Nadja Grdinić is a young classical guitarist whose lyrical, unforced playing suits the singing repertoire of the instrument beautifully. In this video she performs one of the most beloved melodies ever associated with the classical guitar: Cavatina by Stanley Myers, on a 1994 Andrea Tacchi guitar.
About Cavatina
Cavatina became world-famous as the theme of the 1978 film The Deer Hunter, but its history with the guitar is older: Myers originally wrote the melody for a 1970 film, and it was the guitarist John Williams who persuaded him to expand it into a genuine guitar piece. Williams' recording carried the melody around the world, and Cavatina has been a fixture of the repertoire ever since — the piece countless listeners name first when they think of the classical guitar's voice.
Its magic lies in simplicity. A long, arching cantilena floats over softly pulsing arpeggios, and nothing about it is difficult to understand — but everything about it is difficult to do well. The melody must sing continuously above the accompaniment, in the guitar's most delicate register, with nowhere to hide. We explore the piece's history in more depth in our article Cavatina — a timeless classical guitar piece and our Cavatina repertoire page.
About Stanley Myers
Stanley Myers (1930–1993) was a British film composer with over sixty scores to his name, a craftsman of the London film world who worked with directors from Nicolas Roeg to Stephen Frears. It is one of cinema history's quiet ironies that this prolific career is remembered above all for a single tender guitar melody — proof of how completely the right theme can transcend its film.
The Guitar: Andrea Tacchi, 1994
Andrea Tacchi is one of Italy's most respected living luthiers. Working in Florence since the 1970s, he is known for instruments of exceptional refinement — including his famous 'Coclea' models — and for a builder's curiosity that has led him to study and honour the great makers of the past. The 1994 instrument heard here carries Cavatina's long lines with warmth and evenness. It is available in our shop, alongside our full range of classical guitars.
Watch the Performance
For more beloved melodies on six strings, browse our overview of famous classical guitar pieces.
