I think one of the great chamber music ensemble genres coming out of the 20th century has been the guitar quartet, and here is a fine new one to enjoy. They are not from Santa Fe, New Mexico but from Santa Fe, Argentina – although oddly enough the recording was made in a church in Phoenix, Arizona. The quartet combines the talents of two North Americans and two Argentineans. While the group emphasizes the performance of Latin American music it plays a variety of works and has won acclaim around the world.
It is fitting that the initial work on the program is by Argentine Astor Piazzolla. The first of his three tangos is a transcription for the quartet of his classic Death of the Angel, following by two less-known tangos – Mumuki and Escualo. (Mumuki was his pet name for both his wife and his Yorkshire terrier!) The next three pieces come from an unexpected source, leading American jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny. They combine his influences of modern, tonal guitar sounds with a midwestern feeling and Brazilian rhythms. Albeniz is a perfect choice since many of his piano and orchestral pieces imitated the sound of the guitar. Guastavino was one of the leading Argentine composers of the last century. His two Romances – originally for two pianos – distill elements of Argentine folk music, including a dance named the “gato.” Will Ayton was born in China of missionary parents. His two pieces for the quartet combine Oriental and Renaissance music influences, but the composer also says that the music of Brazil’s Villa-Lobos influenced his Prelude.
– John Sunier
