Determinants (© 2006 RAE Records) is a compilation of elegant and virtuosic music for the guitar. The album contains the world premiere recording of the two-movement work, Determinants, composed by Brandon Louis Jones. -Price: $13.99-
Mounsiers Almaine by Batchelar
La Catedral I by Agustin Barrios
La Catedral II by Agustin Barrios
La Catedral III by Agustin Barrios
Fantasia No. 7 Dolce by Telemann
Fantasia No. 7 Allegro by Telemann
Fantasia No. 7 Largo by Telemann
Fantasia No. 7 Presto by Telemann
Determinants: Evocation by B.L. Jones
Determinants: Toccata by B.L. Jones
Sicilienne by Fernando Sor
Notes on the Music:
Mounsier’s Almaine is a set of variations written by the Renaissance composer/lutenist Daniell Batchelar (c.1574-1618). This lively and playful piece is over ten minutes long in its original form. I have chosen to perform an abridged version containing my favorite variations.
Often called the “Chopin of the guitar,” Paraguayan composer Agustín Barrios (1885-1944) wrote almost exclusively for this instrument. La Catedral is one of his best known works among over one hundred surviving guitar pieces. The first two movements portray the meditative tranquility of a beautiful cathedral’s interior. The third movement depicts the bustling city streets outside the cathedral walls.
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was a friend and colleague of J.S. Bach. Although the latter is now regarded as one of the greatest composers in history, Telemann enjoyed a much more successful music career during his lifetime. In fact, J.S. Bach became cantor at Leipzig only because Telemann turned down the job. Fantasia No. 7 is an elegant work in four movements originally composed for solo violin in the key of E flat. With the guitar in D-tuning and a capo on the first fret, the piece fits quite easily on the fret board in its original key.
My first composition for the guitar, titled Determinants, is thus named for the themes and motives that function as building blocks and determine the progression of the piece. The motives originate in the Evocation, and hint at the key areas and intervals that will follow. The Toccata moves suddenly in a new direction using the motives in a different way. The primary melody of the Evocation returns in a new key during the middle section of the Toccata.
The Well Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach (1685-1750) is an extraordinary collection of preludes and fugues composed to celebrate the new equal-temperament tuning system developed for the keyboard in the eighteenth century. Prelude No. 1 in C Major is the first of the twenty-four preludes. This arrangement for guitar is based on Christopher Parkening’s transcription.
Fernando Sor (1778-1839) was a pivotal figure in the history and development of the classical guitar. He composed over two hundred and fifty works, and was one of the first guitarists to achieve a successful international performance career. Trois Pičces de Société Op. 33 is a collection of three charming, multi-movement works. I perform here the third, which is comprised of the Sicilienne and Marche.
Sérgio Assad (b.1952) is a pioneer for the modern classical guitar. In addition to performing around the world with his brother Odair as the Assad Duo, Sérgio has composed numerous pieces for solo and duo guitar as well as other instruments. Fantasia Carioca was originally conceived as an orchestral work that the composer adapted for solo guitar. The main melody, presented clearly at the opening, is developed in different ways as the piece unfolds. The sweeping drama and dynamic contours portray the land and culture of Rio de Janeiro. Farewell, a condensed version of the guitar duo piece of the same title, is a deeply moving expression of grief and loss.
© 2006 RAE Records