Frederick Draper – Romance
(Posthumous) Digital Album Release Available on all Streaming Platforms June 14, 2024
1st Single/Title Track, “Romance” Out March 31, 2024 (his birthday)
Listen to a sneak preview at frederickdraper.hearnow.com
"The playing was excellent, colorful and expressive...He was always able to convey his respect and affection for the music." - THE NEW YORK TIMES
Frederick Draper, also known as Fred (or in my case, Dad) was a beloved father, brother, husband, friend, classical guitarist, teacher, and science fiction enthusiast. South Forty Records is proud to digitally release for the first time on all streaming platforms this superb collection of some of his favorite classical guitar pieces.
Born in Kewanee, IL, Fred Draper’s music career began at age 14 when he formed a rock-and-roll band, Fred and the Fenders. His range of genres and influences continued to grow and over the years would vary from Rockabilly/Blues to Classical. In the late 1960s, Fred entered the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to advance his training in the classical guitar. His talent led him to participate in Andrés Segovia’s master class in 1966. His past performance highlights include critically acclaimed Carnegie Recital Hall concerts through the late 1970s and early 1980s. Throughout his career, Fred continued to give concerts. He compiled some of his favorite selections on Romance, a CD he recorded over 20 years ago with Jon Bates. This commemorative release will be available for the first time on all streaming platforms on Friday, June 14, 2024 (Father's Day weekend).
Fred cherished his life in music. He believed that to keep its spirit alive music must be shared. It is in this spirit of paying it forward that his music lives on in Romance--both a traditional Catalan folk song and the album's title track. Although the album opens with the exuberant "La Camelia," the entire 14-song collection (Francisco Tárrega, Matteo Carcassi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Jeremiah Clarke, Isaac Albéniz, and more) is performed with a purity and tenderness all his own.
Frederick Draper, in his lifetime, created this exquisite collection that we can now remember him by. In loving tribute, I invite you to experience (and share) his Romance.
Additional Reviews:
· "Frederick Draper's music is an excellent example of what apparently is becoming a rara avis in the world of the performing arts: a musician who does not confuse the means with the end. It is obvious from his interpretations that to him technique is the means, and an artistic and sensitive rendition of the music, the end." - JOSE REY DE LA TORRE
· "His concentration is total as the guitar becomes a small orchestra with the triple intricacies of melody, bass line and accompaniment." - DAVENPORT TIMES – DEMOCRAT
Credits and acknowledgements noted in the original Romance CD insert: This recording (dedicated to Fred’s wife, Annabel) would not have been possible without the musicianship, technical acumen, and personal encouragement of Jon Bates and his Painted Lady Studio.
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