Edward McGuire: Romance for Cello and Guitar [download]

Commissioned by the Argondizza Duo with Scottish Arts Council funding 1994 and first performed by them at the Edinburgh International Guitar Festival, 4 April 1994.

“This is a single-movement work in various sections. McGuire exploits several sound effects unique to the guitar, including rasqueado (flamenco strumming or 'scratching') and tremolo, and highlights some timbral and technical similarities between the two instruments, which come laden with plenty of romantic cultural baggage. After the fragmented cells of the opening sections, a long, singing, cello melody develops against an agitated guitar part that resolves into gentle harmonics. The instrumental roles swing from accompaniment to solo virtuosity - from confidently interlocking duetting to robust confrontation. The musical give and take displayed in this performance could be used as a metaphor for a genuinely successful romance.”