Rob Johns Concert

It was a classic Aberdeenshire spring evening that greeted the concert goers to the NESCGS 2nd Annual Spring Concert on Friday May 25th , 2007. The Kemnay Church Centre is the ideal venue on a night like that with the marvellous views over the village towards Bennachie and the setting sun. The sunlight streamed into the Fellowship Hall filling the room with soft light. The hall has the perfect acoustic for the classical guitar.

This year's performer and teacher was Rob Johns from Lincoln. This followed from the success of our inaugural concert and workshop in May 2006 given by Neil Smith.

Rob's concert was out of the ordinary in not having a programme, Instead Rob selected pieces from his repertoire that matched his mood and the ambience. This gave the concert an immediacy that was very special and well received by the audience. Rob played a selection of pieces selected from the 19 th & 20 th century, other than his opening pieces from the renaissance. He included several pieces by Leo Brouwer and Villa-Lobos. His introductions were informative without being dry and reflected his considerable academic knowledge of the guitar. The high point for many was his two final tangos by Piazzolla and Dyens. He and the audience seemed to enter another reality engendered by the hypnotic rhythm.

NESCGS has made a firm friend in Rob Johns and we look forward to having him back with us in the near future.

Peter Stock NESCGS Chairman