Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, classical guitarist Claudia Tornsäufer has been a family member of the "Royal Family of Guitars-Los Romeros" for more than a decade. As a soloist, she performed at the age of 17 for the former German president Dr. Richard von Weizsäcker; in 1990 and 1991 in Salzburg, Austria, during the Mozart Festival, in 1992 during the International Schleswig-Holstein Festival in Germany.

Claudia Tornsäufer earned two advanced degrees from the Robert-Schumann-Music-Hochschule in Düsseldorf, Germany. She has studied with Roberto Aussel in Paris, France, and Maestro Pepe Romero at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Claudia Tornsäufer received her second Masters in Music Performing in 1994 in San Diego. She was invited to join the faculty of San Diego State University' Music Department in 1994/5 for one academic year.

Currently, Claudia is holding the position of Associate Professor at the Centers of Education & Technology (CET) and teaches Music Appreciation classes. Claudia's most recent activities includes the transcription of the works of the great lutenist Silvius Leopold Weiss, a contemporary of J. S. Bach, which is published by Tuscany Publications. KPBS/PBS filmed a documentary about the Romero family entitled "Los Romeros-Royal Family of the Guitar". As a family member and musician, Claudia has been an important participant in this film, which is airing nationwide at local PBS stations since fall 2001 and has been nominated for an Emmy.

Pre-Concert Lectures Presented By

Claudia Tornsäufer

By Arrangement of Rubin Price Management

Engaging the general public is the major challenge confronting today’s concert presenters.  How does one educate, enthrall and prepare the unfamiliar audience for the richness of classical masterworks by virtuoso performers?

“She helped me to really hear and appreciate…” Greta Jones, Point Loma

With the insights of a born teacher and the unique perspective as both a Professor of Music Appreciation and classical musician, Claudia Tornsäufer has developed a series of Power Point supported pre-performance lectures that incorporate her wide knowledge of musical history and composition, world culture, and personal classical guitar artistry to assist the general public to better understand and appreciate classical musical performances.

Interweaving text, historical photographs, recorded musical examples, frequent video material and brief illustrative selections played on her own instruments Claudia Tornsäufer’s programs are designed to be informative, interactive and entertaining.  The following topics are typically addressed:

1. Brief biographies of the composers with interesting details of their lives
2. Discussion of the musical periods covering the compositions to be played
3. Understanding the development of certain musical forms
4. Identifying the specific musical forms used – overture, concerto, sonata, fugue, etc.
5. Examining the truly superb composition: how it is constructed; how do motifs and phrases fall into line; what is the composer’s aim?
6. What is the historical context of a given piece, especially a masterwork, and how does it relate to other art?
7. What should one listen for in each piece?
8. How can the audience prepare for the thrill and appreciation of superior execution, insight and virtuosity of the great performing artists?

Experienced, multilingual, talented and with an easy rapport with any audience, Claudia Tornsäufer is able to demystify the world of classical music and creatively “set the stage” for the audience’s maximum enjoyment and appreciation.  These pre-concert programs are suitable for all general audiences, community lecture series, musical tour groups, and special pre-performance events for symphony auxiliary groups and patrons.

Claudia Tornsäufer will present her lectures with Power Point support in English, German or Spanish.  Video (format ??) recordings of selected lectures are currently available in English , however, translated versions in German and Spanish are available upon request with sufficient lead time.

Pre-Performance Lectures

Presented and designed by

Claudia Tornsäufer

In recent times, every concert presenter and concert venue knows how important it is to make classical music concerts more attractive to the general public. Ruben Price Management believes that Claudia Tornsäufer’s pre-performance lectures can make a difference for any concert program and make it more accessible, understandable and enjoyable for the general public.

Pre-Performance lectures will furnish the audience with interesting answers, facets and knowledge of some important questions regarding the scheduled performances. Each lecture will be supported by a Power Point presentation (slides include pictures material and text bulletins) and short Audio Samples. Ruben Price Management offers Claudia Tornsäufer’s services in form of a life presentation, program notes and/or can provide concert presenters with just the material (Power Point presentation).

 EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

a)     What to listen for in the music?

b)     What are the makings of a superb composition (e.g. symphony, opera, chamber music, sacred music)- how is it constructed, how motifs and phrases fall into line, what is the creator’s aim or purpose?

c)     Who are the composers and what are the details of their life?

d)     What are the musical periods of the performed compositions and what musical forms were used (overture, concerto, sonata, fugue, etc.)?

e)     What is the thrill of witnessing the superior execution, insight, and virtuosity of great performing artists?

f)      What were the circumstances and what was the time that prompted the creation of certain categories in music in general, and some of the great masterworks in particular, by relating them to history and to other arts?