Andre Segovia (1893-1987)
is considered to be the father of the modern classical guitar movement by most modern scholars. Many felt that without his efforts, the classical guitar would still be considered a lowly bar instrument, played only by peasants.
Segovia's quest to elevate the guitar to a prominent position in the music world, began at the early age of 4. His uncle used to sing songs to him and pretend to strum an imaginary guitar in his lap. Luckily there was a luthier nearby and Segovia took an instant liking to the guitar. Although discouraged by his family, he continued to pursue his studies of the guitar. He set a goal for the guitar and himself early in life. It was to bring Guitar studies to every university in the world and have the guitar played on every major stage, just as the piano and violin.
In 1928 Segovia made his American debut in New York City. Before long, composers like Heitor Villa-Lobos even began to compose original pieces specifically for the guitar. Segovia himself began transposing works for the classical guitar as well, most notably his translation of Bach's Chaconne as well as many transcriptions of the lute and harpsichord music. In addition to recording and performing, Segovia spent the remainder of his life and career successfully influencing the authorities at conservatories, academies and universities to include guitar in their instruction programs with the same emphasis given to the other well known instruments like the violin and piano. His early struggles were recorded in his 1983 memoir "Andre Segovia: An Autobiography of the Years 1893-1920. He died in 1987.
