Cinq préludes simples

Camisassa was born in Argentina and his music is often infused by its rhythms and musical style. This latest offering is no exception. These “simple preludes” are more moderate than simple, as regards difficulty of execution. Take, for example, Milonguita, ostensibly in 4/4 with the archetypical 3, 3, 2 spacing to the bar, and one soon finds bars of 5/8 and 7/8 creeping in amongst the 4/4. There are only two voices throughout but they keep you guessing as to what direction they are going to take next and the result is often surprising. Balada de Otono is next; a direct harmonic style is evident here, with plenty of room for a little rubato here and there and a pleasing melody with nice harmonies. Nocturnal is more evasive in its style; it has a marking of “Librement”, and a slightly folksy element to some of its harmonies and a più mosso section in the middle that takes one into slightly unexpected harmonic territories. Pêcheur de Rêves is again infused with 3, 3, 2 rhythms, although its base is an emotive harmonic structure that is very pleasing. The final Au Travers de tes Yeux is, for me, the best of the lot, with a slightly stop-start feel to its melody and haunting harmonies. This is a nice set of pieces. Its harmonic style is very immediate with lots of pleasing guitar work and yet has that necessary element of individuality, so that you don't think you've heard it all before.

Chris Dumigan (Classical Guitar Magazine)