New Millennium Strings

Jaume Torrent (1953-)

Guitar Concerto No. 1

Torrent's Guitar Concerto No. 1 is a new work, which is both energetic and suave. The opening begins with a short introduction featuring the solo guitar. When the strings enter, they play a driving and rhythmic motive. The mixed meters from 2/4 to 3/8 and back again to 2/4 add rhythmic interest and melodic verve. Next the first violins play a cantabile melody, which is commented on by a lilting sequence of thirds in the guitar. The coupled rhythmic figure is developed and then heard throughout all the string parts. This technique seems nearly reminiscent of a Baroque concerto grosso, but is crafted with 20th century tonality. In the middle of the first movement is an Adagietto section, which is quiet and emotionally distant. Gradually, the driving sixteenth notes resurface in both the solo guitar and the strings.

Movement II begins with the violas playing a legato triplet ostinato. This repetitive rhythmic figure threads itself throughout the entire texture of the movement, although this triplet figure is also incorporated into the melodic line. This movement is heartfelt; the melody is like a folksong being sung with honesty and delivered to the listener straight from the heart.

Movement III begins with a rhythmic figure in the guitar and is followed by a dissonant cry in the first violins. As the opening rhythmic figure is accentuated by a crescendo, the violins play repetitive sixteenth notes. One wonders if this moment of drama is an excerpt from The Three Cornered Hat by Manuel de Falla. The movement is peppered with hemiola, or 2 against 3 rhythms, characteristically Spanish. Near the end of the movement a slower section, Lentamente, is heard. This is a short, but accelerated, transition which reiterates the fast and driving opening rhythmic theme.

-- program notes by Laurien Jones

October, 2003