Musician's Challenges

Segovia wasn't the best technician. You can hear string buzzing, unintended delays etc. Whole new generation of guitar players including David Russell play without single buzz (poorly pressed string). Two links below show not only Sharon Isbin being much more advanced but also playing with much stronger dynamics appropriate to Spanish music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCeebWgjrrU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIjfkYKKW54

Segovia was a great teacher and ambassador for guitar music.

Segovia put a personal stamp on the music he played--sometimes for the better, other times not so. But you knew it was him. There is little to distinguish most of the players younger than Barrueco and Fisk. The playing is clean as a whistle but totally unremarkable. I've heard both the players, live and on recordings, and they are top-flight guitarists. Musically they are not among my favorites. Segovia is almost always interesting. Better than 90 percent of the other available classical guitarists are almost never interesting. Other than simply checking someone out, why waste my time with the others?
FWIW, among the "younger set" I like Ana Vidovic, Lorenzo Michele, and, especially, Jorge Caballero. As an older and experienced listener (and something of a player myself), I feel that those three "get it."

From the purely technical viewpoint the most difficult music to play might be the one not designed to be played by human. Conlon Nacarrow music written for pianola was impossible to play because of speed and impossible fingering. I've heard that today few pianists can play it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFz2lCEkjFk

"From the purely technical viewpoint the most difficult music to play might be the one not designed to be played by human."

Hmm, technology bettering humans? We know machines are better at some things. Luckily, the machines do not work without a programmer. Maybe learning to program a synthesizer while oozing charisma is the way to go :^)

Mapman, Conlon Nancarrow was originally composing music for piano but when his music got very complex he couldn't find pianists to play it (especially in Mexico where he lived). He switched then to pianola and discovered completely new instrument. It is still music, but concept of a his music "Concert" is strange when you sit in the audience and the only thing on the stage is pianola. Why would anybody pay for that?! On the other hand his music played very loud in my room is beyond believe.