No problem with what you are saying. But (in my opinion) Williams gets into a bit of speculation when he says Segovia plays a certain way because it’s too hard to do it any other way or the correct or better way. This is tending to degrade the artist and make yourself look better. It’s completly unnecessary for Williams to do this, especially when the artist in question is dead and not here to defend himself. Still, as I said, I am willing to consider some of what he says simply because he is John Williams. But in the end, I think I have lost a bit of respect for him.

What you said was in terms of his interpretation. I have no problem with that.

(Dukic – virtually unknown, but the man can play like no other [except perhaps Stephan Schmidt])

I really do not like the way he plays Sevilla. Everything he does is only driven by technique – and that’s (not only) my opinion!
No wonder some people call him ‘The Butcher’!

Worst of all, there seems to be this agenda, where people think Fisk is somehow thrilling, expressive etc.
It’s sad when technical and speed obsession, lead people to believe Fisk to be expressive, and worthy of being linked with Segovia.
Fisk is so far away from Segovia, I’d say he’s actually from a another planet.

Fisk even constructs perverted arguments to back up his speed driven – yet sloppy – playing: He’ll tell you that the “present-day quest for perfect performances has led to a lack of spontaneity and boring concerts”.

He’s trying to back up his speed-driven playing with arguments, that his playing is nonetheless spontaneous and “not boring”.
I have to disagree with that and simply say: I’ve not heard a more boring guitarist than Fisk. I’ve got the CD with his Paganini Caprices and have not listened for them for over 7 years. I always dread hearing Fisk stretch himself to do those things, whilst all around musicality and expression crumble to the ground.

-Peter

PS: If you like speed, or like Fisk; then you like him! Nothing wrong with that!

I dislike this concept, where one is not able to voice opinions about artists. I think it disallows critical analysis of performance styles etc. We must be able to look at performances and judge them. And since not all performances are the same, and since we like some performances more than others, we must be able to judge performances and be critical of some points.

This is not “disrespect”, but “own opinion”.
Unfortunately it often happens, that my “own opinion” about a artist, clashes with that of another person, and the other person then sees this as “disrespect”. The problem might be, that the other person attaches too much value to the artist, and personally identifies with the artist.

This is an unfortunate misunderstanding.

My “own opinion” is not showing disrespect to ‘fans’ of the artist. My “own opinion” is not even showing disrespect of the artist himself: The reason is that I am not judging the artist, but HIS PERFORMANCE.

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So allow me to voice my opinion: I don’t like Segovia’s playing of some pieces. I think he DOES hesitate in places, as is shown in detail in the audio interview. I consider this a flaw.

But! I do believe that some of Segovia’s interpretations are really good: examples include Torroba’s Sonatina! Segovia’s interpretation of that is marvelous.
Another great example is Segovias’s performance of deFalla’s Homenaje! This is the best interpretation of Homenaje I’ve ever heard! Simply incredible. Segovia really understands the style and plays it in a way which I find gripping, masterfully expressive and – how can I put it – authentic.

So you see: even if people are critical of Segovia, it does not mean that this is a black-and-white issue!