Ida Presti

[Canard]

Ida Presti was an early classical super star, who has mostly been forgotten, except among her students and in turn their students. Her early career--she was a childhood prodigy--was disrupted by WW II.

Her solo recorded output, especially of her own compositions, was not large.

She also pioneered the classical guitar duo concept, working with her husband, another renowned guitarist.

Here is a highly informative video which attempts to re-introduce Presti to the world of guitar. It features Stephanie Jones as a commentator. Jones is major Presti fan-girl.



Wikipedia:

Ida Presti - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Bernie]

Thanks for sharing this video Canard : I hadn't heard much of Ida Presti's work I must say. She probably died too soon for the better quality recordings (not musically but technically speaking), so that's why she is not that famous here anymore I bet...
Alexandre Lagoya has been the most considered classical guitarist in France for years, but also the kind that seemed to think no other music was worth being listened to but classical (he tried briefly to do a little "jazz" though - -) : that's a reason why we don't think that much of him : no Hendrix, Django nor Wes, Gilmour or Santana, no Jansch, Renbourn, de Lucía, Kotke, Mc Laughlin, Watson, King, Alison or many more, would deserve any attention according to him it seemed...

I'll try to get to know a bit more about Ida Presti soon. But it seems difficult to find real good recordings : but it feels like I should...