China Tour with Johannes Moller

In September 2014 I was privileged to go on tour in China with Johannes Moller. This was an 8 day whirlwind tour of diverse parts of China, around 6 concerts in 8 days. That's a lot of airports, hotels, concert halls, fans

Meeting Johannes at the airport in Shanghai.

and celebration dinners. This was sponsored by my partner and dear friend Alex Wang, marking 10 years in business together with this celebration tour featuring one of my favorite guitarists of all time, Johannes Moller.  

If two months seems like a long time to getting around to blogging about events, it's because it's taken me a while to digest the impact on my outlook and priorities. I think back to around 1975 when I attended the very first Carmel Classical Guitar Festival. As far as I know this was the first classical guitar festival in the USA. Before that I had no idea that there were other like minded people attracted to the sweet sounds of the guitar, at least not so many. There was a special moment in the middle of the festival, on a Friday afternoon at Sunset Center Theater. Richard Stover was giving a lecture with slideshow and recorded examples of guitar in Latin America. He was introducing names and sounds like Barrios, Bonfa, Falu, but the one who really shook me up was Leo Brouwer. He played a recording of the Eternal Spiral as played by Brouwer, and my mind cracked open wide. I finally heard visionary music played on the instrument that I loved, and I knew that anything was possible.

Backstage before the show in Shanghai.

The next time that sort of thing happened was about 3 years ago in San Louis Obispo, when I first heard Johannes Moller play. His performances of his own works, Song to the Mother, Ananda, Star in The Sky, Universe Within, this music did the same thing to me these 40 years later, it opened my mind wide. These pieces are mystical, idiomatic, pure expression of personal passion and the power of the guitar. This music strikes me as the descendant of Brouwer's original

Post-concert celebration dinner.
Plenty of food and drinks!

compositions, at least in the way that it has touched me. Now, since Johannes has been playing many concerts on my guitars, I have heard him often and continue to be moved by the power and immediacy of his compositions, and the presence of his playing. Over the 40 years of my career in the world of classical guitar I have heard many spectacular, inspiring players and moving music. What I long more than anything is creativity, imagination, adventure and personal expression in music. I've been lucky to experience this in many ways, and Johannes is the complete package. He is a virtuoso on any terms, but his ability to reveal such a mystical and passionate musical world through his own music writing is a very personal inspiration, and I love him for it.  

A full house at Johannes' concert in Guangzhou.

I have always advocated for a whole approach to the guitar and its music, this is how I became a guitarist, a composer, and a guitar maker. I appreciate hearing anything new exploring the possibilities of the instrument. I have a special affection for idiomatic classical guitar music that rises from of the instrument, and expands in smart and creative ways. Johannes is a great interpreter and performer, but it is his ability to put himself out there as a creator is most exciting, truly unique, and I think he really is just getting started.

So to go on this tour with Johannes was the fulfillment of a certain circle of life. He is an energetic boy, both disciplined and wild. He's a smart observer, both patient and restless. He's a true professional who puts his all into every performance. The hard work and highs

'Selfie' at the factory.

and lows of life on the road are crazy, and we definitely shared many of those things on this whirlwind tour of China. I got to listen to his program, every night in a different city, played on my guitar, and got to know and appreciate the music more and more for all the repeat listenings. I watched the response of the Chinese audiences hearing Johannes' music for the first time, loving it and wanting more. It was a break-through tour that is bound to lead to many opportunities in the emerging Chinese audience, for Johannes and for classical guitar. And it was a powerful personal reminder of the first purpose, the reason for all of the hard work that goes into guitar study, in the workshop, in business, and on the road; it's the music, and all the transcendent moments that music is responsible for. Johannes poked me, pushed me to remember. This has always been true, and it's still true, now more than ever.

Johannes and I with our tour manager, Joshua.  A very successful tour!

Iphone video of "Night Flame"

Kenny Hill

November 2014

From Venezuela to the U.S.!

Carlos Aurrecoechea is a fine guitarist from Venezuela. Last year, after a few months of correspondence he ordered a high end Signature guitar, a sight unseen. Because of very difficult political and economic policy issues in Venezuela it was very complicated for him to get "permission" to buy this guitar from the US, and an even greater challenge to manage the financial challenge from there. I was quite touched that he had the confidence to go through with this complicated and potentially risky transaction, I still don't understand all the barriers that he had to overcome. We made the guitar carefully and the best possible, and when it was done we held onto it until he was able to arrange travel to California to pick it up, he didn't want to rely on shipping, and I don't blame him.

It's an interesting phenomenon that a guitar like this actually seems to improve and mature even when it is just waiting, not even being played. Something happens, it matures, settles in, cures — I can't really explain it, but I have seen it many times. So when Carlos arrived this week to pick it up, the guitar really sounded amazing. Exceptional. It was good from the beginning, but after chilling for months it sounded even better. His playing is beautiful, I'm delighted that he will be playing it a lot in Venezuela. There seems to be a very strong and passionate guitar scene in Venezuela, and he is in the heart of it. It was really great to finally meet him and I'm grateful for the trust he had in the process.

Kenny Hill

November 2014

Omni Guitar Series: Kazuhito Yamashita

Last Friday night was the first concert of the Omni Guitar Series in San Francisco, Kazuhito Yamashita was the artist. Kazuhito is a friend for many years, and a few months ago he emailed to ask for a guitar to borrow for this concert. I guess he didn't want to travel with his regular guitar. He got to town on Sunday and I loaned him 3 guitars to try out, a spruce Signature, a cedar Signature, and a 630 7/8 size cedar Performance. We got together midweek for dinner and guitar stuff, and it was beautiful to listen to him try out the guitars and talk about them, but I had no idea what he would do in concert, which one he would play — if any, no idea.

Friday night was also the first World Series home game for the Giants, and there was some concern about concert attendance competition from the game, but it worked out fine. The SF Conservatory concert hall was quite full, and I still didn't know which guitar he was going to play. Then as it turned out, he played all three. I was kind of stunned. He played music by Bach, Sor, Mompou, and his wife Keiko Fujiie and by his daughter Kanahi Yamashita, plus several encores that I couldn't name. The range of style and mood and technique was expansive, so beautiful, so thoughtful.

His playing is in a class of its own, in a world of his own. He is legendary for playing arrangements and compositions and collections on a technical level that couldn't be possible, but he does it with both ease and intensity unlike anyone else. His performance is orchestral, from the most tender to the most ferocious, he commands the music and the instrument effortlessly, I soaked up every note. My wife pointed out that the way he moves with the guitar, he fans the guitar in front of him, spreading out the music before the audience like a gift. I've heard him play a few times and I never know what to expect. This was a program so beautifully expressive and inclusive, I will never forget it.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to hear him again, and for his generosity in playing these guitars and putting them through their paces. I was humbled to have the instruments in his hands and to hear how effectively they served his purposes. I learned so much listening to him control and play with the guitars, this is what they are meant to do, and they sure enough did it. He had the two Signature guitars for only a few days, and he played the little 630 for the first time during sound check just before the concert. This guy can do anything. Kazuhito is an enigmatic person, smart, quiet, confident, profound and generous. This was a lifetime experience, and I'm very honored to know him.

Kenny Hill

October 2014

William Kanengiser Concert in Monterey!

Local Classical Guitar Fans!

Carmel Guitar Society, Friedman Eye Center & Hill Guitar Company
proudly present

World-renown guitar soloist and member of the L.A. Guitar Quartet, William Kanengiser, is performing a live concert right here in Monterey, and Hill Guitar wants you there!

WHEN: Saturday October 11th, 2014 @ 7:30 PM

WHERE: Maritime Museum of Monterey

(Stanton Theater) - 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA

Tickets are available online at CarmelGuitarSociety.org 

or at the door the evening of October 11th.

Tickets are $25 for non-CCGS members and $20 for CCGS members.

A brief bio on William Kanengiser:

William Kanengiser is a Grammy Award-winning classical guitarist. He is one of the founding members of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ). Kanengiser holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he also serves as a faculty member. Kanengiser has won Grammy Awards with the LAGQ, which received the award for best classical crossover album at the 47th Grammy Awards for Guitar Heroes; he has also won for his contribution to Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's performance of Golijov's Ainadamar: Fountain Of Tears, which won the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording in 2007.

This will be an evening to remember, buy tickets now!

William Kanengiser Website

Johannes Moller & Laura Fraticelli Guitar Duo Coming to the U.S.!

Have you heard the news?  Johannes Moller and Laura Fraticelli Guitar Duo are coming to tour in the U.S.!

They are promoting the upcoming release of their new album "Mertz:  Guitar Duets" which is due out on Itunes on October 7th, 2014.  They will be performing in Texas and Alabama.  Listed below are the tour dates and where to get the tickets. 

September 27th: Blanco Performing Arts Center in Blanco, TX.

Tickets are $35: Buy Here

September 28th: Colonial Hills United Methodist Church in San Antonio, TX.

Tickets are free (donations are accepted): Buy Here

October 5th: Mount Vernon Music in Mt. Vernon, TX.

Tickets are $10 for MVM members/ $15 for non-members:  Buy tickets at venue

MVM Website

October 6th: Outreach Performance in Mt. Vernon, TX.

MVM Website

October 8th: Austin Guitar Salon at the Pfeiffer Home in Austin, TX.

Tickets are $40 member/ $50 non-member: Buy Here

October 9th: Classical Cactus in Austin, TX.

Tickets are $10: Buy Here

October 15th: Laidlaw Performing Arts Center in Mobile, AL.

Tickets are $8 General Admission:  Buy tickets at venue

October 16th: Northwest Florida State University in Niceville, FL.
Buy Tickets at venue

October 19th: Christ The King Episcopal Church in Santa Rosa Beach, FL.

Buy Tickets Now!

You will not want to miss this!

Johannes Moller Hill Guitar for Sale!

Are you a fan of Johannes Moller?  Do you love his Hill Guitar that he gets his beautiful sound from?  Then we have great news!  He is selling one of his Hill Guitars!  It is his 2012 Hill Signature Doubletop!  He has played it all over the world for about 2 years and has had great success with it.  However,  he is parting ways with it and we want you to know! 

This is a used standard 2012 Hill Fan-braced SIGNATURE model with arched case. Played by 

Johannes Möller for 2 years.

Johannes 2012 Signature Model

Specifications

• Soundboard: Doubletop European spruce/Nomex/Western red cedar fan-braced
• Back/Sides: East Indian rosewood
• Neck: Spanish cedar
• Fingerboard: ebony, elevated
• String Length: 650mm
• Finish: French polish
• Tuners: Sloane ebony Stippled
• Lightweight truss rod
• sound ports
• Overall length: 39"
• Body length: 19"
• Upper bout: 11"
• Lower bout: 14.375"
• Body depth: 3.5 - 4"
• Fingerboard @ nut: 51mm

Indian Rosewood Back/Sides, Sloan Ebony Stippled Tuners,
& Doubletop European Spruce and Western Red Cedar

This is a beautiful guitar and if you are a fan of the guitar itself or a fan of Johannes, this is the perfect fit for you!

Selling for $7,500.  Visit the Hill Guitar Website for more info.

But wait, there's more!

Johannes Moller and Laura Fraticelli Guitar Duo are coming to tour in the U.S.to promote their October 2014 release of their latest record "Johann-Kaspar Mertz: Guitar Duets." In just a little over a week they will be performing in Texas, Alabama, and Florida!  If you are in or near the area be sure to grab tickets! Tour dates listed below:

September 27th: Blanco Performing Arts Center in Blanco,TX.

September 28th: San Antonio, TX.

October 5th: Mount Vernon Music in Mt. Vernon, TX.

October 6th: Outreach Performance in Mt. Vernon, TX.

October 8th:  Classical Cactus in Austin, TX.

October 9th:  Austin Guitar Salon in Austin, TX.

October 15th:  Laidlaw Performing Arts Center in Mobile, AL.

October 16th:  Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, FL.

You will most likely need to purchase tickets through the venue.

Johannes Moller Website

Moller-Fraticelli Guitar Duo playing at Siccas Guitars, Germany.

You won't want to miss it!

Meet our new friends over at Siccas Guitars in Germany!

The location of Karlsruhe, Germany.

On my recent trip to the Iserlohn Guitar Symposium to show guitars, I had the good fortune to be set up right next to the exhibit of Siccas, a classical guitar dealing business from Karlsruhe, Germany. From the first few minutes of meeting them I had a very good feeling about the guys and about the company, and as we hung out for 4 more days it turned out really nice. The two men representing the company are Mirco Sicca and Manuel Luchena. I liked them both from first meeting, and as I got to know them I recognized good business skills, love for the guitars and the work, and great attitude. They seemed to have as good a time as I did at the festival, and I think it was eye opening for them as to the high level of accomplishment and passion of classical guitar players there.

Kenny Hill with Mirco Sicca & Manuel Luchena.

Most of the other exhibitors at the festival were individual guitar makers showing their own work. Siccas is different, they are a business selling concert level nylon string guitars from contemporary guitar makers, and also dealing in  historic and collectible guitars. In their display and inventory they have a number of contemporary European guitar makers, and they also had a 1912 Herman Hauser, a 1929 Esteso, an 1840 Lacote, and a Daniel Friedrich, maybe some other secret stash, all available for people to try out. This is of course a big draw. And all the instruments — new and old — are for sale.

Their website includes a section featuring demo videos by a lot of concert players, including my good friends Johannes Moller and Eva Beneke, so I felt as though I already knew them. They've been in business for over five

Laura Fraticelli and Johannes Moller playing at Siccas. Watch here.

years and seem to have found a good niche and are doing quite well. Siccas is now carrying my guitars, they have two Signature and one Performance model in stock. This is good for me, I have many fine artists playing my guitars in Europe, and in Germany in particular, and I've never had a reliable outlet. Now interested players can visit or contact Siccas and see what happens. I feel good about having my guitars available in Germany and the rest of Europe. Although there is a long history and deep tradition of classical guitar there and many fine builders, my guitars are different, and I would like to think fresh, nice, and a new and somewhat different option to traditional choices. I hope there is room for that.

Please check out their website and especially if you are in Europe visit them or contact them. If your experience is anything like mine, you'll be glad you did. Although I didn't have time to visit their shop this trip, I hope to do so next time i'm in Europe, probably March or April 2015. See you there?

Kenny Hill

September 2014

Take a look around at Siccas Guitars!