Interview, John Williams on Paseo

Hot on the heels of Sean Shibe's Profesión, elder-statesman guitarist John Williams also turns to Latin America for his new album Paseo - with works by Brouwer, Ponce, Turina, Sor and others, including some versions never heard before, as well as several works by Williams himself that pay tribute to this musical tradition. 

I spoke to John to explore some of the ideas behind this album, the changes and adaptations included within it, and the inspirations for his own compositions.

What’s the significance of the album’s Spanish title, ‘Paseo’?

The main work on this CD is “La Ciudad de las Columnas”, which has some short “paseos” (promenades) between the different sections - also, I like the sound of the word!

You mention having replaced the final section of Sor’s Mozart Variations with alternative music from the end of the Magic Flute - how did you go about the process of doing this, and what first led you to suspect that the modification was needed?

As I say in my notes, Sor’s own version of the slaves’ chorus at the end of Act I is very unlike the original; I simply wanted to have it easily recognised. I also wanted the whole work to sound a bit more operatic; for example the Introduction to sound like an overture, a few ornamentations typical of the period and an accelerando to the end! 

How does the original version of the Turina Fandanguillo (which you’re playing here) differ from the more commonly-heard second version?

The main differences in this original version of the Fandanguillo are no “tambour” effects and, most importantly, the passages towards the end of the piece have different notes in the scale passages leading to sforzando chords.

Among the works by Sor, Ponce, Turina and others are three of your own compositions. Can you tell us a bit about these three works - particularly Another Time, which closes the album?

“When the Birds Return” was originally written without a title! But when the tremolo returns, in the major key, it reminded me of that feeling, especially in the quiet of the countryside or coastal areas, when we wait for flocks of migrating birds to return. “Homage to Barrios” is simply my tribute to that great Paraguayan guitarist and composer whose music I have played so much over the years. “Another Time” is a sentimental reminder of the period of American popular song and musicals - and in particular those moments in the musicals when the dialogue leads into the tune!