Torabi, Interpreting Baroque Music

Interpreting Baroque Music

A guide for the modern classical guitarist by Dr Afshin Torabi Ardekani
With detailed illustrations from the work of Sylvius Léopold Weiss. 

About the author and the book:

Dr Afshin Torabi Ardekani is a highly respected academic musicologist and a masterly classical guitar performer.  Persian by origin and hailing from a musical background, he was given his first classical guitar at the age of ten by his father, Naser Torabi, who also served as his initial mentor.  Alongside his development as an instrumentalist, Dr Torabi delved into music theory and contextual harmonic studies.

His performances have captivated audiences around the globe, and he has participated in many prestigious international events and festivals.  Among his most notable accomplishments is his recording of the works of Sylvius Leopold Weiss, under the guidance of Richard Paré, which garnered admiration from a constellation of remarkable musicians such as Andreas Koch, Göran Söllscher, Sylvain Bergeron, Michel Cardin, Rémi Boucher, and Mauro Zanatta, among others.

Dr Torabi first honed his art as a performer at the Gnessin Music College in Moscow, under the guidance of Alexander Vinitsky and Nikita Koshkin.  Next came the Conservatoire de Musique de Québec, where his musicianship was further enriched under the supervision of Rémi Boucher.  After that, he attended Laval University, attaining both a master's and a doctorate in interpretation. Throughout this period, he benefited from the continued tutelage of Richard Paré, Rémi Boucher, and Michel Cardin.

He completed his postdoctoral studies at the University of Moncton, mentored by Michel Cardin, and further expanded his horizons as a Visiting Researcher at the University of Toronto, collaborating with Jeffrey McFadden. He continues to share his expertise and knowledge through lecturing at universities including Tehran University, Montreal University, Laval University, and Toronto University.

In 2022, Dr Torabi embarked on a second post-doctorate at UQAM University in Montreal, Canada.  The project he undertook there is the origin of this book.   Under the direction of Professeure Isabelle Héroux, he researched the topic “Approche pédagogique de l'exploration de la musique baroque pour les guitaristes classiques : ornements, notes inégales, règle de l'octave et interprétation du style brisé."  [“A pedagogical approach to the exploration of baroque music for classical guitarists: ornaments,  notes inégales (unequal notes), règle de l'octave (the rule of the octave) and the interpretation of the style brisé (broken style)”]

The postdoctoral research report is presented here in an edited translation into English. The original French text will be accessible as a PDF for all book customers.

As classical guitarists continue to expand their repertoire with new and exciting arrangements of works from the baroque period, this book will provide invaluable guidance on their interpretation, backed by the most extensive musicological research on the one hand, and the practical experience of a virtuoso performer on the other.

• Product: Self-print (PDF) or Print-on-demand
• Pages: 84 pages
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Order number: BE-240832
• ISBN 978-87-980291-8-2