Album That Connects Guitar Tradition to Chopin, is Heard Again

Swedish classical guitarist Mattias Schulstad rereleases “Invocación,” his full-length debut, on his own label. Produced by Grammy-winner David Frost, the recording introduced in recent history that Spanish composer Francisco Tárrega was inspired by Chopin.

Swedish classical guitarist Mattias Schulstad. Image: Mats Bäcker/White Label Productions Ltd.

STOCKHOLM — As a young boy in Sweden, Mattias Schulstad remembers playing Adelita, a mazurka by Tárrega, wondering why a Spanish composer wrote music in a Polish format. “By the time I had discovered the music of Chopin, and found Tárrega’s Chopin transcriptions, I began to see a connection,” he said. “I thought, ‘maybe this is something to explore.’”

“Invocación” features works of Tárrega and Chopin in the prelude, mazurka and nocturne formats, framed by works of Tárrega’s pupils Miguel Llobet and Emilio Pujol. The recording is produced by David Frost, who has received 16 Grammy Awards for his work, and currently serves as music producer with the Metropolitan Opera.

“Our recording with Mattias was made at the Academy of Arts and Letters in New York,” said Mr. Frost. “This medium sized auditorium has a deep and natural acoustic and has served as a recording venue for artists such as Artur Rubinstein and Alicia de Larrocha.”

In 1966, Mr. Schulstad’s first teacher Erik Möllerström was introduced by his teacher Eduardo Sainz de la Maza to luthier Ignacio Fleta, championed by Andrés Segovia. (Eduardo’s brother Regino Sainz de la Maza was dedicated Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.) That meeting led to a guitar, completed in 1971 — during Fleta’s “golden age” — which in 2010 was passed from Mr. Möllerström to Mr. Schulstad, who named the guitar “Erik,” after his teacher.

“When, for health reasons, I decided to finish playing the guitar, I wished that the instrument I had collected from Ignacio Fleta in January 1972 and which had been my faithful companion for nearly forty years, could get to live on with someone who took good care of the guitar,” Mr. Möllerström said. “For me, my pupil Mattias became the obvious choice.”

“We were able to capture the subtle and rich colors of Mattias’ extraordinary guitar and his playing, which has much nuance and an inward beauty,” Mr. Frost said.

“Invocación” introduced in recent history that Spanish composer Francisco Tárrega was inspired by Chopin. Image: Mats Bäcker/White Label Productions Ltd.

Upon its first release, “Invocación” was named Album of the Week by Classic FM and WQXR, and Editor’s Choice by Gramophone. “The playing throughout is refined, intelligent and highly musical; the tone, though never sweet, is fulsome and appealing. An outstanding debut,” Gramophone wrote in its review. Its new release has already been selected for a number of Spotify editorial playlists.

Francisco Tárrega is recognized today as a founding composer for the modern classical guitar. His steady use of guitars made by Antonio de Torres helped standardize the design and sound qualities of the instrument we know today, and his pupils carried forth his ambitious ideas about its possibilities.

“The music on the album creates a bridge between idiomatic music for the guitar and the great piano music of Chopin. I found this to be an interesting challenge, but one that ultimately works,” Mr. Frost said.

Recorded in 2010 and 2012, and first released in 2012, this rerelease features updated sound, cover art and distribution. “I am grateful to Anders Wall, whose vision and generosity enabled this release on my own label,” Mr. Schulstad said.

“And I feel lucky to have the chance to work with David Frost. He is an extraordinary person and musician, and I continue to learn and grow throughout our collaboration.”

Mattias Schulstad is a Swedish classical guitarist who has made recordings, performed as soloist with orchestra, and developed the guitar’s repertoire.

This text includes a paragraph from the album’s liner notes, edited by Tim Page.

For more information, please contact Mattias Schulstad by email, at info@mattiasguitar.com.