Watch the Full Interview at www.eliteguita... Tavi Jinariu sits down with Christopher Parkening, America's preeminent guitar virtuoso, and candidly discuss life, legacy, guitar, interpretation and Segovia's legacy.
How beautiful to hear Mr. Parkening's testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. The aim and final reason of all music is none else but the Glory of God. Amen.
Maestro Parkening brought me to the classical guitar. I’ve had the privilege of hearing him in person twice, and read his wonderful autobiography, “Grace Like a River.” Thank-you for this interview.
How I would love to witness Parkening in performance, but I don’t know that I will ever have the opportunity at this point. It will have to suffice to cherish the recordings. Tavi, one of my dearest friends is a former peer of yours from the Parkening master classes from maybe 2000 through 2010. He has been a great help to me and he remembers you quite well.
One understands the affection in the words of our much-admired Mr. Jinariu. Not to detract from maestro Parkening's talent in the least, but in art, the use of superlatives can be misguided. John Williams, Kazuhito Yamashita, Eliot Fisk, Pepe and Ángel Romero, David Russell and Manuel Barrueco are still with us, to name but a few living legends of the instrument. Incidentally, the compulsive and constant witnessing is rather tiring. Thanks for the interview!
Williams is indeed a great guitarist but there is no such thing as No. 1 because music is not a race. Parkening has also made many great recordings and has toured the world for over 50 years. He deserves respect.
