by Dr. Matthew Warnock.

The Fifth Row is an eloquently conceived and masterfully presented homage to the American Rocky Mountain Northwest by classical guitarist Stuart Weber. The album features 11 pieces that were each recorded in a different historically significant theater including the Ellen Eccles theater in Logan, Utah, the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride, Colorado, and the Ellen Theater in Bozeman, Montana. Apart from the historical significance of the recording, Weber's performance on the album is superb. His interpretations are creative yet respectful, his compositions provide new and exciting works for the instrument and his execution of these pieces is flawless.

The idea for the album came to Weber after he had lost interest in releasing a new studio recording. Having performed in many of these iconic theaters in the past, Weber realized that each of these concert halls has a distinct architectural character that has helped save the building from demolition and its own unique sound that he felt should be captured on this recording. While many of these theaters have undergone much needed repairs, others are in need of financial rescue to ensure that they are preserved for generations to come, a message that Weber hopes to spread alongside the music on The Fifth Row. With a high level of performance and a strong concept behind the recording, the result is an album that is not only musically exceptional but that carries an extra significance in the meaning of the recording as a whole.

All of the tunes on the album were either written or arranged by Weber and reflect the diversity of his influences as a classical guitarist living in the American West. As an arranger, Weber gives his utmost attention to the clarity of the melody line as it weaves in and out of chordal embellishments and suitably-crafted counter lines, a skill that is often lost on modern guitarists and arrangers. The arrangements chosen by Weber include transcriptions of pieces by well-known classical composers such as Telemann's "Bouree alla Polacca," Dvořák's "Humoreske" and Weiss' "Passacaille," all of which are arranged with the highest respect given to the historical interpretation of each piece, while at the same time adding a breath of new life into the arrangements, avoiding the trap of simply providing another historical interpretation of the works. In addition to pieces from the traditional European classical repertoire, Weber has arranged two pieces by American composers, "Texas Girl at the Funeral of Her Father" by Randy Newman and the patriotic "America the Beautiful" by Samuel Ward. Though both pieces are performed on the nylon-string classical guitar, the arrangements are such that they could have easily been equally successful on a flat-top steel string, as they are filled with melodies and harmonies that come straight out of the classic music of the American West.

Apart from being a skilled arranger, Weber is also an accomplished composer. The fact that Weber is a classical guitarist that can perform the traditional repertoire, transcribe and arrange historical works, and compose new pieces for the instrument, allows him to stand apart from many other guitarists who shy away from writing and arranging new works for the guitar. His compositional style draws influences from both classical and American folk traditions. A great example of Weber's ability to meld the old with the new can be found in his piece "Sacagowea," which is built around a five-note motif that threads its way through the opening section of the tune while harmony and counter melodies take turns flowing in and out of the listener's focus. After the opening motif has been carefully introduced, Weber leads the listener through a skillfully crafted development section that again relies on a short melody line, which is as captivating as it is simple. Though the melody and harmony of the piece are fairly straight-forward, reminiscent of many early American folk songs, the sophistication lies in Weber's ability to intellectually and emotionally interpret the melody in a way that fully engages the listener, without losing them in the realms of either the simple or overly complex. This is a characteristic that can be heard in every one of Weber's pieces, and is one of the main reasons why his music sounds both contemporary and timeless in nature.

As a performer, Weber is as attentive to every detail of his playing as he is to the details of his arrangements and compositions, and his technical ability is commendable to say the least. Weber's virtuosity lies in his command of the emotional context and clarity of each note and chord. Every note fits perfectly within the framework of the line to which it belongs, and every line is related to the larger section of the phase to which it belongs. This sense of interconnectivity brings meaning to every note and phrase that Weber plays and gives the sense that he has thought through the emotional impact and placement of each note and chord. Weber is also a very clean player who has a command over tonal variation that would make many players envious. When linked together, his emotional connection to the music and tonal variations combine to provide a performance that is both technically superb and emotionally engaging.

The Fifth Row is an album that aims to both entertain and educate. With the underlying concept of the recording, Weber provides an extra layer of significance to the works beyond his exceptional display of musicianship. While many of us will never attend a concert in all of these wonderful theaters, Weber's latest release brings the musical experience that has made these halls famous into our homes for everyone to enjoy.

Fifth Row Track Listing and Recording Venue
1 - Bouree alla Polacca
Ellen Eccles Theatre
2 - Humoreeske
Wilma Theatre
3 - Sacagawea
Fort Peck Theatre
4 - Passacaille
Wyo Theater
5 - Texas Girl at the Funeral of her Father
Central City Opera House
6 - Tango on Spanish Creek
Washoe Theatre
7 - Evening at the Village
Sheridan Opera House
8 - Jefferson Waltz
Opera House Theatre
9 - Toccata - Darkness
Panida Theater
10 - Walk Away
Wilson Theater
11 - America the Beautiful
Ellen Theatre

Links:
Stuart Weber
Stuart Weber's The Fifth Row on Amazon.com