Les 100 de Roland Dyens - Le mouchoir bleu

Here is another piece in this fine series with a dual purpose; namely, a study piece for players who need extra work on unusual rhythmic groups and also a fine piece to play in a short recital. The time signature changes frequently here but begins on 5/8 grouped as 3 + 2 at first, only to suddenly change to 2 + 3 a little further on, The occasional 4/8 bar also adds to the momentary musical confusion. When the next musical idea occurs we find bars of 4/4, 12/8, 7/8 and 9/8 in constant collision with each other, before the opening idea returns for one final time leading to a coda based on the second idea and a “repeat and fade” final bar. The piece is only ever in one or two voices throughout but the accent here is on playing in ever changing rhythms and times and not on how many notes you can fit into one chord at one time. So, in summation, another really good and useful piece that continues to show what a fine composer Dyens is and how varied each of these pieces is. Great!

Chris Dumigan (Classical Guitar Magazine)