4th July, 2018
Classical guitarist, Alan Goldspiel, was invited to perform at The American Village in Montevallo for the third year in a row. The performances were part of American Villages annual Independence Day celebrations and required Goldspiel to return to his role as an 18th Century Spanish guitarist.
As an 18th Century Spanish guitarist, Goldspiel was required to wear a period-specific costume despite the soaring July temperatures and humidity. He was also asked to perform three concerts (1:00pm, 2:30pm, and 4:00pm) of music from the 18th Century while engaging with the audience in character. Dr. Goldspiel, Music Department Chair and Professor at the University of Montevallo, was a perfect candidate for the part.
A natural performer and educator, Goldspiel mesmerized and entertained the attentive audiences with his skillful playing, sense of humor, and tales of the composers whose pieces he performed. Much to the delight of the crowd, Goldspiel delivered the content as though the composers themselves could walk into the Colonial Chapel performance at any moment.
Goldspiel performed works that were roughly composed during the last part of the 18th century and early 19th century. Selecting the repertoire for these performances was a particular challenge due to the nature of the classical guitar literature at that time. The program included many works from composers who are not as familiar with audiences today, transcriptions of classical period composers such as Franz Joseph Haydn, and some early works of Fernando Sor.
When asked how he got involved in the yearly celebrations at American Village and what these performances meant to him, Dr. Goldspiel stated “It has become such a nice yearly experience to bring live classical guitar music to audiences attending the festivities at the American Village. Where else can my performances be included between a cornamuse-playing consort and the “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech by Patrick Henry, himself!”
For more information about American Village click here.
For more information about the Music Department at the University of Montevallo click here
