Editorial - Issue 5 (05)/2007

Many outstanding composers often were and are underestimated during their life and have had financial trouble, e.g. Niccolo Paganini transferred 20.000 francs to a French composer Hector Berlioz (1803-1869), since the latter one was in a tragic financial position.

Musicians were often dependent on patronage in the past, however its role was taken over by instruments and music equipment producers. Contemporary players, as many years ago, teach, write specialist books, record instructional materials and lead guitar clinics/workshops in addition. Once many of virtuosos were (actually are still) forced to earn by playing in commercial bands to collect enough amount of money in order to equip their own recording studios and release solo albums as well. Are you always aware that many great virtuosos are hidden behind the pop stars like Michael Jackson. There were many guitar aces who performed as a guest players on The King of Pop's albums, e.g. Eddie Van Halen, Steve Lukather, Steve Stevens, Slash, Tim Pierce, Trevor Rabin and Carlos Santana. Do Greg Howe and Jennifer Batten ring a bell? The first musician is one of the greatest negro wizards, and the latter artist is one of the finest female guitar hotshots not to mention Mr. Howe's playing in the Enrique Iglesias band! Their gender and skin colour don't matter, however the most important fact is that they played gigs alongside Michael Jackson and other celebrated stars thanks to their talents.

To be totally honest, no many virtuosos make a living by composing and selling own music, although there are always exceptions to the rule like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen etc. His present status was determined by a gift, inventiveness and... the law of the jungle in its less ruthless form saying - first come, first served. These ones who brought something new to the genre first, skilfully passed on it to people and were in luck, they won recognition lasting to the present. What is a moral? There were and are many equally gifted virtuosos who have never had a chance to present their music to a wider group of people for many reasons, but it doesn't mean they were and are less valuable artists and precocious instrumentalists in comparison to the famous!

Mikolaj 'Nicolo' Furmankiewicz
June/July 2007

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