Overview

This challenge is all about improving your listening skills as a classical guitarist. Each week, we’ll focus on different listening tools to help you:

• Sharpen your ear
• Understand musical and technical choices
• Deepen your appreciation of polyphony and thematic development
• Set higher musical expectations through broader listening

Week 1: Listening to Guitar Performances

Focus: Listening to classical guitar recordings to observe and discuss musical and technical choices.

Goals:

• Develop listening habits specific to the guitar
• Learn to identify expressive tools: tone color, dynamics, articulation, timing
• Engage critically with interpretation

Call to Action:

• Listen to Alvaro Pierri’s recording Villa-Lobos: Chôros No. 1, 12 Etudes, 5 Preludes.
• Share observations in the Guided Listening Member Challenge Forum: musical choices, expressive elements, and technical execution

Recordings from an earlier run:

• Week 1 with Simon
• Week 1 with Dave

Week 2: Original Instrumentation of Guitar Repertoire

Focus: Listening to works from the guitar repertoire played on their original instruments.

Goals:

• Set new aural benchmarks (legato, dynamics, sustain)
• Avoid being limited by the guitar’s natural constraints
• Aspire to greater musical expression

Call to Action:

• Listen to the provided curated playlist of original-instrument performances below:
  • J.S. Bach, Prelude from 1st Cello Suite (BWV 1007), Jian Wang (cello)
  • –> Kazuhito Yamashita (guitar)
    • Score
  • J.S. Bach, Prelude from 2nd Cello Suite (BWV 1008), Yo-Yo Ma (cello)
  • –> Dave Belcher (guitar)
    • Score
  • J.S. Bach, Allemande from BWV 996, Gustav Leonhardt (keyboard)
  • –> Sean Shibe (guitar)
    • Score
  • Isaac Albéniz, Mallorca, Alicia de Larrocha (piano)
  • –> Simon Powis (guitar)
    • Score
  • Enrique Granados, La Maja de Goya from 12 Tonadillas, Alicia de Larrocha (piano) and Eva Lorengar (voice)
  • –> Julian Bream (guitar)
    • Score
  • J.S. Bach, Prelude from Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro (BWV 998), Wanda Landowska (piano)
  • –> Kevin Gallagher (guitar)
    • Score
  • G.F. Handel, Chaconne in G Major HWV 435, Trevor Pinnock (keyboard)
  • –> Ida Presti and Alexandre Lagoya (guitars)
    • Score
  • Astor Piazzolla, Verano Porteño, Piazzolla Quintet
  • –> Baltazar Benitez (guitar)
  • Astor Piazzolla, Escualo, Piazzolla Quintet
  • –> Victor Villadangos (guitar)
• Reflect on what qualities you might bring into your own guitar playing in the Guided Listening Member Challenge Forum

Recordings from an earlier run:

• Week 2 with Simon
• Week 2 with Dave

Week 3: Guitar & String Quartets with Scrolling Scores

Focus: Studying string and guitar quartets using scrolling score videos.

Goals:

• Track melodic themes and how they pass through different voices
• Strengthen voice recognition in a visual + aural context
• Practice analytical listening skills

Call to Action:

• Watch provided scrolling score videos of quartets not discussed in live sessions
  • J.S. Bach, Chorales BWV 253-275
  • Josef Haydn, String Quartet in C, Op. 33, No.3 “The Bird”
  • Ludwig van Beethoven, String Quartet, Op.18, No.1, Emerson String Quartet
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, String Quartet No.14, K.387, Quatuor Mosaiques
  • Samuel Barber, String Quartet, Op.11, Quatuor Diotima
• Use IMSLP-provided scores to follow along:
  • Beethoven, String Quartet Op.18, No.1
  • Mozart, String Quartet No.14, K.387
  • Haydn, String Quartet Op.33, No.3 “The Bird”
• Identify voices, voice leading, and thematic development on your own or discuss in the Guided Listening Member Challenge Forum

Recordings from an earlier run:

• Week 3 with Simon
• Week 3 with Dave

Week 4: Orchestral Works with Scrolling Scores

Focus: Analyzing orchestral music with scrolling scores, applying what you’ve learned in a more complex context.

Goals:

• Recognize themes as they travel across multiple instruments
• Understand orchestral texture and how it relates to classical guitar arrangements
• Improve ability to identify voice structure in dense musical settings

Call to Action:

• Study orchestral scrolling score videos + reference scores (IMSLP)
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Symphony in Gm K.550
    • Score
  • Franz Schubert, Unfinished Symphony
    • Score
  • Giacchino Rossini, “Assisa a pie d’un Salice” from Otello
    • Score
  • Mauro Giuliani, Rossiniana No.1, Op.119
    • Score
  • Josef Haydn, “Surprise” Symphony No.94
    • Score
  • Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No.4
    • Score
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “O Isis und Osiris” from Die Zauberflöte
    • Score
  • Fernando Sor, No.6, Grand’Isi, grand’osiri from Six Airs Choisi de l’opera de Mozart “Il flauto magico,” Op.19
    • Score
  • Igor Stravinsky, “Le Ronde des princesses” from The Firebird Suite (1919)
    • Score
    • Jorge Caballero, guitar
• Follow thematic development through sections
• Reflect on how these ideas relate to voice separation in guitar music in the Guided Listening Member Challenge Forum

Recordings from an earlier run:

• Week 4 with Simon
• Week 4 with Dave

Big Picture Goal

By the end of the challenge, you’ll be better equipped to:

• Hear independent voices in guitar music
• Set higher expressive standards for your own playing
• Build a lifelong habit of active, analytical listening

Format

Work through one listening theme each week. Recordings from earlier runs are linked with the weekly resources. If live listening sessions are offered for a new run, check its announcement for hosts, times and replay details.

Check the announcement for the current run for participation and signup details.