A Song for Europe

The overblown title made my heart sink, but opening this edition revealed that British composer Mark Houghton is in on the joke with the subtitle «Homage to the Eurovision Song Contest«. (.) This is not an easy piece - some of the syncopation requires the ability to play on the off-beat for extended periods - and there are one or two scary runs (although in a mixed ability group, these could easily be shifted to the strongest players). Technically Grade five, the piece probably requires players nearer Grade Eight to make it effortless. But what makes this such a fascinating work is how the guitar carries it off so well - telling the joke but not being part of it - not that playing disco bass-lines on a classical guitar isn't a bit incongruous! By virtue of the large numbers of fillers and motifs, there's plenty of interest in all five parts, and everyone gets a little spot in the limelight. Mark Houghton is getting a well-deserved reputation for the ability to capture a bottle a large variety of styles in his guitar arrangements and this is one of the most pleasing to listen to. Derek Hasted (Classical Guitar Magazine)