L’Hymne de Riégo 

Presented here is the full article “L’Hymne de Riégo” published in Revue de Paris, January 7, 1865 (pages 105-134). It is an written by Philbert Audebrand based on an encounter with Huerta around 1860. The portion regarding Huerta’s time in America is part of my article “Huerta in America” published by the Guitar Foundation of America in Soundboard Volume 50, numbers 3 and 4. See my other article for earlier Huerta biographical articles.

(more…)

“Huerta in America” Soundboard Vol. 50 Nos. 3 & 4

A 2 part article I wrote on Huerta’s activities in America is being published by the Guitar Foundation of America in Soundboard Volume 50, numbers 3 and 4. The article includes portions of biographical articles detailing Huerta’s various stories regarding his concerts and other events during the 2 years he was in America between April 1824 and early 1826. Since some of the articles are very long the information not specific about these years was left out of the article. Below I present the shorter full articles in the original languages and translations. See here for the full 1865 article by Philibert Audebrand.

(more…)

New books on Luigi Sagrini from DGA Editions

Two new volumes from DGA Editions are now available. The first volume is In Search of Sagrini, written by Bernard Lewis and Robert Coldwell. The second volume is The Music of Luigi Sagrini which presents 24 editions published by Sagrini from 1825 to 1850. Each volume is available in print and digital format. The digital editions were released 2/2/2022, and the print editions were released 2/16/2022.

(more…)

J. K. Mertz – Johann or Joseph? – research by Masami Kimura

On the question of the actual name of Mertz, around the turn of the 20th century guitar writers made assumptions about the initials “J. K.” While in the 1980’s Astrid Stempnik discovered the birth name of Mertz to be “Caspar Joseph,” the earlier writers used either “Joseph Kaspar” or “Johann Kaspar.” Somehow “Johann” became the definitive reading of his initial “J.” and has been repeated over the past 100 years. Repetition does not always make information correct. Mertz never used his full first or second name in promoting himself either in concerts or publications. In fact, even after he died his widow posted advertisements to sell his instruments by using his performing name “J. K. Mertz.”

(more…)