Fantasy

There is a pleasant, short-lived little motif hinted at in the Adagio introduction which is enlarged upon, and is used as a repetitive, rhythmic topic during the main body of the composition and here Mark Houghton has delved back into the 16th century and utilized the origins of the musical fantasy (fancy; fantisie; fantasia) where a musical idea was developed throughout the piece, almost in an improvisational manner. After the initial Adagio the work takes on a moto perpetuo character with small snippets of melody appearing out of the blue and utilizing the style of the afore-mentioned motif but in a much grander manner before a calm conclusion is reached six pages later with a return to the opening part of the work. Like everything this composer produces, the work is well written, is entertaining and would suit the concert platform situation. The piece is dedicated to Ray Burley who also did the editing in this edition. The technical requirement to do full justice to this piece is around Grade 7.

Steve Marsh (Classical Guitar Magazine)