Interview:
1.) Which prejudice regarding the classical guitar would you put
away?
It depends on who is speaking. Maybe other classical musicians like
violinists or pianists (together with a big part of the traditional
classical music audience) may think that guitarists are not "as good
musicians", that the guitar is an instrument not able of making music in a
high level. Jazz guitarists may think that classical guitarists are "without
swing" and not creative musicians. I think there are reasons for all that,
but any kind of prejudice closes the mind. Of course it would be better if
we didn't need to come across those prejudices so often.
2.) Which pysical characteristics of a guitar player do you see as
typically?
There are some profiles, the big-sound player, that plays everything loud,
but not so subtle; the beautiful sound player, that plays everything round
but lacks intensity; the play-with-the-guts player that plays intense but
not so clean...I mean, it's hard to find balance, and in the end, we're all
searching for that, aren't we? I admire people that are humble enough to
realize that life is a constant learning process, and are always open to
question their own playing and vision...
3.) Which dreams of yourself would you like to fullfill?
Oh, there are many... to visit India, maybe.
4.) About what do you felt a bit sheepish?
Ignorant people that think they are the best...
5.) What is the motto of your life?
To try to live happy, independent of the situation.
6.) What drawback in your native land would you like to remove if it
would be in your power?
Of course the basic ones, such as the hunger and the lack of opportunity for
the people.
7) Which celebrated public characters of the world history do you find
most challenging?
Gandhi, Einstein
8) Newsworthy question: Who of the todays most famous guitar artists
may fill Andés Segovias shoes?
I think there are many great young guitarists today, not just one central
figure, as it was at Segovia's time...
Thank you very much Luis for this interview.
Jovan Pesec
Luis Leite
was born in 1979 in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He started to learn classical guitar
and musical theory in private lessons with Antonio Gomes. He studied
Composition and Classical Guitar at the University of Rio de Janeiro,
graduating in 2002 under the supervision of Carlos A. Carvalho and Nicolas
Barros. He also studied baroque music with baroque flutist Laura Ronai and
harpsichordist Rosana Lanzelotte.
Luis
Leite won the first prize in two major national competitions in Brazil
(“Souza Lima national guitar competition” and the “Sergio Abreu guitar
prize”) and the first prize in the Ivor Mairants International Guitar Award
in London and in the John Duarte Guitar Competition in Rust (Austria).
While still living in Brazil he came to Europe several times, to study with
Oscar Ghiglia at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena (Italy) and
to play in master classes for distinguished guitarists, such as David
Russell, Joaquin Clerch, Fabio Zanon, Zoran Dukic and Eduardo Isaac, among
others.
As a Chamber Musician he has played in duos, trios, quartets and with many
different kinds of ensembles, performing all styles of music, ranging from
renaissance and baroque music (playing continuo parts with baroque flutists
and viola da gamba) to contemporary productions. He has also played in many
different popular music groups, from African music to Choro and Brazilian
Jazz.
As a Soloist he has played concerts in the major cities of his native
country, as well as in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, England and Austria.
Since October 2002 he has been living in Vienna and studying at the
Universität für Musik with Alvaro Pierri.
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