Edward McGuire: Amazonia: Homage to Villa Lobos [download]

Work for solo guitar, composed in 1987.

Commissioned by Phillip Thorne, funded by the Scottish Arts Council and Hope Scott Trust.

First performance by Phillip Thorne at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, 13 February 1987.

“Amazonia refers to the rapidly disappearing rain forest of Brazil. Incidentally, the rosewood grown there known as Rio Rosewood is used in the construction of the sides and backs of guitars and can no longer be found in living trees, so widespread is the destruction of these forests. McGuire makes no direct quotes from the works of Villa-Lobos as such, but uses small motifs and characteristic harmonies from his style. The work is based on a six-note row theme from Choros II for flute and clarinet. The result is a work of quite remarkable originality, both technically and musically.“ - Phillip Thorne