English Guitar Music of the 20th Century, Berkeley

Andrea Dieci (guitar)

Identifying the classical guitar with Spanish repertoire is a commonplace that is widely encountered. However, some major contributions to the guitar repertoire in the 20th century were made by a number of national schools, outstanding among which – for the quantity as well as quality of the pieces – is that of the United Kingdom. This album offers a significant sample, presenting music for solo guitar by four important composers: Cyril Scott, Lennox Berkeley, Benjamin Britten and William Walton.

Each of these four composers, though stylistically very different, took the guitar out of the salonesque environment of prettiness and quasi-exotic couleur locale and raised it to the level of other prominent concert instruments, the music being rich, challenging and holding an important place in their oeuvre.

Played by Andrea Dieci, “A true star of the classical guitar” (Corriere della sera), one of the most notable guitarists of his generation. He successfully recorded for Brilliant Classics music by Henze, Takemitsu, Sor, Piazzolla, Giuliani and others.

Berkeley:
 Theme and Variations for Guitar
 Quatre Pièces pour la guitare

Britten:
 Nocturnal after John Dowland for Guitar

Scott:
 Sonatina for Guitar

Walton:
 Five Bagatelles for Guitar