GUITAR HEAVEN

Last week was one of those special weeks in the year when a certain atmosphere pervades the place. The surrender of Dillington to a whole load of classical guitarists was remarked upon with astonishment by certain staff who’ve never witnessed this unique annual get-together. The sights and sounds of the gathering was almost something worthy of a David Attenborough programme! Alongside the tuition there were also five nights of concerts by some amazing professional guitarists. For me the highlight was perhaps the most esoteric programme in the festival. Carl Herring accompanied tenor Kevin Kyle in a marvellously conceived programme of songs from the sixteenth century to the present day. Carls’ playing was exceptional and Kevin’s singing was utterly beautiful. The danger was for the voice to overwhelm the guitar but this did not happen and every note and word was perfectly related to each other. Their performance of Schumann’s ‘Dichterliebe’ was outstanding – far better than their CD recording in fact in which the microphone is placed too close.