Aren Longchari and Oegmundur Thor Johannesson conducting a classical guitar workshop in Kohima on April 17.
Classical guitar concert in Kohima on April 19
DIMAPUR, APRIL 17 (MExN): “We will go from Baroque Germany to Renaissance Italy, heading towards Post Romantic nationalist Spain and the tango world of Argentina, passing through the Beatles frenzy of England; just to name a few stepping stones of our journey,” stated Aren Longchari and Oegmundur Thor Johannesson, while providing a preview of their upcoming concert in Kohima on April 19.
‘Nagas have got what it takes; we can reach international standard given the opportunity and platform’The Music Academy Kohima is organizing the concert at the Regional Centre of Excellence for Music and Performing Arts, Science College in Jotsoma. Aren Longchari and Oegmundur Thor Johannesson are both graduates from the renowned Mozarteum University, Austria.
The duo hopes to take the attendees of the events on a journey of the classical guitar, its repertoire, styles and possibilities in both original and adapted works. They expect to present the guitar from its beginnings as a salon instrument to its later forms as “amped up ambassadors of popular music.” They say that the “paradox of the guitar lies in how easy it is to grab and accompany a popular tune, and how difficult it is to master the complex compositions dedicated to it.”
Aren Longchari studied classical guitar and music education at the Mozarteum University in Salsburg, Austria. Starting his musical journey as a rock guitarist, he later discovered the intricacy of the classical guitar. This led him to Salzburg, where he graduated under the Bachelor of Music Program in classical guitar and music education in 2012. He is the first Indian to be accepted for the Bachelor program and also the first to graduate. He also plays the electric guitar and acoustic guitar, and has been involved with various projects and bands, besides teaching music. Aren moved to Bangalore in 2012 and began working for Yamaha Music Company and the Bangalore Conservatory.
On local talents, Aren states “we Nagas have got what it takes; we can reach international standard given the opportunity and platform.” Although he acknowledges the financial constraints and the lack of support faced by many aspiring musicians, Aren stresses on the need to have faith and work hard.
Ogmundur graduated from the Mozarteum University with a bachelors and masters degree, with honors in 2012. He received a second master’s degree from the Maastricht Conservatory in Holland. He has received various awards and is an internationally renowned musician. Ogmundur has played in various parts of the world and also taught master classes at the Iceland Academy of Arts, Washington University and the Catholic University of Santiago de Chile.
The duo conducted a workshop in Kohima on April 17, at the Music Academin of Kohima. The workshop created a group lesson where frequently asked questions and general topics concerning classical guitar performance were addressed. Emphasis was put on practical approach, attending to all technical and musical details of every example. The workshop touched on various topics like sitting and hand position, general principles for both hands for placing fingers, tone production and fingernails, synchronization/coordination and left hand pressure control, approaching musical passages, tips on practicing, fingering choices, articulation, resonance of the instrument, tempo control and technical exercises.
