Music for Two Guitars Vol. 1

Abstract

Mario Castclnuovo-Tcdeseo, born in Florence, studied composition and piano at the Isliluio Musicalc Chembiiii and later at the Lieeo Music-ale of Bologna. His mentors were Pizzelli and Casclla, members of the influential and progressive Societa Ilaliana di Musica. a group of composers, including Malipiero and Respighi. with whom Castelnuovo-Tedesco became closely associated. CasTelnuovo-Tcdesco's interest in writing for the guitar began willi his introduction to Andres Segovia, who had travelled to Italy with Manuel de Falla, at the Venice Inicrimtional Fcnlivnl in 1932. As a Jesuit he was to compose over a hundred works for the instrument, including concertos, chamber music, many solos and some of the finest pieces for two guitars, the latter inspired by the illustrious French duo, Ida Presti and Alexandre I .agoya. In 1939, as a result of Mussolini's anti-Jewish edicts, Castlenuovo-Tedeseo was obliged to seek refuge abroad, but after settling in California he became a prolific writer of fi Im music between 1940 and 1956, in the same period composing more than seventy concert works. As a member of the faculty of the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, he numbered among his pupils Henry Maneini, Nelson Riddle, Andr6 Previa, and the composer John Williams. A guitar tradition of duo playing stretches back to the early nineteenth century when Fernando Sor wrote several outstanding ducts to perform with his friend. Oionisio Aguado. while various other com poser/per formers such as Mauro Giuliani and Fernando Carulli also composed fine works for two guitars. In the twentieth century a number of distinguished duos established an international reputation, the most eminent being the famous duo of Ida Presti and Alexandre Lagoya to whom Castelnuovo-Tedesco dedicated the works on this recording. Sonatina Canonica, Op. 190, was written in 1961. The composer, in a letter to the dedicatees, Presli/l.agoya, on 9th October. 1961, commented: This is a small work, 'without pretensions', a Sonatina Canonica for two guitars in three movements, and I hope that this is 'playable and that also it will he pleasant to play! Probably there will be some necessary adjustmentsWe can make any changes that you wish. (Or you yourselves can make them without consulting me.)