‘Mediterranean’ is the follow-up to 2006’s highly successful ‘Grand Duo’, which was released in 2006 and won many new fans, including BBC’s Rob Cowan, who described it as ‘a lovely disc’, also receiving considerable radio airplay on Classic FM, BBC Radio and on radio stations all over Germany. Whereas ‘Grand Duo’ explored original 19th Century music written for guitar duo, ‘Mediterranean’ is its 20th century counterpart. Once again, every note is played exactly as it was written and intended to be heard and there are 2 world premières on the disc. The musical language on ‘Mediterranean’ comprises rich sonorities, vivid colours, and a range of expression from almost violent drama to sublime peacefulness. All the shades, colours and textures of Mediterranean life are here, from sunrise to sunset, dance to stillness, water to fire, ocean to sky, anguish to joy. The Arada Guitar Duo, namely Simon Davies and Nicholas Lee, reached the finals of the inaugural Landor Competition. Simon and Nicholas began playing guitar together in 1992 while studying classical guitar with Gordon Crosskey, John Williams and Craig Ogden. The evocative programme notes on this release are written by Graham Wade, one of the most prolific and respected writers on guitar music.
October 2008
“These are marvellous performances, the overwhelming impression being one of a genuine three-way conversation between composer and each of the performers.”
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