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Living? Vidovic, Kanengiser, Clarke, and Two HMs

by Jeff Stanley
(San Antonio, Texas)

At the top I would have to put Ana Vidovic. Comparing artists, especially virtuosos, is a dicey business. But calling Vidovic "today's Ida Presti" would hardly be overrating her. Her mastery of the instrument is a given.

Meanwhile, her journeys of discovery into the profundities that lie deep inside the music -- and which require virtuoso performances to plumb such as her's of "Asturias" and "Valses Venezolanos 2 y 3" -- often bring tears to my eyes. Simply breathtaking.

William Kanengiser is a true master of the guitar. A master with technical skills -- as can be witnessed in his performance of "Turkish March" -- which may be as flawless as is possible for a human being to attain. But like all true masters, Kanengiser is hardly bound by forms, but stretches the envelope of his instrument in pieces such as Brian Head's "Brookland Boogie."

Last but not least would be a young man named John Clarke who, like the young tend to be, is wonderfully iconoclastic, especially with his various strums. Purists can scoff all they want at those he adds to "Spanish Romance." I think they're *kewel*.

Clarke is not only an accomplished player, he also writes. His piece "The Most Evolved," rich with his trademark strums, has a feel and an appeal that I would call "American, All The Way." I sincerely hope that Clarke continues to develop himself both as a player and a composer.

Honorable Mentions: Begging Mr Maurice's indulgence, I have to mention two more guitarists. Strictly speaking, since they both play steel-string acoustics, they aren't classical players. Nevertheless they are true innovators on the instrument in my book. Check out Andy McKee's performance of Don Ross's "Tight Trite Night" and of his own "Drifting." And check out Antoine Dufour's performance of his piece "Catching the Light". See if you agree.

Note: All of the above artists and performances can be found on YOUTUBE.