• AUTHOR

    Mark Bussey is a classical guitarist » who lives and plays in the Twin Cities. His day job involves a variety of » » technology and web related projects.
  • Recordings

    Andrew York: The Current

    December 29th, 2009

    Piece of the Month: December 2009
    The Current by Andrew York

    It’s been a hectic month, so instead of posting something more seasonal, I thought I would polish up a piece from my concert program last month.  It’s a beautiful short piece that I really enjoy playing; hope you’ll like it as well.  And maybe “The Current” isn’t such a bad theme as we find ourselves drawn toward a fresh year.

    Best wishes for a joyful and happy 2010!

    Francisco Tarrega: Adelita

    December 1st, 2009

    Piece of the Month: November 2009
    Adelita by Francisco Tarrega

    Here’s a piece to compliment Lagrima which I posted earlier this year.  Hope you enjoy.

    Leo Brouwer: Ojos Brujos

    October 31st, 2009

    Piece of the Month: October 2009
    Ojos Brujos by Leo Brouwer

    I just played this piece at the Minnesota Guitar Society’s OpenStage.  October’s theme was spooky, scary, or eerie music.  I’m not sure this is any of these, but the title translates to “Witch’s Eyes”.  I hope some of the enchantment comes through in my playing.

    Brouwer based the music on the melody of a song by fellow Cuban composer, Gonzalo Roig:

    OJOS BRUJOS
    I´m mad keen to escape
    from some eyes I saw yesterday
    witch’s eyes [ojos brujos] which looking at me
    have wanted to fascinate me
    always fixed on me.

    That’s why when I look at them
    my emotion is so huge
    as if a sea made of sapphire
    snatched in a whisper
    my soul and my heart.

    (Translation from the website of the municipal choir of Caspe, Spain)

    J.S. Bach: Sarabande from Third Cello Suite

    May 31st, 2009

    Piece of the Month: May 2009
    Sarabande from J.S. Bach’s Third Cello Suite

    This is part of a work in progress.  Over the course of the next few months, I hope to post all the movements from the suite.  I really loved the Sarabande when I first heard a recording of Mstislav Rostropovich playing the full suite on cello.  The guitar doesn’t lend itself to the long, slow, sustained notes that the cello can project: part of the challenge performing this transcription is giving it a graceful, stately feel despite the guitar’s limited sustain.

    Joao Pernambuco: Degnoso

    April 30th, 2009

    Piece of the Month: April 2009
    Degnoso by Joao Pernambuco 

    Phew, just under the wire for April! I’ve been working on this piece on-and-off since the holidays. The Pernabuco pieces are great pieces to play at cafes and coffehouses.  Everyone seems to connect with this happy dance music, and it’s plenty of fun to play as well!