This page is a tribute to Robert Guthrie. Mr. Guthrie's life as a classical guitar performer, composer, and teacher is a pure example of appreciating, studying, and sharing art on the highest of levels. His brilliance was matched only by his ability to put others before himself, and his astounding approach to the guitar made the kind way he treated people all the more impactful. In a world in which we are too often taught quantity over quality, style over substance, screaming rather than listening, Mr. Guthrie taught to focus only on what is most important, allowing all trivialities to fade away. His example was one of brutally hard work, unquenchable interest, conviction, humility, love, compassion, dedication, achievement, and willingness to help others however possible. Never have I known someone who put so much into the communication of their art, and yet stood completely out of the way of its message.
Below you will find links to Mr. Guthrie's recordings and performances, sheet music for his compositions, and other resources.
Complete recordings and live performances (playlist)
My favorite Mr. Guthrie stories (video)
Listed below are links to the sheet music for Mr. Guthrie's original compositions. These were notated by myself, working closely with him to get the scores the way he wanted. The first piece, Taos Suite, he agreed to have "published" and is available for purchase via its linked website. All other pieces he wrote and/or codified right at the end of his life. Since his passing, I have been instructed to not distribute this music any further. However, after over three years of contemplation, I have decided to make them available here for the following reasons:
1.) Mr. Guthrie and I had detailed conversations about the distribution of his music. I offered to sell his pieces for him through my website, allowing him to keep 100% of the profits (after all this man did for me, I would never, ever, take money from him). He had absolutely no interest in selling his music whatsoever, instead expressing the desire to give his pieces to his students in person. He called this a more personal method of distributing his music.
2.) One day I specifically asked Mr. Guthrie what he wanted me to do if someone asked me for his music. We then had a long conversation about the subject, which ended with him saying “I think you understand what I want you to do.” Because he said this, I can trust his judgement. To my knowledge these pieces have not been published or released elsewhere. Although I will not champion this music (despite my personal belief that it remains to be some of the most valuable music for the classical guitar ever written) it deserves to be available for those guitarists who knew him personally, as well as those guitarists who wished they could have known him or have heard his music and have a strong desire to play it themselves.
Despite my occasional polite pestering, Mr. Guthrie had no interest in recording his latter pieces. He did make a fantastic recording of Taos Suite which can be heard on the Complete Recordings playlist. I have recorded the entirety of his compositions, which can be heard on the Chuck Allred plays music by Robert Guthrie playlist.
Taos Suite (available for purchase at musikaborealis.com)
Homage to Barrios - Prelude & Waltz
Homage to Falú - I. Cancíon Antiguo
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