Lamento

This is one of a number of works written by this composer for this unusual but interesting combination that has a multitude of sonic possibilities.
This 1986 work was primarily written for the composer and her brother Eric to perform. Marked Lento it begins with a long arpeggiated chord before a mournful sul tasto melody replete with harmonics sets the scene. The bass enters two bars later with an answering phrase similar to the guitar's opening one. The piece continues In a dialogue between the two instruments, the guitar largely consisting of single notes embellished by the occasional chord and the bass playing a mid-to-high-register melody, then a sudden tremolando idea on the bass heralds in an answering tremolo from the guitar. Playing gets trickier around this section as care is needed so as not to lose the beat. The tremolo turns into a fast sextuplet-semiquaver-arpeggio pattern around clashing seconds on the guitar while the bass plays a long sonorous counter theme. The arpeggios turn into ponticello triads before a rubato solo guitar section brings in the coda, which is very quiet, consisting of chords thrummed on the guitar against a final low solo line on the bass and a dying tremolo E against the guitar's final harmonic E.
This is an interesting work that betrays close examination. Any bass and guitar duo would do a lot worse than give this fine piece a try.
(Chris Dumigan, Classical Guitar Magazine)