Classical guitarist Koch delivers lovely recital.

by Florence Fisher, Correspondent
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Wednesday, April 10, 2002

"At a time when most guitar music is performed on amplified electric instruments, it is refreshing to hear this instrument in its pure, original form.

In a concert that ranged from 17th-century compositions to modern works, guitarist Thomas Koch follows the path of Andres Segovia, who revived interest in the classical guitar in the 1920s.

Koch, who lives in Sarasota, was born in Germany and studied in Hanover and the Ecole Normale in Paris.

The solo guitar is well-suited to the intimate ambience of the church that Koch chose as the venue for his concert.

Starting with the Baroque period "Folia Variations" by Gaspar Sanz and following with Bach's "Prelude, Fugue and Allegro" (BWV 998), Koch showed not only his technical mastery but a gift for nuanced tendresse, while retaining Bach's structural integrity.

The Villa-Lobos "Gavotte Choro" had all the saudoso (nostalgic) feel of that sorrowful ballad form so uniquely Brazilian. This underlying sadness prevailed even in the composer's three pieces of varying rhythms and tempos - Mazurka, Valsa and Schottisch.

Sarasota resident Paul Fetler's "Saraband Variations" (written for Koch at his request) - an intriguing and colorful composition that explores the full range of the instrument's capabilities, both technical and emotional - was a joy to hear. The other works on the program featured a delightful "Divertimento" (Op. 314) by Ferdinando Carulli, and a short, lyrical piece "Ca d'Zan" by John King (also written for this concert).

A charming set of variations by Mauro Giuliani, "Rossiniana" captured the essential gaiety of Rossini's spirit while enriching the piece with its own vitality.

The clanging of church bells almost derailed this concluding number. Koch, with commendable aplomb, waited patiently for the bells to subside and delivered a lovely performance