Las Ramblas

This work is for five guitars and a contra guitar, though the latter part is playable on an ordinary guitar and is not simply a slimmed-down copy of another line, but a vital part of the soundscape. Percussion abounds, and the glossary explains eight different effects written as pitched notes with an X notehead. Fortunately, once the few effects and rhythms specific to a line are learned, then the power of the piece comes from the way the different percussive pitches and rhythms of each line are woven together. For much of the piece, guitar 5 is doing something different to everyone else, percussion when the rest are playing melody, and chords when the rest are playing percussion - an effective and enjoyable piece of writing. Set in A minor, this feels good on guitar - shapes are familiar and the high passages are straightforward in rhythm and pitch. There is an opening minor theme in 3/3/2 rhythm, and a more melody-like theme set over a lush landscape of simple strummed chords, with a brisk rhythm and a lovely journey through minor and major keys, before shrinking to just rhythm and bass with guitars one to four banging and slapping variously. A slower, squarer, tempo heralds another theme before there is a lengthy and effective reprise of the strummed section, this time taking it down to percussion and bass alone before building it up once more to a strong and enjoyable finish. The overall standard is surprisingly modest, perhaps Grade 5-6. However, keeping a tight ensemble with every line totally reliable, tight and able to hold their rhythm against considerable distractions from the other parts, well that will need either a large ensemble with one strong player on each line, or a small ensemble of mature and confident players. The South American feel, the catchy percussion and the lovely chord sequences will ensure that any performance of this piece at, say, a school concert will be a real crowd pleaser.
Derek Hasted (Classical Guitar Magazine)