing this recital was a bizarre experience... Just look at that backdrop! A traditional Irish band was performing in another hall the same time as I. Ten minutes before I was to begin playing Bagpipes started bellowing right under the open windows of my venue. Neither the audience nor myself knew how long they were going to go and fortunately they stopped right when I was to begin playing. All in all the performance when pretty well, and my friend Eric Hyppa brought his video camera so now I can share this video with you.

Thanks for watching!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Classical
• guitarist
• guitar
• narvaes
• cancion
• emperado
• emperor
• Luther
• Enloe
• performance
• music
• Sutherland
• UGA
• Berry College
• Georgia
• University Of Georgia
• Georgia Bulldogs
• Vihuela
• Renaissance Music
• Legato

[noviceblue]

Very nicely done! I prefer this piece played sans capo -  seems warmer somehow - more fitting the mood of the piece. Also appreciate the insights provided in your comments. Did you study in Bozeman?

[lutloe]

@noviceblue

Thanks for your comment Novice blue. I studied in Bozeman from the fall of 1991-through the fall of 1993. I started at MSU with Mark Tyers and while there I also took some lessons from Michael Videon and Craig Hall. In ‘94 I transferred to the University of Georgia to study with John Sutherland and never really left: after taking time off from school I went back to UGA and earned a Master of Music degree and this spring I’ll finish a Doctor of Musical Arts degree.

[leosgf]

BEautiful

BUT, the name of the songwriter is Josquin Després and the song's name is Mille Regrets de vous abandonner

[lutloe]

Thanks for commenting leosgf, the information you mention is included in my description of this video: you need to click the "(more)" hyperlink in the upper right corner of this page to access my notes.

[subtone]

Great playing!  I'm Just learning this one...

[SoulofNovember]

Amazing!

[MrSludov]

Sí, la canción es de Josquín, y la adaptación para vihuela de Narváez... El que crea que es fácil transcribir una chanson a 3 voces para un instrumento solista, que pruebe antes a hacerlo él mismo, a ver se le sale igual de bien...

[guidovg]

Well done!

[Augustusdavid]

You have a nice style. Enjoyed the performance!

[lute323]

Sounds very good. You play the Narvaes's piece noblely.

[TexasSizzle]

Leosgf Although you are right in that the composer of the original theme was Josquin it was Narvaez who adapted it to the Spanish vihuela. More than a mere intabulation Narvaez essentially recomposed his own piece based on Mille Regrets.

[guitaristdotcom]

I like the way you play. Good luck!