Abel Carlevaro Preludios Americanos: A Masterclass in Guitar Technique and Expression (PDF)

Abel Carlevaro Preludios Americanos Pdf Download: A Guide for Guitar Lovers

If you are a guitar enthusiast who loves classical music, you may have heard of Preludios Americanos, a series of five preludes for solo guitar composed by Abel Carlevaro, one of the most renowned guitarists and pedagogues of the 20th century. These preludes are considered to be masterpieces of guitar literature, as they combine musical beauty, technical challenge, and cultural diversity. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Preludios Americanos and how to download them in PDF format.

Abel Carlevaro Preludios Americanos Pdf Download

Introduction

Preludios Americanos, or American Preludes, are a set of five pieces for solo guitar written by Abel Carlevaro between 1970 and 1974. They are dedicated to different regions of America, namely North America, Central America, South America, Brazil, and Uruguay. Each prelude reflects the musical characteristics, rhythms, and colors of its respective region, creating a rich and varied musical journey across the continent.

Abel Carlevaro was a Uruguayan guitarist, composer, and teacher who lived from 1916 to 2001. He was one of the most influential figures in the development of classical guitar in the modern era. He created a new school of guitar technique based on anatomical principles, which he called "microtonal technique". He also composed many works for guitar, both solo and chamber music, as well as pedagogical materials and studies. He taught many prominent guitarists, such as Eduardo Fernández, Alvaro Pierri, Berta Rojas, among others.

Preludios Americanos are widely regarded as some of his finest compositions for guitar. They are popular among guitarists of all levels, as they offer both musical enjoyment and technical challenge. They are also frequently performed in concerts and recorded by many artists. If you want to learn more about these preludes and play them yourself, you may want to download them in PDF format. This way, you can have access to the scores anytime and anywhere, without having to buy or carry physical copies.

Preludios Americanos: A Brief Overview

The origin and inspiration of the preludes

Carlevaro composed Preludios Americanos between 1970 and 1974, during a period when he was traveling extensively across America. He was inspired by the diverse musical traditions and cultures that he encountered in his journeys. He wanted to capture the essence and spirit of each region in his music, using elements such as melodies, harmonies, rhythms, modes, scales, chords, etc.

He also wanted to pay homage to some of the composers and musicians that he admired and learned from, such as Heitor Villa-Lobos, Agustín Barrios, Manuel Ponce, Leo Brouwer, and others. He incorporated some of their influences and styles in his preludes, creating a fusion of classical and folk music. He also used some of his own innovations and techniques, such as microtonal movements, percussive effects, glissandi, etc.

The structure and style of the preludes

The preludes are organized in the following order:

- Prelude No. 1: Tamboriles (Drums) - Prelude No. 2: Evocación (Evocation) - Prelude No. 3: Campo (Field) - Prelude No. 4: Ronda (Round) - Prelude No. 5: Compadre (Comrade) Each prelude has a different structure and style, depending on the region and mood that it represents. For example, Tamboriles is based on a rhythmic pattern of the Uruguayan drum called "candombe", which is played in a fast and lively tempo. Evocación is a lyrical and expressive piece that evokes the nostalgia and melancholy of the Central American landscape. Campo is a pastoral and serene piece that depicts the tranquility and beauty of the South American countryside. Ronda is a playful and cheerful piece that imitates the Brazilian dance called "roda", which is performed in a circle. Compadre is a festive and energetic piece that celebrates the friendship and solidarity of the North American people.

The main features and techniques of the preludes

The preludes are full of musical features and techniques that make them interesting and challenging to play. Some of them are:

- The use of different modes, scales, and chords, such as pentatonic, modal, chromatic, whole-tone, diminished, augmented, etc. - The use of different rhythms, meters, and accents, such as syncopation, hemiola, polyrhythm, cross-rhythm, etc. - The use of different articulations, dynamics, and expressions, such as staccato, legato, forte, piano, crescendo, diminuendo, etc. - The use of different techniques, such as microtonal movements, percussive effects, glissandi, harmonics, slurs, bends, etc. These features and techniques require a high level of technical skill and musical sensitivity from the guitarist. They also require a good understanding of the style and character of each prelude. The guitarist should be able to convey the mood and emotion of each piece with clarity and expression.

Abel Carlevaro: A Biography of the Composer

His early life and musical education

Abel Carlevaro was born on December 16th, 1916 in Montevideo, Uruguay. He started playing guitar at the age of six with his father's guidance. He later studied with several teachers in Uruguay and Argentina, such as Pedro Vittone, Regino Sainz de la Maza, Miguel Llobet, among others. He also studied harmony and composition with Vicente Ascone.

He made his debut as a concert guitarist at the age of 17 in Montevideo. He soon gained recognition for his virtuosity and musicality. He also started composing his own works for guitar. He won several prizes and awards for his performances and compositions.

His career and achievements as a guitarist and teacher

Carlevaro had a prolific career as a guitarist and teacher. He performed extensively in America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. He played in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York City or Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. He also participated in many festivals and competitions as a performer or jury member.

He taught guitar at various institutions such as the National Conservatory of Music in Montevideo or the University of Music in São Paulo. He also gave masterclasses and workshops around the world. He founded his own guitar school in Montevideo in 1957.

He developed a new method of guitar technique based on anatomical principles. He called it "microtonal technique", as it involved small movements of the fingers to produce subtle changes in sound quality and expression. He also designed a new type of guitar with four extra strings tuned in lower octaves to extend the range and resonance of the instrument.

He wrote many works for guitar solo or chamber music. Some of his most famous works are Preludios Americanos (1970-1974), Serie Didáctica (1975-1980), Serie Americana (1980-1984), among others. 71b2f0854b