Artist description Guitarist, producer of exquisite tone and heartfelt music.

Music Style Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary, Acoustic and Eclectic Electric Guitar

Similar Artists Andres Segovia, Christopher Parkening, John Williams, Liona Boyd, Julian Bream, Sharon Isbin, Larry Carleton, Al Di Meola, Tim Reynolds

Artist History Instruction during his early music development years with Jack Douthett, Hector Garcia, Christopher Parkening and Alexandre Lagoya. Sprague developed a mastery of the classical guitar through studies and many years of diligent practice and performance. Rick produced a compact disc "Dreams of Love - The Guitar of Rick Sprague" released in September 2001 featuring compositions by Adrian Le Roy, Luys Milan, Gaspar Sanz, Francois Campion, Fernando Sor, Francisco Tarrega and Emilio Pujol. Recorded at Mallen Music Ranch and SoundSmith Studios, mixed and mastered by Philippe Mallen at Mallen Music Ranch. "Variations on a Theme by Mozart - Opus 9", written by Fernando Sor, was recorded live in concert at Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, Colorado.

Group Members Rick Sprague

Instruments Guitars

Albums Dreams of Love - The Guitar of Rick Sprague (RSM20011)

Press Reviews Press Reviews "To judge by Dreams of Love, his recent CD release, Oregon classical guitarist Rick Sprague clearly benefited from studying with such masters of the instrument as Hector Garcia, Alexandre Lagoya and Christopher Parkening. He has the silky, singing tone that's de rigueur for the music of Luys Milan, Adrian Le Roy and Gaspar Sanz, composers who span Renaissance and Baroque. But he also has a precise way of rounding off a phrase, penetrating to the gleam at the center of a chord, and reining in rhythms that brings to mind not passion but a chaste ideal of devotion. That isn't to say his Tarrega and Pujol, composers of the 19th and 20th centuries, haven't got fire. What sets this flame apart is not its heat but its extraordinary clarity. The result--as in Tarrega's "Adelita"--is all the refined emotional tension of a fandango." - Willamette Week “...Emotional gentleness is the order of the day ...Pleasant and persuasive music ...Emilio Pujol's El Abejorro indeed bustles along like the bumblebee it represents. … Plays confidently and with a quite decent level of musicianship.” - Santa Fe New Mexican "The guitarist (Rick Sprague) featured on Dreams of Love, which has been issued on his own label, is a West Coast classical guitarist whose technique and facility with music ranging from the early 16th Century's Luys Milan (1500 to 1561) to the 20th Century's Emilio Pujol (1886-1980) is commendable. It features works both by Spanish and French composers. ... The recording quality of these studio performances, by the way, is first rate. ... Hope to hear more from him in the years ahead." - WCRB-FM Classical Radio (Boston) “... Thank you for a beautiful album. The selections are well chosen and played with feeling and technical precision.” - KMZT-FM Classical Radio (Los Angeles) "In an evening of satisfying and convincing interpretation, Sprague offered exciting and quite sensitive renditions of Tarrega's "Adelita-Lagrima," Pujol's "El Abejorro," and especially rewarding were the famous "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" by Tarrega and his encore, "Asturias" by Albeniz. Sor's Variations on a Theme by Mozart From The Magic Flute requires virtuosic technique coupled with a light and easy touch in keeping with the spirit of the Mozart Opera. Sprague's style, finesse and confidence carried the piece well." - Charles Maldonado, The Albuquerque Journal (following Sprague's performance at Keller Hall) "... Rick Sprague is a classical guitarist by every definition. His ability with the guitar is, simply put, qualified. Qualified may seem out of place but with this type of classical piece the musician must do two things; give it life and give it justice. Very few artists can do both, those who can, are qualified. Rick gives this wonderful composition life, breath and soul. The beauty of the music is overpowering and uplifting all at the same time. Rick Sprague deserves all the recognition he can get! Bottom line: Beautifully crafted and throughly entertaining!" - Clint Gaige, GodsOfMusic.com (La Preciosa review) "...Dreams of Love is a beautifully recorded compact disc." - Cascade Arts and Entertainment "Sprague dazzles audiences with a refined classical guitar technique." - The Source (Central Oregon's Arts & Entertainment Weekly)

Additional Info Stay tuned for Rick's new CD release in 2002, including original works and all-time favorite virtuoso guitar music from Spain and Turkey/Italy.

Location Bend, Oregon - USA

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