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Guitar's Soul: British Composers Explored
17 Apr
Summary
- New album explores guitar's expressive potential by three British composers.
- Harrison Birtwistle's piano works rearranged for guitar offer a revelation.
- Works by Adès and Dillon showcase diverse guitar techniques and forms.
Sean Shibe presents a thoughtfully curated album exploring the guitar's expressive range, featuring works by three prominent British composers. The program weaves together themes of Spain, 20th-century painters, and antique musical forms.
Thomas Adès contributes Forgotten Dances, which playfully updates baroque suites with imaginative titles and techniques, alongside Vesper, a reimagining of Henry Purcell. Shibe's performance is noted for its articulation and technical mastery.
A central revelation of the album comprises five melodic miniatures by Harrison Birtwistle. Three of these are arrangements by Forbes Henderson of Birtwistle's piano originals, including early works like Berceuse de Jeanne and the composer's earliest acknowledged score, Oockooing Bird.
The recital concludes with James Dillon's 12 Caprices, a series of brief explorations into the instrument's structural and expressive modes. This collection offers an elusive yet engaging finale to the imaginative program.
