Festival de Paris

As is becoming customary, Mr Dyens is liberal and humorous with his detailed performance markings, including the need for a latex glove (don't ask!). Let's begin with the most important remark of all - this isn't a straightforward piece; it is most definitely considerably above Grade 8 in standard. The rhythmic complexity is such that a single bar of 4/4 fills the entire width of the page on more than one occasion. Taking the metronome mark into account we can see that we're playing extended runs at the rate of seven notes-a-second, and frequently with complex rhythms. That having been said, the score is beautifully clear and easy to understand and all the performance indications are well-explained inside. Opening with a rhythmically tight, crisp fanfare-like and assertive phrase, the music is a tantalizing mix of volumes and tone contrasts. This might be the first time that classical guitarists play slap bass, and the bass guitar part is every bit as challenging as the others, of which three are tuned down to D. That bottom D figures in a tremolo-like passage using duplicate notes so that the notes are played p, i, m rather than a, m, i and the notes are low, rather than high. Extended passages in harmonics, with brushing of strings and pizzicato present a light, airy feel, and the flesh of the thumb is used to broaden the tonal palette still further. As the piece builds towards its finale there is a line of strumming, but still the dynamic veers between ff and pp, over and over. This piece will live or die according to the precision and synchronization of the players, but when executed tightly and confidently, this is a delightful Single-movement piece with plenty of contrasts and development. The typography is a testament to the professionalism of the publisher.

Derek Hasted (Classical Guitar Magazine)