15 Feb 2016

David FARQUHAR: Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra

From Resound, 12:00 pm on 15 February 2016

This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.

This work is in three movements (quick – slow – quick), but these are connected by cadenza-like links for the guitar soloist, so that the music is continuous. In view of the balance problems in a guitar concerto I have written for a small orchestra (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, percussion and strings), and treated the relationship between solo and orchestra in a concertante style – sharing material rather than opposing each other, and aiming throughout to make the guitar easily audible. Dance rhythms, with touches of rhumba and jazz, predominate in the quick movements, while the slow central movement uses variable speed tremolo on the guitar to enhance its singing qualities.

'Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra' was commissioned by Matthew Marshall and the Wellington Regional Orchestra (now Orchestra Wellington), completed in May 1992 for a first performance planned for November 1992, and later postponed until May 1993.

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