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New Zealand Guitar Histoy
For many years there have been attempts at compiling and publishing a history of the classical guitar in New Zealand. One of the aims of this site is dedicated to making that happen.
Some years ago Chris Marks of the Auckland classical guitar society did some work towards this by researching the history of the famous violin makers and luthiers the Panormo family and many interesting facts were uncovered and documented. A few years ago the well known concert guitarist and teacher Owen Moriarty did his thesis on our guitar history. The director of the Wellington Conservatorium and concert guitarist Matthew Marshall also has information at hand regarding the New Zealand Guitar Federation. All of these people have responded very positively to my suggestion of compiling a guitar history and are forwarding copies of their information to me and I will publish a resume of this as soon as it comes to hand Many of you will also have information which may be important. If you have the merest morsel of information please communicate it via the email link below. The smallest clue can lead to revealing and important previously lost aspects of our guitar history.
The information may be the knowledge of the whereabouts of an old guitar or maybe the anecdotal memory of a past family member that played classical music on the guitar. Another possibility is classical guitar music that has been handed down to younger members of your family. Even more important is the knowledge of any classical guitar teachers that taught between the first settlement of New Zealand and 1950. There have been many guitars discovered here that are good quality classical instruments and someone must have played them and someone taught those players.
The dates in the information below may be slightly out as they are all from memory.
If you can verify any dates (one way or the other) or provide further historical information please contact me - Email philread@ihug.co.nz Tel 03 434 3388
1840 Panormo the great Italian violin maker and luthier emigrated to New Zealand with his family and settled at Manakau Heads in the Auckland area. It is not know whether he built guitars here though a number have surfaced over the years
1937 It is thought Lionel Bent played classical guitar for the first time on Wellington radio. More information needed.
1947 Jerry Hall the well known Wellington teacher and enthusiast forms a group of enthusiasts
1952 Vladimir Vaseos arrived in the Paeroa district. Vladimir played classical guitar in the Russian style. One of our first players to arrive from Europe.
1955 Geoff Edmonds arrived in the Christchurch district. Jeff played both Jazz and classical in Christchurch until the nineties. Jeff was in the air force in the Uk during the war years and was associated with many of the early influential players in that country .Jeff is currently ninety years old and is writing down his memoirs covering those times and up to the present day Geoff has very kindly written out a history of the guitar scene in Christchurch during his time there.
1957 Antonio Losada who had recently married a well know new Zealand ballet dancer gave a series of concerts around the country
1960 Keith Patterson the well known New Zealand painter arrived back from a three year period in Spain where he had studied Flamenco guitar to a high standard. He also played some classical guitar.
1960 Around this time the Auckland Philharmonic Guitar Society was formed Harry Best, George Pirie and Bill Frith. These were all emthusiastic amateurs and Herry Bestin Particular was a fine player.
1961 Phil Read started his teaching studio in the Lewis Eady building in Queen St Auckland. Largely self taught but with tuition from Vladimir Vaseos and Keith Patterson.Ultimately, at the suggestion of Segovia, studying in Sydney for a year under Jose Luis Gonzalez, a Segovia pupil.
1963 A Panormo turns up in the hands of 11 year old Robert Burton having been in the family for many years. It had mistakenly been strung with steel which had ripped the fragile front out of the guitar. Norman Smith the Auckland Violin maker and repairer carefully and meticulously pieced together the dozens of broken and split pieces and restored the guitar to playable condition. Amazingly it sounded excellent. Would like to resume contact with Robert to see if there is more information on this guitar.
1964 Daphne Dobson settles in Auckland. Daphne was a fine player and an exceptional singer. She had studied in Toronto under Eli Kassner the distinguished teacher and confidante of Andre Segovia. She brought the first intimate knowledge of the interpretation and techniques needed for the performing of the music of Villa Lobos.
1964? Concert by Andre Segovia in Auckland Wellington and Christchurch. A milestone in the development of the guitar in this country.
1966 Jean Pierre Jumez gave a concert in Haddon Hall central Auckland. Possibly the first classical guitar concert in this country. Jean Pierre is still playing in France and is a very respected guitarist
1967 Timaru Classical Guitar Society
Formed. Incorporated in 1970. Hosted many well known overseas artists during this time and they continue to do so to this day. The club has also been responsible for the promotion of classical guitar throughout the Central South Island Region.
1969 Arrival of Emile Bibobi the well known English guitarist who was proficient in both the Jazz and classical guitar fields as well as being an accomplished cellist. Emile was well known to New Zealand guitarists from his articles and musical arrangements in the BMG magazine.
1969 Arrival of Paul Durham the well known British amateur who was well known in Britain for his Segovia like tone and impeccable phrasing. He was of great influence to many local players with the fine example that he set. He was mentioned in Guitar International as having owned more top name guitars than anyone else in Britain. At the time of that article it was around 63. He has owned at least a dozen more since those years.
1970 Ross Townsend starts teaching in Matamata
1970 Concerts by Jose Luis Gonzalez in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Very well received.
1971 Concert by Alirio Diaz
1972 Hamilton guitar society starts.
1972 Concert by Seigfreid Behrend
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