William Carter talks to Gramophone about La Guitarra Espanola

A short interview was published to accompany the Editor's Choice accolade awarded to William Carter's "La Guitarra Española" in Gramophone's August edition. Carter intriguingly describes his perspective on the works of Santiago de Murcia, as he highlights the importance of the music itself: ‘One of the things that attracted me to the repertoire on the disc is that it's got its feet both in the world of art music and in the world of popular music of the time. And I think that makes it stronger in some ways.'

The acclaimed musician goes on to discuss the controversial nature of some of the works featured on "La Guitarra Espanola", such as the notorious Cumbees which were ‘the subject of negative interest by the Spanish Inquisition'. Conversely, Carter contemplates the fascinating theory that the delightfully engraved manuscripts could have originated from de Murcia's teachings - teachings to pupils as esteemed as the Spanish royals.

"La Guitarra Española" is a beautifully unique interpretation of the music of Santiago de Murcia; pieces which displayed innovations in guitar music: ‘Certainly the hitting of the guitar is actually notated and I think that's the very first notated hitting of the guitar that exists.'