SHORT PRESS RELEASE
Exquisite solo guitar music performed with warmth and flare. A perfect blend of new arrangements, some lesser known gems, a few old favourites and an original world premiere composition. Dale Harris plays with passion and tenderness. Works by Aguado, Harris, Milan, Mudarra, Myers, Sor and Tarrega.
NOTES ABOUT THE RECORDING
It was in the early 1970's when I first learned of the classical and flamenco guitar. I was aged about 4 or 5 and about that time, people also talked of the Spanish guitar. Being very young I began to investigate this mystery. Through this I began my path of discovery that remains as strong today, if not stronger. Hence, the Sherlock Holmes inspired subtitle, A Case Of The Spanish Guitar.
This album presents a mixture of music, some originating in Spain and some not. Milan and Mudarra both wrote for the Royal courts whilst retaining links to trends in folk-music of singing and dancing. Aguado and Sor were distinctly from the Mozart-inspired mould following the trends in European classical music and the arts of the day. The output of the eclectic Tarrega somehow embraces the contemporary romanticism that was popular in his day whilst borrowing from the baroque and classical periods and also the traditional flamenco. In addition, the piece by Myers and my own humble offering presented here are not Spanish at all but nonetheless retain a link with the influence of Spanish culture and music. Exactly, I would argue, how the traces of Spanish influence remain in otherwise unrelated music are retained is part of the 'mystery'. Maybe it is the sound of the guitar itself that reminds one of Spain? Whatever the reason, when I play this wonderful instrument, and especially in the genres presented here, I cannot help but see and feel Spain.
Dale Harris, London, January 2013.
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