Category Archives: Stories Behind the Music

Prelude, Sarabande and Gigue from JS Bach’s Cello Suite No 1 (new 2016 edition)

Here’s a video from a recent performance of mine in Weigand Hall on the Marylhurst University Campus for the Portland Classical Guitar Series filmed December 9th, 2016 by videographer John Dimick. Recently Michael Lorimer began reworking his original arrangements of Bach’s Six Cello Suites. I’ve been one of the fortunate recipients of the many reworks Read More

Posted in Concerts and Events, Guitar Tips, Kritzer Studio News, Performing Skills, Stories Behind the Music | Comments Off on Prelude, Sarabande and Gigue from JS Bach’s Cello Suite No 1 (new 2016 edition)

All Classical Portland presents Thursdays @ Three with Scott Kritzer

[Please note: All in studio seating has been reserved – no seating available] Each week, All Classical Portland presents Thursdays @ Three, a live broadcast concert showcasing local musicians, arts partners, and visiting artists.  Senior Announcer Robert McBride hosts the lively format of music-making and conversation for the radio listening audience – you can stream from anywhere Read More

Posted in Concerts and Events, Kritzer Studio News, Stories Behind the Music | Comments Off on All Classical Portland presents Thursdays @ Three with Scott Kritzer

Guitar Salon with Open Mic featuring Classical Guitarist Scott Kritzer

Scott Kritzer brings decades of performing experience to a series of performance demonstrations called Fireside Chats to be held in the Beaverton First United Methodist Church’s Fireside Room. Kritzer, who often engages his audiences in concert, will discuss the stories behind the music in a friendly, informative and entertaining style. And prior to each ‘chat’ there will Read More

Posted in Concerts and Events, Guitar Tips, Stories Behind the Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Guitar Salon with Open Mic featuring Classical Guitarist Scott Kritzer

Der Leiermann by Franz Schubert for Solo Guitar

With the drone of the hurdy-gurdy as its backdrop this arrangement, the final work from Franz Schubert’s epic work Die Winterreise, gives the classical guitarist a chance to play one of the great works from the Romantic period on solo guitar. Featured in the 2008 film In Bruges, Der Leiermann is the final work of Read More

Posted in Guitar Tips, Kritzer Studio News, Practicing the Classical Guitar, Stories Behind the Music | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Der Leiermann by Franz Schubert for Solo Guitar

The Music of J.S. Bach: Short Reflections

One of the great benefits of being musicians is that our work is associated with trying to understand the music written by brilliant and creative souls like Johann Sebastian Bach. A few weeks ago as I started practicing Bach’s Allemande from the 1st Cello Suite, and even after playing this work, off and on, for Read More

Posted in Stories Behind the Music | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Kritzer Studio Opening and Special Performance

I’d like to invite you to a special Kritzer Studio Gathering on Friday, February 17th at 7:00 p.m. Come see my new studio and hear some exciting news regarding the release of my new Method for Classical Guitar. This is the fruition of over 30 years of teaching and 5 years of intense writing and Read More

Posted in Concerts and Events, Stories Behind the Music | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Playing for Segovia

While studying with Michael Lorimer in a special year-long master class off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina in 1980 I was given the opportunity to play for my teacher’s teacher, Andres Segovia. Maestro Segovia was to be awarded the Albert Schweitzer award for music, coincidentally, at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, where Read More

Posted in Stories Behind the Music | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Europe Summer 2011

Here are a couple of slide shows from my recent European performances. It was a dreamlike tour; a week in Bavaria where I was reunited with soprano Janet Chvatal with a cavalcade of performers, (another guitarist, singers and orchestra) in the Neuschwanstein Castle. Neuschwanstein Castle Performance 2011 Slideshow Then it was a beautiful week on Read More

Posted in Stories Behind the Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Europe Summer 2011

Neuschwanstein Castle Performances, Germany 2011

As I sit on the train to my next performance and master class in Rimini, Italy , with the Alps slowly receding into rolling hills and fields, lakes with morning fog holding close, I’d like to capture some of my thoughts on my last week in the picturesque town of Fussen. After days of rehearsals, Read More

Posted in Stories Behind the Music | 13 Comments

Nessun Dorma, the making for Classical Guitar

It was an odd choice to be sure. Coloratura soprano and my duo partner Janet Chvatal suggested I arrange this piece, the trademark of famed tenor Luciano Pavarotti, from the Opera Turandot by Giacomo Puccini. Classical guitarists seemed to be in two camps on arrangements; you do them or you don’t. I was in the Read More

Posted in Stories Behind the Music | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Nessun Dorma, the making for Classical Guitar