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I, GUITARIST Radlee Laquian, 23 He Gave Up Pop Guitar For A Deeper Musical Connection TEXT BY IVAN LIM Apr 5 2024 
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The classical guitar offers a unique blend of technical challenge and expressive potential. Its rich history, diverse repertoire, and intimate nature resonate deeply with me, allowing for profound musical expression. I started as a pop guitarist in a band called Music Hero – we found some fame from 2016-2019 on platforms such as Eat Bulaga. However, my passion for music evolved – I’ve discovered a deeper connection with the classical guitar and its rich tradition. I now want to explore its intricacies and nuances while striving for excellence and artistic fulfilment. I learnt basic theory and guitar from my father’s friend when I was nine and learnt on my own through YouTube and music theory websites when I was 12. I started formal classical guitar training when I was 19, studying under Jose Valdez in 2019 at a university in the Philippines but I left it because of cyberbullying, stopping lessons for two years. I resumed my guitar studies in 2022 under Ramoncito Carpio, the academic guitar professor at my current university, and concurrently for a year under Dr Ivar Nicholas Fojas, a private instructor. As a classical guitarist, I hope to refine my craft, explore new repertoire and share my passion for music with audiences worldwide. I intend to achieve this by participating in competitions, performing, collaborating, and ongoing education in the classical guitar world. I appreciate the recognition and experience gained from my time as a pop guitarist, but I don’t miss it as my focus has shifted towards classical guitar. However, I still use what I learnt from back then as it helps me in promoting my work.
I am now playing works by composers such as Mario Castlenuovo Tedesco, Sergio Assad, Roland Dyens, Miguel Llobet, David Russell, Kazuhito Yamashita, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Jose Valdez. Additionally, I'm exploring contemporary compositions and arrangements that push the boundaries of the classical guitar genre. I am drawn to pieces that offer technical challenges while allowing for profound emotional expression. Composers like Mario Castlenuovo Tedesco and Sergio Assad captivate me with their lyrical melodies and intricate harmonies, while the contrapuntal brilliance of JS Bach's compositions continually inspires me to refine my interpretative skills. The classical guitar offers a unique blend of technical challenge and expressive potential. Its rich history, diverse repertoire, and intimate nature resonate deeply with me, allowing for profound musical expression. Also, it’s very personal – as I am the only one who understands what I should be doing. And when I hold it, I feel solitude and peace. |
