Duarte: Homages, Works For Solo Guitar

Description

John Duarte (1919-2004) was one of the foremost and most influential guitarists and guitar composers of the 20th century. His work shows an excep- tionally wide range of styles. Some works reflect the Renaissance style of court lutenists such as John Dowland other works alternate in style between aleatory, atonal and graphic, contained within a conventionally notated framework and allowing spontaneous reaction between the performers. In many other works he employs a tonal language, often coloured by the folk music traditions of various nations, and romantic in mood. Over the course of a composing career which spanned 66 years, Duarte made many friendships with performers and composers. This recording documents the history of these relationships, as well as incorporating three homages from other composers to Duarte. The composers on this new recording include Dusan Bogdanovic, Terence Usher, Mark Houghton and Angelo Gilardino. Played with great command and feeling by Italian guitarist Daniela Rossi, described by the composer/guitarist Leo Brouwer as "...a performer with a very rare combination of energy, expression and perfect technique".