Boschiana forces the performer to navigate angular, modern harmonic shifts and rapid position changes seamlessly.
More ergonomic solutions for the complex stretches and shifts Assad demands.
Growing up in Brazil, Assad was immersed in folk melodies from his father and the classical rigor of Monina Távora, a disciple of Andrés Segovia. The genesis of his 24-piece cycle was a desire to create a "mirror" to .
You can see performances of these works through Siccas Media and follow João Luiz for the latest world premieres and recordings from the set. Sérgio Assad - 24 Studies for Guitar; II. Nazarethiana
Study 19 — Percussivo (percussive slaps & taps) sergio assad 24 studies updated
The studies are not grouped by difficulty but generally cover a vast swath of technical requirements. Key technical focuses include:
Suggested practice timeline to learn all 24 in 12 weeks
: A tribute to Tom Jobim, emphasizing jazz-influenced extensions, nuanced legato, and delicate internal voice leading.
(Study No. 1): A tribute to Heitor Villa-Lobos, featuring intricate melodic lines and a busy texture that requires careful balance. Nazarethiana Boschiana forces the performer to navigate angular, modern
The classical guitar etude canon has three pillars:
Sérgio Assad’s "24 Studies" are a landmark achievement for the classical guitar. They revitalize the etude genre by fusing rigorous technical demands with the rich cultural heritage of Brazil, creating a set of pieces that are as rewarding to play as they are to hear. For both students and professional guitarists, this cycle offers an inspiring and challenging gateway into a uniquely vibrant musical world.
and diverse national rhythms to enrich the solo guitar literature. Composition and Structure The cycle was largely developed between 2019 and 2020
The most haunting is No. 19. A tremolo study (like Recuerdos de la Alhambra ), but the melody is fractured: a 5-note pattern over a 4-note bass, creating a phase shift that sounds like a music box with a cracked gear. Elena practices it for six hours. She fails every time. The genesis of his 24-piece cycle was a
Sérgio Assad’s own recording of Study No. 8 “Desafio” (available on YouTube – Assad Brothers live, 2022).
If you tell me if you are looking for specific recordings, I can look into which ones have been released or updated on Naxos.
Study 20 — Dolce (sweet, close-voiced chords)
: He uses modern contrapuntal techniques to push the boundaries of what the solo guitar can achieve harmonically.
: Based on the syncopated, elegant choro phrasing of Ernesto Nazareth, requiring absolute rhythmic independence between bass and treble lines.