Articles, Interviews, and Reviews

Articles

Mr. Hand was profiled in the respected English publication Classical Guitar in March 2005. The article is available as a PDF (1.2MB).

Interviews

Mr. Hand was interviewed by UrbanGuitar.com in 2006 about his experiences as the Metropolitan Opera's guitarist for more than two decades. The interview is available at the UrbanGuitar.com Web site or as a PDF (83KB).

Reviews

In March, 2008, the 92nd Street Y held a 75th-birthday tribute to the great English guitarist and lutenist Julian Bream. Mr. Hand, who studied with Mr. Bream, was one of six musicians that performed. The New York Times music critic, Allan Kozinn, said of Mr. Hand's performance:

"The program began with a lute set. Frederic Hand did the honors, opening with a brisk, clean-lined account of two selections from Tielman Susato’s “Danseyre,” and including a beautifully phrased, introspective reading of Dowland’s “Melancholy Galliard” and a zesty performance of an anonymous favorite, “Kemp’s Jig.” Mr. Hand, who studied with Mr. Bream, ended his set with the premiere of “For Julian,” a lute work he composed for the occasion built of themes in an Elizabethan style, with contemporary harmonic and rhythmic touches." —The New York Times

The entire review is available on the New York Times Web site or as a PDF (316KB).

Critic Mark Greenburg had this to say of a concert Mr. Hand gave in New York City in 2004:

"Let me say at the outset, that it is impossible for me to imagine anyone playing more beautifully on the guitar--or trying more passionately to communicate with his audience directly and without pretense. Hand has expressed his admiration for Leonard Bernstein because of the immense amount of heart he brought to music. The same could be said of Fred Hand. It is not for nothing that one of his finest albums (and pieces) is called Heartsong.

It is therefore fairly pointless to give a review; Fred Hand--like anybody else I suppose--no doubt has good days and bad days, but he would be the one to tell you about that. He appears to be among those few who can do whatever they want on the guitar--and with the apparent speed of thought.

Beyond this, it must be said that the new work he presented—Sephardic Songs—seems exceptionally fine even for Fred Hand. Here what one wonders is whether anyone else can play it with such grace with its gnarly left-hand, jazz-type chords." —New York City Classical Guitar Society magazine

"Mr. Hand produced a strikingly clean and penetrating tone. Making a strong impression with his musicianship on each instrument, he played unerringly, with all the verve and spirit that one could ask." —The New York Times

"His knowledge of the instrument enables him to achieve effects which are absolutely remarkable. Mr. Hand possesses a magnificent talent which touches me profoundly." —Alexander Lagoya

“A brilliant master of the guitar.” —The Milwaukee Sentinel

“Hand is an extraordinary player. His speed seems to have no limit. He plays with intelligence and finesse, and every aspect of the line and individual sound is lovingly shaped.” —The Milwaukee Journal

“Classical guitar recitals don’t get much better than this. Frederic Hand is a tremendously skilled and expressive guitarist. But what makes him unique is that he is also one of today’s most fascinating composers, able to weave together a variety of influences, from jazz to Dowland to the avant-garde.” —Guitar Review

“Always fully in control and in sublime musical form...a brilliant performance.” —Het Laatste Nieuws, Brussels

“Guitarist's Technique Dazzling” (headline)...“Hand’s technique is second to none. His technical prowess is dazzling and he possesses a strong lyrical sense achieved through a variety of tonal colors.” —The Kansas City Star

“A stunning performance” —The Providence Journal