Since 2007 Chris has worked as the music therapist at the VA Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He plays guitar concerts from 110 or for a single bed bound patient in the spinal chord, long-term care units, and Ward Seven. He also offers music therapy, free guitar lessons, and gives his CD, to the Veterans who have served this country. (CDs can be also be ordered by calling the number at the end of this article.)
Chris is becoming one of the premier classical guitar composers in the world with over 100 solo and duet guitar pieces with another 20 in different stages of completion. He also finalized a guitar concert, several duets for guitar, recorded his first CD Luz Eterna, and published its companion music book of 16 songs. He is listed in the globe’s definitive “Classical Guitar Composer’s List” www.musicated.com/CGCL/
While living in Europe, Chris bought three classical guitars, and wrote several songs including, Heidelbria and completed Santuario de Chimayo. He experimented with unusual scales and chord progressions as heard in his Spanish Jade song.
Chris has written guitar music for television and video documentaries. Every semester, he performs as a classical and flamenco guitarist for New Mexico Community College and their television programs. Several songs from his premier CD “Luz Eterna” are currently played on Sky FM radio (classical flamenco guitar station), KUNM-FM, KRSF-FM, and KLSK-FM.
Chris has played classical and flamenco guitar since he was nine years old and his father, John, taught him the three chords [Emj/B7/Am] and the arpeggio “p/i/m/a/m/i/p”. He bought himself an electric guitar, and played lead guitar in two rock bands. But he wanted to play in unique ways by utilizing all of his fingers; so in college, he started giving serious attention to the nylon string guitar.
From age seven to seventy, Chris has taught hundreds of students how to play the nylon guitar, both privately and in the public schools. He ran the summer classical guitar program at Albuquerque Academy for the APS honors program.
505-922-9287 hm/fax + 505-379-3899 cell
Letter from Chris to Lorenzo Pimentel
November 22, 2010
My dear friend and mentor Lorenzo,
I must congratulate you on a remarkable journey in the exclusive world of guitar making.
For my 60th birthday, which is by-the-way today, I paid off my most prized possession — the phenomenal Brazilian rosewood Grand Concert guitar that you just finished for me.
In my estimation this Lorenzo masterpiece is the greatest guitar ever constructed, and I should be entitled to this opinion as I’ve played hundreds upon hundred of different guitars. As I started playing at age nine, my newest guitar sings out far greater than any 6-string instrument I have ever had the pleasure to perform with over the past 51 years.
Your grand concert for me is a pleasure to play. The Brazilian rosewood with the blanco sapwood highlight, back and sides, is gorgeous. The German spruce top immensely projects a wonderful and volumous tone. Immediately, anyone will be able to tell, “This is a prized possession.”
Your construction is perfect, and the Santuario de Chimayo rosette is the finest highlight of any guitar past or present. The action is true, low, fast, and easy on my fingers, giving me the ability to play it for hours.
I demand only the finest in the instruments that I practice, concretize, and compose; so when I received this guitar I was blown away by its pure beauty of looks and sound, timber and presence, resonance and clarity. I am ecstatic by its voice. I know I’m far from a great guitarist, but at least I’ll sound the best in the world when I do play this fine instrument.
With this Pimentel, I now own four; the guitar exemplifies a grand testimony to your illustrious career. You are truly a national treasure and unique guitar maker. After my father, you’ve become like a mentor figure to me, especially in this sometimes confusing, complicated, and complex arena of the guitar realm. I desire for you a world of happiness and peace.
Know that I will be playing and cherishing my Grand Concert Brazilian rosewood guitar Lorenzo Special for the rest of my life.
With affection y saludamos
Chris Candelario
Chris Candelario