John Williams - an appreciation

7th Nov. 2019 –

Dear Brian Whitehouse,

Many, many thanks for sending your Dr. Leckie/Tarrega book.

It is absolutely wonderful!

Quite apart from the guitar interest and the different characters, it is a fantastic “picture” of that 19th century period – and beautifully written and produced. What an achievement – you should be very proud!

Askonas Holt brought it to Kings Place (London) last night, and I’m just off on a minitour (with Gary Ryan and John Etheridge) – so couldn’t read every word this morning – but I spent an hour ”perusing”(!), and was so impressed.

Also – I love the owl! We’re great bird fans.

Very best wishes and again many thanks –

Yours –

John (Williams).

Brian Whitehouse

Brian Whitehouse has accomplished a long teaching career, holding appointments as Head of Guitar Studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire and in the music departments of many other universities and colleges in England. This has been combined with a considerable amount of recording work and examining for the diplomas of the Royal Schools of Music. He is now Director of the Classical Guitar Centre Ltd, which was established in 1988.

2009 saw the publication of his first book: The Ramirez Collection—History and Romance of the Spanish Guitar, which illustrates and discusses in detail the José Ramirez museum collection in Madrid and its significance in the history and development of the instrument. Included are Brian’s recordings of all these important guitars. In 2015 his second book, complementary to the present title: The Tárrega-Leckie Guitar Manuscripts, Lessons with the Maestro, was published.

He was recently honoured to be elected Patron of the Consortium for Guitar Research at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University.

Brian Whitehouse pictured with Barny a rescue Owl.