Benjamin Verdery

INTERVIEW with Benjamin Verdery
by Jim Boitnott

I remember having a meeting with people here at the office and discussing the possibility of classical guitar samples nearly five years ago. When should we record them? Where? Who should perform them? What guitar? What samples? And the thousands of other questions that always come up during these meetings.

Being a guitarist I had a special interest in this library and remember thinking about who we should get to perform the samples. Tons of incredible guitarists went through my head while I thought about their guitars, their tone…and yeah….even their nails. Already knowing what to expect from a sample recording session I started thinking about who would do well in this environment….which is very different than normal recording or performing. Who has the patience and perfection with a good sense of humor? It took about 5 seconds for me to know that I wanted to have Benjamin Verdery record our samples.

I had performed for him in a master class when I was younger and he had one of the biggest impacts on me as a developing musician….and that was only after about 45 minutes. He made me laugh so hard I forgot that I was nervous and that I was not really prepared to perform the piece I was trying to perform. However, at the same time he shared so much knowledge. I performed that piece better at the end of that master class than any other time in my life. Years later while I was teaching at a local university I brought him in to do a concert for the community I live in and do a master class for local students. I saw him have the same impact then as he had years before. He is such a great performer and great teacher. But, if you talk to anyone who has spent time with him they will tell you he is even a much better person. I am very lucky today to call Ben my friend, and as a NOTION user I am also very lucky to have this new sample library!

INTERVIEW:

JB: Hi Ben, it’s been a few years since we recorded these samples, but I am very glad we have finished editing them. What do you remember most about the recording experience?

BV: I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of it all! I was so struck by the beauty and purity of the acoustics. The sustain and general sound of the room I’ll never forget. I have found that certain rooms were made for music and or enough great music have been made in them that they become a vortex for beautiful sounds from all ages. That room is certainly one of them.

JB: You are a big Beatles fan, everyone who is a fan and records in Abbey Road Studio #2 has that “WOW” moment, when did that happen for you?

BV: Immediately ! Particularly when I walked down the stairs and observed the white paneling that I had seen in so many Beatle photos. Playing THE PIANO, and entering The ECHO CHAMBER and simply recording the sound of my instrument all sealed the deal.

JB: and….you walked across Abbey Road at the famous crosswalk. It was a very long and very detailed session….was the pain of playing one note at a time calmed a little with the experience of being in that studio?

BV: Of course, essentially it’s a temple of music so what could more satisfying than playing in a temple even if and maybe particularly if you’re playing one note at a time, It was very meditative and informative.

JB: The samples sound amazing….tell me about the guitar you used?

BV: It is a 1995 Greg Smallman . He is has to be one of the most influential and innovative luthiers of the last 30 years. John Williams has been working with him since the early years of his career and John introduced me to his guitars 21 years ago. I’m forever grateful for this! Greg has only gotten better and better and now his sons build as well. All three of them are building extraordinary instruments. I must also mention that without strings a guitar doesn’t quite sound the same. I’ve been a devotee of D’Addario strings since pre-Christian times. Like Greg, Jim D’Addario is a brilliant innovator whose chief concern is to build a better string. Lucky us!!!!

JB: One thing that many people admire about you is your versatility. You have established yourself as a world-class classical guitarist, but within that you do projects with artists such as Andy Summers, Bill Coulter, and John Williams. Also, you never have a problem with adding some Hendrix and Prince along side the traditional composers such as Bach during your recitals. Were you ever worried about stepping over that invisible “classical only” fence that surrounds some other classical guitarists?

BV: Well, first thank you for saying all that up front. I was always worried and not worried at the same time. I was guided by a variety of artists and people from all walks of life who seemed to follow their inner emotional voices. So, following my heart made me the happiest. That having been said, I had many moments of insecurity. Doubting yourself isn’t always negative. It can make you look inward and question what is the proper path at a given time. Eventually I saw there was no one path, no serious music and non serious music. People only want to hear you tell the truth whatever that may be at a given time. If you’re not sure, that’s fine but at least we can make an effort.

JB: So, what is 2010 looking like for you?

BV: I’m excited to improve and to learn more about what it is I do. I’m premiering a new piece by Ezra Laderman in a concert I’m putting together of all Yale composers at Weil Recital hall in the Carnegie Hall Complex involving myself and my Yale students, currating a Leo Brouwer tribute at the 92 street Y in NYC, and playing in festivals in England, France, Korea, Mexico. I’ll release a new CD with Bill Coulter and start recording a new solo CD. I’m also writing a piece for the brothers Assads and I’ll teach my annual summer class on Maui. My wife and I will pick our daughter up from her first year of art studies at Carnegie Mellon and see our son graduate from RISD.  That’s more exciting than the other stuff!

JB: Another thing that people who meet you, see you perform, or study with you always admire is this abundant amount of energy that you have. I have actually heard that it is contagious. What is your secret?

BV: Well, wow, thanks again! I think I owe it to my Mom who was wild! My Dad was a bit of a hero to me, either working and helping others constantly and or enjoying, appreciating life. I don’t know the answer really but I’m happy to throw some stuff out on the table as “they” say.  I married well!!!! I’ve been a vegan for 2 years and love it, I love to swim, I love water. I even love doing the dishes just so I can splash around. I meditate daily and most of all love to see people do well at anything that does no harm.

JB: And finally….I know you have a great love for wine, any recent discoveries or suggestions?

BV: Wow, A wine question. Ouch, the word is out!! Well… I will recommend an Italian red: Santambra, Montefalco Tiburzi. It’s not too dear to use an English expression I learned from Sir Paul and I think quite delicious!! But like music it is all a matter of taste! So much music and wine so little time to pluck and tend to the vine!!!!!
Aloha!