Adagio, opus 44c

"I recently reviewed the solo guitar version of this piece Adagio Op. 44, and now realise that Drozd has done multiple versions of this piece in a number of different combinations. This two guitar version is in two main sections that repeat, followed by a return of the opening idea as a close. It is written as a tribute to Bach, and although it consists of a plodding quaver bass, for much of its duration, which does resemble areas of Bach's instrumental works; the harmonies gradually move away from anything approaching Bach's by the 2nd section. (Incidentally there is a fine YouTube performance by Anabel Montesinos and Marco Tamayo; its dedicatees, in case you are interested in how it sounds). Having said that, there are moments throughout when other musical influences creep in, even a Debussyan moment at bar 3, to mention but one. The writing for both parts is dense and often chordal and there are numerous moments when you have to be prepared to play demisemi- and even hemidemisemiquavers, in spite of the slow speed of 56-quavers-a-minute, and as a result it requires a considerable degree of flair and technical expertise to bring it off as written.

If it has a fault. in its eight-and-a-half minutes, it is that with repeats, it does drag a little, particularly towards the middle of the second half and I found the second repeat particularly unnecessary; although I can see that some might disagree with me. That said, it is generally a fine piece of writing that many a duo, especially if they are able to cope with the rather high degree of difficulty involved, will find a worthy piece to add to their repertoire."

Chris Dumigan (Classical Guitar Magazine)