Program Notes
Half of the music on this program is composed by Bach, Mertz, and Pratten, while the other half of the music is composed by music I wrote.
Due to an arm injury, the only the first and last movement of the Bach sonata will be heard today. However, this piece has meant a lot to me and I have learned much about composing by studying the scores of Bach.
The Elegie is another genius work I studied that has helped me with composing. It is a grand work that captures the emotions one would expect when listening to an elegy, along with the motifs and themes that are interwoven throughout the piece.
Forgotten is a short, but beautiful piece. Catharina was a virtuoso guitar player in her day and a great composer.
Floating is a piece I wrote inspired from some modern piano music I was learning. As it developed, I attempted to make it specific for guitar by doing things only the guitar could do. The title comes from the unknown of what could be next, but in a peaceful way through acceptance.
Nostalgic for a Place I’ve Never Been was inspired by my love for travel, yet places I have never been to and have only seen on the screen or read about in books.
The Waltz was inspired by the book Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. There is a scene in the book where there is a dance and a big change of events happens. That is why the first movement, showing love, is suddenly changed in the second movement to sorrow and panic.
Bloom was a piece inspired by the changing of seasons, and I attempted to capture the light and happy feelings of warmed weather on the horizon.
Thank you all for being here!
Fraser Andras is an active guitarist and composer based in New England. He is a versatile musician with a background in classical, metal, rock, and some jazz. He has composed music for solo classical guitar, solo piano, chamber ensembles, and music for bands. His compositional style combines elements from his musical background.
In 2019 Fraser received his Bachelor of Music degree in classical guitar performance at The Hartt School in West Hartford, CT, where he studied with Christopher Ladd and also received a minor in classical composition, studying with Gilda Lyons. Before his classical studies, Fraser studied jazz guitar at Holyoke Community College with Bob Ferrier, earning his Associates in 2014. Additionally, he studied composition and general guitar privately with AJ Minette, Jon Donais of the bands Anthrax and Shadows Fall, and Oli Herbert of the band All That Remains. He has also performed in several festivals, including Jazz in July at UMASS Amherst, Hartt school guitar festivals, and New England Guitar Ensemble Festival at Longy. He is currently finishing up a dual masters in composition and classical guitar performance at The Longy School of Music.
Fraser performs throughout New England on solo guitar with his own compositions and repertoire from the classical world. He has performed with several bands who have been on the radio and performed at large festivals, including Warped Tour 2015. Fraser is currently working on recording his first CD of solo guitar works. He resides in Massachusetts, where he teaches all styles of guitar, performs regularly, and writes new music.
