Cesar Mora Enchants AUC with Tremolo Guitar Performance
By: Joya El Aggar
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While music can be an escape from the world’s clutter and commotion, witnessing its magic live, with skilled classical musicians pushing the limits of their instruments, is an entirely different experience.
AUC’s Music department hosted Cesar Mora’s ‘Tremolo Obsession’ performance on the guitar at the Malak Gabr theater on October 9, proving this classical instrument still has a few unexplored sides.
Mora, adjunct faculty at the Department of Arts, focused on the tremolo technique, which consists of holding one note on the guitar and repeating it over and over.
Mora is a Venezuelan guitarist who studied guitar performance at Universidad Nacional Experimental De Las Artes (UNEARTE).
The tremolo is used to add vibrato to the sound by changing the tension of the strings, normally at the extension or rear end of an electric guitar using a controlling lever.
The performance marked 45 heavenly minutes of sublime harmonies and commendable musicianship, featuring classical pieces, such as ‘Recuerdos de la Alhambra’, and ‘El Abejorro’, but also, ‘Ultimo Tremolo’, ‘Crepuscular’ and ‘Un Sueño en la Floresta’ by classical guitarists such as Francisco Terraga and Emilio Pujol.
Despite using the tremolo technique, each piece was notably different, creating moods that ranged in their emotional tone and style.
Some attendees were notably engrossed in the music, listening intently with their eyes closed.
Mora explained how the show is a culmination and a result of six years of researching and practicing the tremolo technique,.
“One of the things that shocked me in the tremolo technique is the ability to hold or sustain a melody with the fast and repetitive movement of three fingers, while doing harmonies or even other melodies. This took all my attention and time,” he told The Caravan.
Mora started the event with a catchy improvisation piece during which the audience began to clap just a few seconds in.
“I wanted to start with this improvisation to grab the energy on stage.”
Even though the event was poorly attended, it garnered a lot of praise from the audience members, who were not only satisfied with the event, but also with Mora’s friendly and humble on-stage presence.
Through his performance, and following every piece, Mora would stop to explain how he played each note.
He also engaged with the audience as they asked him questions throughout the event on his music, career and ambitions.
Apart from teaching at AUC, he also teaches at Gusour Cultural Centre, Funoon Arts Centre, Art Mania Music Centre and New Cairo British International School.
