PHAROS CDs — Latest guitar CDs with original compositions.

VESTIGES

Artwork by Emma Excell

Introduction & notes by Mary Green

Introduction:

This second collection of guitar solos is described by the composer as Neo-Classical with more than a hint of Impressionism. John is one of our most prolific guitar composers recognised both for the originality and quality of his music.

VESTIGES were conceived as individual guitar solos but due to their common link with ancient life in Sussex they have become part of a series published as Book One and Book Two. All have an undercurrent of mythology and while the notes offer some explanation the listener may well discover their own visions and sounds of Sussex within these pieces.

Other composers have used this idea of grouping their work by links other than that of formal music genre, such as The Legends by Antonin Dvorak which he described as a ‘Cycle’; Enrique Granados whose 12 Spanish dances were subtitled 'Escenas Poeticas' and Iberia by Isaac Albeniz, consisting of a collection of 12 Spanish 'Scenes'.

This collection of John’s work also has a parallel in ‘Miroirs’ which consists of five reflective works by Maurice Ravel, each piece being dedicated to a member of his peer group.

And In Arcadia... , subtitled South Hill, that lies between two estuaries, was completed in January 2008. The flowing waters of the Sussex Ouse and the Cuckmere can be heard travelling towards the white cliffs and the sea as clouds scud across the sky. The music tells of Stone Age settlers and their mysterious lives in a land of plenty.

Silva Sub Castro, which translates as Wood Under The Castle, is subtitled A Trysting Place and was completed in April 2008. The gentle, wistful tone paints a melancholy picture of a secret meeting place full of unfulfilled hopes and dreams.

Carausius, a Menapian military commander of the Roman Empire, was in charge of a fleet of ships in the English Channel and appointed himself Ruler of Britain in 286AD. The strong determined counterpoint portrays his harsh, tyrannical nature and deeds. This piece is subtitled The Pirate and was completed in December 2008.

Golden Martlets, with the enigmatic subtitle Heralds, Questers, Stoics and Sages, was completed in January 2010. These little birds, which can be heard flitting and flying through the music, were used as symbols in the early days of heraldry. Confined by neither earth nor sky they are happy with both.

The Lonely Man, subtitled The Wilmington Giant, was completed in September 2010 and is heavy with a sadness not fully understood. It follows the lumbering progress of a solitary giant whose life ended on Windover Hill, where he still lies.

Oh Silver River, subtitled The Cuckmere, was completed in May 2010. This music is about what goes on beneath the river’s surface, the flashes of silver eels as they travel ever onwards through the waters that flow from the Flittebrook down to the sea at Exceat.

THE ARBOREAL SUITE consists of four studies, their common factor being the use of the tremolo technique. The tremolo is a continual reiteration of the melody note, making the guitar sound like a sophisticated mandolin. These studies are named after trees that bordered three sides of Ashampstead, John’s first school to which the suite is dedicated.

Yew Tree , composed in 2006, is the prelude to this suite. A gentle, evocative piece, written in A minor with a 9/8 time signature.

Beech Tree is an unusual piece that was written in Spring 2007. Inspired by the music of Hungarian composer Franz Lehar, with a time signature of 2/4, it is a sprightly piece carried by a flowing melody.

Blackthorn is all about the number five. The time signature is 5/4, the basic theme and developments are resolved in five bars and the right hand plays quintuplets the flamenco way. Firmly rooted in D it is written in an open key. The music is as spiteful and complex as the thorny tree itself, this piece was completed in 2009.

The Willows, completed in October 2007, begins in D major before moving into an open key signature for the minor section. Sun sparkles off the water and shadows dance to its old fashioned 6/4 rhythm.

THREE TANGOS: The tango genre, with its high drama, concentrated emotion and sex appeal, has always fascinated John. These three tangos are in traditional Argentinean style, which is not to be confused with the tamer ballroom genre.

The Crimson Circle is named after an early Edgar Wallace film. It is also based on Michael Carr's theme 'Man of Mystery', which was the signature tune for a television series of Edgar Wallace stories. Melodic and tantalising, it circles around, leading us on. It was completed in June 2006.

La Coupole, begun in January 2008 but not completed until September 2010, is a celebration of the famous Parisian brasserie with its bustling restaurant and basement ballroom. Upright yet fluid, correct and in control, this piece shows us how a tango should be danced.

Beachcomber was written in April 2010. Younger, lighter and less formal than the other two tangos it was named at the suggestion of one of John’s pupils who felt it described an opportunistic scoundrel.

Introduction and music notes by Mary Green

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Latest guitar CDs with original compositions.

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