Alan Rinehart and Clive Titmuss, two extraordinary classical guitarists from Kelowna, will perform “Music of Old Spain from the 16th Century to the Age of the Fandango” at the Rouge Gallery on April 19.
A West Kelowna luthier, Titmuss himself built the duo’s instruments modeled on historic originals.
Rinehart and Titmuss will play early 16th century music on 12-string “vihuelas.” The music is described as regal, intricate, and highly decorated, but founded on folk melodies.
Matching the music, the vihuelas are made from richly coloured and fine-grained pear wood inlaid with tiles and complex lace patterns around the sound hole. The result is a light, responsive instrument.
The later, 18th century replica guitars Titmuss built are also highly decorated, but with flower patterns inlaid with ebony and ivory delicately repurposed from damaged piano keys.
Rinehart has played concerts throughout B.C. both as a soloist and with the Vancouver Guitar Quartet that he founded. He also helped bring the Northwest Guitar Festival to the Kootenays.
The pair’s musical collaboration began when Rinehart commissioned Titmuss to make copies of both the vihuela and the bigger 18th century guitars. The luthier, attracted by the possibility of duets, made two of each.
The evening’s grand finale will be a raucous Fandango, a tempestuous dance full of wild strumming and bravura flourishes composed by Italian Luigi Boccherini in the late 1700s for Father Basilio, one of the era’s great guitarists.
Co-organizer Nicola Everton invites people to come “mingle with the musicians and enjoy an intimate evening of music in the historic Rouge Gallery.”
For more information on the duo, other period musicians, and the instruments they build and play, visit www.earlymusicstudio.com.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., but arrive early to get a good seat — lately, the Rouge concert series have been packed to capacity.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Beer and wine will be available. Call the gallery at 362-9606 for more information.