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Segovia
in Washington D.C.
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On
the evening of March 11, 1979, Andres Segovia made a Command
Performance at the White House. The following article is a literal
written transcription of the announcements and speeches made
preceeding the program. This presentation, "Andres Segovia at
the White House," was nationally broadcasted on public television.
Special thanks to Vicki Lovett, Secretary to the Office of the
First Lady's Press.
Television Announcer:
Good afternoon. This is Jim Lehrer from the White House where
Vice President Mondale is hosting a recital by the great Spanish
guitarist, I Andres Segovia, the man credited with inventing
the guitar as an instrument for classical I music.
"When I was young," says Andres Segovia, "no one believed in
the guitar. I was alone." At the age of 86, he is no longer
alone. The world is full of believers. Believers not only in
the guitar, but also in the opinion that nobody has played it,
or ever will play it better than I Andres Segovia.
We are now in the East Room at the White House where great artists
perform and great announcements are made. Today is the performance
of the artist, Andres Segovia. On Sunday evening last September
it was both. Hours after the Russian cellist Mr. Mstislav Rostropovich
had performed, the results of the Camp David summit were announced
here in the East Room by by resident Carter, Egyptian President
Sadat, and Israeli Prime Minister Begin. Again today of course,
there is a Middle East peace conference. -The President is in
Israel trying to lock in place that still basic peace agreement
and Mrs. Carter is with him. She had hosted the Rastropovich
concert alone. And with both her and the President's absence,
Vice President Mondale is doing the honors this afternoon. They
have invited 200 guests who are now awaiting the arrival of
Vice President and Maestro Segovia.
This White House Series of concerts began a year ago with the
performance of Vladamir Horowitz. In addition to Rostropovich,
the other artists performing, were at that time the operatic
soprano, Leotine Price, and the Russian dancer, Miguel Baryshnikov.
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Vice President Mondale greeting Andres Segovia
in the East Room of the White House |
Andres Segovia has spent all his musical life establishing the
guitar as a serious instrument for serious music. As a consequence,
serious or classical music is mostly all he plays publically,
and that includes this afternoon. His selections are from the
classical guitar repertoire, a repertoire that is almost single-handedly
developed. There is Song of the Emperor and "Diferencias"
on a Spanish Tune written for the lute in the 16th century
by Luys de Narvaez, adapted for the guitar by Segovia himself.
One of Johann Sebastian Bach's Fugues, also written originally
for the lute, also transcribed by Segovia. Variations on
a Theme from the "Magic Flute" and Minuet in A, were
written for the guitar by Fernando Sor, a renowned guitarist
of the late 18th century. Melancolia and Primavera
from the Suite, "Platero and I," by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco,
an old friend of Segovia's. Allegretto Castellano by
Federico Moreno Torroba, another contemporary of Segovia's.
Finally, Sevilla, Segovia's adaptation of a piano piece,
written by Isaac Albeniz in the late 19th century.
The Vice President and Maestro Segovia are now ready to come
in.
Administration Announcer:
Ladies and gentlemen, Maestro Andres Segovia, Mrs. Segovia,
and Carlos Segovia. Ladies and gentlemen, the Vice President
of the United States.
Vice President Mondale's speech:
As you know, President and Mrs. Carter cannot be here this afternoon
to welcome the remarkable Andres Segovia to the White House.
Six months ago, as today, the President was unable to attend
a concert in the series by Maestro Rostropovich because of Camp
David negotiations. He deeply regretted missing that performance
and he asked me to express to you, Maestro, his regrets and
those of Mrs. Carter at not being here today. Perhaps Maestro
Rostropovich spoke for all of us then when he said, "If today
will help save a life, or even a drop of blood, then I will
play day and night without the President." And I know that the
hopes and prayers of all humanity are with the President today
as he searches for peace in the Middle East.
As the President was leaving the other day, I asked him what
my duties were as acting President of the United States. I said,
"Would you like me to sit in the Oval Office while you are gone?"
He said, "No." "Well," I said, "do you think it would be well
that I carried on my plans and attended the inaugural ceremonies
in Venezuela and Brazil?" He said, "No, I think your wife Joan
would do a better job. Why doesn't she go instead?" And she
did. And then he said, "Besides, Fritz, I want you to be at
the center of power at all times. And that is why I am here
with you today, Andres Segovia.
A little over a century ago the man who occupied this house,
President Ulysses Grant, summarized his feelings about music
when he said, "I know only two tunes. One of them is 'Yankee
Doodle,' and the other isn't." Fortunately the Spirit conveyed
by that comment has long departed this house. In our own time
the White House has become a showcase for artistic excellence.
And this afternoon we are privileged to attend a performance
by the unchallenged Master of the Spanish Classical Guitar.
When Andres Segovia first picked up a guitar, 75 years ago,
he alarmed his parents. The piano and the violin - these were
the respectable instruments. The right place for the guitar
was the local tavern and was only used to accompany songs and
dances. But the Maestro has changed all that. He brought the
guitar to the concert stage, he invented its classical technique.
While adapting music composed for other instruments, he created
its repertoire. He inspired generations of composers for the
first time to write concert music for the guitar one of the
most popular instruments in the world today. A few moments ago,
on behalf of the President, I accepted from the Ambassador of
Spain, a marvelous sculpture called "Homage to Segovia" which
depicts the Maestro's hands playing the guitar. And so this
afternoon, we celebrate not only this artistic genius, but also
the bonds of democracy and culture which join our two nations.
And no one is a more powerful symbol of that closeness than
this great and humane artist I introduce now, Andres Segovia.
At this point, Maestro Segovia approached
the stage. After seating himself comfortably, his guitar was
presented to him by his traveling companion of many years, Peter
Klein. Segovia then performed gracefully for millions of television
viewers throughout the world. A dinner reception followed the
concert attended by many of Washington's most prestigious people,
thus ending another chapter of the guitar world's living legend,
Andres Segovia.
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