CARLOS GUASTAVINO - Guitar Sonata No. 2

South America is a vast continent embracing many nations and a bewildering diversity of musical cultures. This selection brings together works by composers from a variety of Latin American countries. Some migrated from region to region, and this is reflected in their compositions; others travelled extensively in their careers, but their music remained essentially rooted in their home country. Altogether, the programme offers a fascinating, kaleidoscopic array of styles, united throughout by the universal voice of the guitar, the national instrument of South America. Carlos Guastavino (1912–2000) One of the foremost Argentine composers of his era, Carlos Guastavino (1912–2000), born in Santa Fe Province, was also one of the most prolific, writing over five hundred works including many songs for voice and piano. A talented pianist, he was invited by the BBC to perform his piano works in London in the late 1940s; in 1956 he performed his works for voice and piano in China and the USSR. He was throughout his career the recipient of national and international awards and honours. Sonata No. 2 for Guitar (1969) Guastavino’s Sonata No. 2 for guitar was published in 1969. The first movement, in modified rondo form and marked Allegretto intimo ed espressivo, begins with a gently rhythmic theme before an episode dolce e cantabile offers a quieter mood. After a return to the main theme, another episode, un poco meno mosso, concludes the first movement with a very poignant melody. The second movement, Andante sostenuto, reveals the composer at his most lyrical with expressive themes that are characteristically Argentinian in their introspective beauty. Here Guastavino also reveals his profound love of the guitar’s intimate sonorities. The third movement, Presto, is reminiscent of a Bach gigue in its brilliantly scampering intensity. A rubato middle section reminds us that we are still in the emotional landscape of Argentina, before the gigue-like momentum returns. [Naxos] 0:00 I. Allegretto intimo ed espressivo 5:37 II. Andante sostenuto 9:37 III. Presto Artwork Used: unlimited by クメキ Performers: Devine, Graham Anthony, guitar The music published in our channel is exclusively dedicated to divulgation purposes and not commercial. This within a program shared to study classic educational music of the 1900 & 2000’s (& some Baroque/Before) which involves thousands of people around the world. If someone, for any reason, would deem that a video appearing in this channel violates the copyright, please inform us immediately before you submit a claim to Youtube, and it will be our care to remove immediately the video accordingly. Your collaboration will be appreciated.