Dancing on 6 Strings (2026 version)

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Ben Lougheed full profile / Solo Classical Guitar / 1 musician

Full program notes

I have put together a fantastic, diverse program that audiences have thoroughly enjoyed and connected with wherever I’ve played it. The program is called “Dancing on Six Strings” and features dances from around the world. I also have integrated a wonderful activity into my program that engages the audience and has been met with heaps of praise from listeners and presenters.

Prelude from BWV 997 by J.S. Bach: I love starting the concert with this incredibly beautiful work by the master. it really set the stage for the rest of what is to come.

Fandango Varie by Aguado: An audience favorite, this fast, Spanish dance is as much fun to listen to as it is to play.

Sarabande by Poulenc and Danse Rythmique by Presti: This set of pieces is centered around the virtuoso guitarist Ida Presti. First is the only guitar piece that celebrated composer Francis Poulenc ever wrote, which he dedicated to Presti; and then is a lively contrast by Presti herself, showing her musicality and skill as a performer and composer.

Romanian Folk Dances by Bartók: This amazing set of works captures the spirit of a time and place in history.

Invierno Porteno and La Muerte Del Angel by Piazzolla: these two incredible tangos work perfectly together and show the depth of emotion and energy of tango and Piazzolla.

Gavotte and 6 Doubles by Jean-Philippe Rameau: My own arrangement of this monumental piece, a real treat to hear for any audience.

Historical context

Every culture has developed its own dances: celebratory, ritualistic, expressive, and communal. From the Argentine tango to the courtly dances of France and the folk dances of Eastern Europe, movement and music have evolved in tandem, spanning geography and time. These traditions are more than entertainment; they are expressions of identity, history, and human connection.

Just as dance has emerged in every corner of the globe, so too has the impulse to make music on plucked-string instruments. Whether it’s the oud of the Middle East, the pipa of China, or the Renaissance lute of Europe, the idea of coaxing rhythm and melody from vibrating strings has taken many forms. The modern classical guitar, with its distinctive voice and wide expressive range, is a descendant of that shared musical heritage, and an ideal instrument for exploring dance.

Dancing on Six Strings is a celebration of that connection. Each piece on this program reflects a different cultural perspective on dance, from lively social gatherings to stylized art music.

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