Romance for cello and guitar performed by the Argondizza duo. Peter Argondizza, guitar and Pauline Argondizza, cello. Written by Eddie McGuire

Argondizza, Peter and Argondizza, Pauline and McGuire, Eddie (1995) Romance for cello and guitar performed by the Argondizza duo. Peter Argondizza, guitar and Pauline Argondizza, cello. Written by Eddie McGuire. [Performance]

[thumbnail of 11_Argondizza_Duo_ _Romance] Audio. Filename: 11_Argondizza_Duo_Romance.aiff
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Abstract

Sensuality: essence and nonsense.This is an extended single movement work written in various sections. The composer, Eddie McGuire, exploits several sound effects unique to the guitar including rasqueado (flamenco strumming or 'scratching') and tremelo whilst highlighting the timbral and technical similarities between the 'cello and guitar, both of which come laden with Romantic baggage. After the fragmented cells of the opening sections a long singing cello line deveopes 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 confrontations. The musical give and take displayed in this performance could be used as a metaphor for a genuinely successful romance.The recording is of alive performance from Dundee Cathedral. The work was premiered and commissioned by the Argondizza Duo with a grant from the Scottish Ats Council. This recording appears on volume 8 of "Unknown Public" series of recordings. The score has been edited by Peter Argondizza and published by Cadenza Music.