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1 IN THE BEGINNING ZORAN DUKIĆ
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In the Beginning- Libreto · Fantasia-Sonata (Op. A=22) is the beginning. Composed at the height of his career in 1932 as a commission from Andrés Segovia, the work stands together

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Page 1: In the Beginning- Libreto · Fantasia-Sonata (Op. A=22) is the beginning. Composed at the height of his career in 1932 as a commission from Andrés Segovia, the work stands together

24 1

I N T H E B E G I N N I N G

Z O R A N D U K I Ć

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2 23

Recording: Burguillos, Spain, Contrastes Records Studio, 1-3 July 2015

Recording Engineer & Supervisor: Francisco Bernier

Artwork: Royds Fuentes-Imbert

Design: Morpheus Communications Inc.

Sleeve notes: John Griffiths

Zoran Dukic plays a guitar made by Daniel Friederich

Produced by Contrastes Records

www.contrastesrecords.com

www.cataloguecontrastesrecords.com

C R E D I T S

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22 3

Joan Manén (1883-1971)

1. Fantasía-Sonata (18:45)

Simone Iannarelli (1970)

2. Lullaby for Sarah (04:03)

Dusan Bogdanovic (1955)

Sonata nº4

3. Appassionato, ritmico, rubato, meno (05:04)

4. Lento, rubato (03:14)

5. Allegretto, meno, rubato, Allegretto (03:03)

6. Allegro ritmico, poco sostenuto (02:43)

Gerard Drodz (1955)

7. Adagio (08:17)

Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996)

8. Muir Woods (05:38)

Gyan Riley (1977)

9. Uspavanka for Tea (05:44)

Total Time: 56:43

I N T H E B E G I N N I N G

ZORAN DUKIĆ GUITAR

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4

IN THE BEGINNING

In the beginning… three simple words that evince profound solemnity,

a phrase that echoes ancestral resonances, a beginning that promises

revelation… three words that threaten to explain the secrets of a

civilisation or the very mystery of existence itself. In its simplicity, the

title of this collection by Zoran Dukić speaks to the nature and the spirit

of the music he has chosen to record, and to the ambitions of the six

composers it represents. This is music not to be taken lightly, but to be

understood as the sounds of revelatory ancestral voices. The guitar is the

orator, also the oracle.

Catalan composer Joan Manén (1883-1971) is at least one generation

older than any other composer represented in this collection, and close

to a hundred years older than the youngest composer here. As soon as

21

Su dominio de la guitarra queda resumido en las siguientes críticas:

“…Un maestro virtuoso, huye en todo momento del virtuosismo efectista y vacuo…Trata a su instrumento con íntima sensibilidad y extrae de él sus más preciados sonidos, cálidos y nobles...Es una de las grandes � guras de su generación.” ONLINE MUSIK MAGAZÍN; Alemania.

“Un músico dotado de un vigor y una energía reservada únicamente a los más grandes…Su vibrato llega directo al corazón…su sonoridad, inspiración y lirismo son capaces de mover montañas...Llobet, Pujol, Segovia y Presti están aquí otra vez!” CAHIERS DE LA GUITARRE; Francia.

“...Dukic es, sin exageración alguna, uno de los mejores guitarristas hoy en día y uno de los músicos más grandes que ha tenido Croacia…Su virtuosismo deja sin aliento; sus niveles de dinámica son fascinantes; su tono, de una belleza y claridad impresionantes. Su increíble capacidad de concentración le permite sumergirse en las profundidades del alma de la música, trayéndonos a la super� cie toda su dimensión metafísica arropada y envuelta con sonidos.” ZAREZ, Croacia.

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20

ZORAN DUKIĆ

Zoran Dukic (1969, Zagreb, Croacia) es uno de los guitarristas clásicos más destacados de nuestra época. Sus interpretaciones, ya sea como solista o acompañado de orquesta, dejan imborrables huellas en público y crítica.

“Emocionante concierto…el público le ovacionó de pie desde la primera pieza…Una noche espectacular” GEVELSBERGER ZEITUNG, Alemania.

“...Artista de una excepcional sensibilidad…una caja de sorpresas llena de expresividad...establece una comunicación absoluta mediante la música...una noche verdaderamente inolvidable ” NOVI LIST, Croacia.

Se graduó en la Music Academy de Zagreb, Croacia, con Darko Petrinjak y completó sus estudios con Hubert Käppel en la Hochschule für Musik de Colonia, Alemania.

“...¡qué manera poderosa de cautivar al público!” VIOLÃO INTERCAMBIO, Brasil.

Ha actuado en países de los 5 continentes y servido de inspiración a numerosos compositores. Sus estrenos mundiales de nuevas músicas demuestran su admiración por la expresión musical contemporánea. En sus programas se incluyen obras de Takemitsu, Henze, Reily, Carter o Gubaidulina entre muchos otros. Asimismo ha realizado giras dedicadas exclusivamente a programas de Bach, interpretando ciclos completos de suites para laúd, violín o cello. La obra de J.S. Bach continua siendo un pilar fundamental en su carrera musical.

5

you hear the recording you will understand why. In many ways, Manén’s

Fantasia-Sonata (Op. A=22) is the beginning. Composed at the height of

his career in 1932 as a commission from Andrés Segovia, the work stands

together with the Antonio José Sonata of 1933 as the beginning of modern

Spanish guitar music. It is undoubtedly one of the most significant large-

scale guitar works of its time, an important beginning. In many ways,

Manén was typical of Spanish composers of his age. He was born in

Barcelona and from childhood developed his reputation as a prodigious

pianist and violinist. His interest in composition also developed early

and, even though he was largely self taught, he achieved early success

with two of his operas that were premiered at the prestigious Teatre del

Liceu in Barcelona shortly before he turned twenty. Immediately after

this, he moved to Berlin where he spent a decade until the outbreak of

World War I. During this period in the German capital he absorbed many

late Romantic compositional trends through his admiration of Wagner

and Richard Strauss. This gave him a breadth of musical language that

would give him the facility to oscillate between a style grounded in

middle European Romanticism and the nationalistic flavours of much

contemporary Spanish music. This stylistic breadth is clearly evident in

the Fantasia-Sonata. A pensive work born deep inside the guitar, both

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6

emotionally and linguistically, it slowly emerges from darkness and

develops episodically with passages in contrasting styles that unfold

towards a strong climax. It draws upon a broad range of elements that

reveal the composer’s imaginative fantasy. It encompasses elements

clearly drawn from Manén’s middle-European palette, others that are

closer to Spanish traditional rhythms and guitaristic idioms, and others

where these impulses are abstracted into a more personal language.

Of a much younger generation, Italian born Simone Iannarelli (1970-)

is currently professor of guitar at the University of Colima in Mexico and

enjoys a flourishing career as both a guitarist and composer. His Lullaby

for Sarah is another work that grows from the intimacy of expression

that is the guitar’s natural language. It is a beautiful melodic piece that

juxtaposes passages built from harmonics with delicate melodic writing

accompanied by harmonies that are indebted to both jazz and early

twentieth-century Impressionism.

Composed for Zoran Dukić in 2015, and premiered on this recording,

Sonata No. 4 by Dusan Bogdanovic (1955-) is a welcome addition to the

guitar’s repertoire, a work drawn from the composer’s eclectic palette

19

de 1996, poco después de fallecer Takemitsu, Muir Woods es la última

de la serie de tres piezas editadas bajo el título In the Woods. El tono de

despedida es evidente en su concisión, en su comprensión de la fragilidad

de la humanidad comparado con la grandeza eterna de las secoyas de

Muir Woods, y en la forma en que la música que nos acompaña en vida

desvanece en un silencio final.

Como si fuera un epitafio a la obra anterior, el tono reflexivo y ancestral

del Adagio, Op. 44, del polaco Gerard Drozd (1955-) sirve como final ideal

de esta colección. Es obra de un compositor y guitarrista autor de más de

250 obras para guitarra que va ganando cada vez mayor reconocimiento

crítico en todo el mundo. Su Adagio es una hermosa aria cantabile que

evoca el estilo de la música barroca a través de su estilo melódico, de su

textura abierta, y de su bajo simple y constante. Es música de hoy que

mira hacia atrás… hacia el principio.

John Griffiths

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18

y articulación de percusión que contrastan con una sección interna de

un estilo lírico y recitativo. El cuarto movimiento se basa en un impulso

rítmico vibrante que mezcla ritmos binarios y ternarios libremente antes

de una conclusión más mesurada.

También compuesto para Zoran Dukić, Upsavanka for tea es el segundo

movimiento de Zonata (2005) del renombrado guitarrista y compositor

estadounidense Gyan Riley (1977-). Es una aria evocadora que se

desarrolla lentamente por encima de un bajo, tocado principalmente

con pizzicato y en movimiento perpetuo, mientras el tiempo se detiene.

Criado en la costa oeste e hijo del reconocido compositor minimalista

Terry Riley, Gyan Riley reside ahora en Nueva York, donde ha desarrollado

una extraordinaria carrera como guitarrista y compositor.

La atmósfera encantada se prolonga en una obra del maestro japonés,

Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996), inspirada en Muir Woods, bosque famoso

en las afueras de San Francisco y no muy lejos de donde Gyan Riley se crió.

Escrita durante los últimos meses de la vida de Takemitsu, es la última de

una serie de composiciones para guitarra que muestran su afición por el

instrumento. Dedicada a Julian Bream quien estrenó la obra en octubre

7

with a maturity that is the result of many years of assimilation of diverse

influences. One of the prolific guitar composers of our time, Bogdanovic’s

musical language draws from his classical training as well as his strong

interest in ethnic musics, jazz and improvisation. Serbian-born, and with

an extensive teaching and performing career in Europe and America,

Bogdanovic is currently professor of guitar at the Haute École de

Musique in Geneva. Composer and guitar soloist, he is also renowned for

a large number of collaborations with classical and jazz musicians, and

as the author of books on improvisation, polyrhythm and polymetrics.

Sonata No. 4 is in four movements but with little reliance on traditional

formal conventions. The work unfolds with an organic coherence that

is intuitive and immediately comprehensible. The first movement is a

powerful and elegiac invocation, but with considerable variety and

changes of mood. The second is slower, quieter and pensive throughout.

The third movement follows a ternary design with outer sections that are

marked by angular rhythms and percussive articulation that contrasts

with a recitative-like internal section. The fourth movement is propelled

by a vibrant rhythmic impetus that mixes duple and triple units freely

prior to a more measured conclusion.

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8

Also composed for Zoran Dukić, Upsavanka for tea is the second

movement of the Zonata (2005) by renowned American guitarist

composer Gyan Riley (1977-). It is a haunting aria that flows continuously

above a pizzicato bass. The music moves in perpetual motion while time

stands still. Raised on the West Coast and son of renowned minimalist

composer Terry Riley, Gyan Riley is now based in New York where he has

developed an extraordinary career as guitarist and composer.

The haunting mood is continued in a work by Japanese master Toru

Takemitsu (1930-1996) inspired by the Muir Woods that are not far

from where Gyan Riley grew up in San Francisco. Completed in the last

months of Takemitsu’s life, it is the last of a number of compositions

that show his affection for the guitar. Dedicated to Julian Bream who

premiered the work in October 1996 shortly after Takemitsu’s death,

Muir Woods is the last in the set of three pieces composed under the

title In the Woods. The valedictory nature of the work is evident in its

concision, its understanding of the frailty of humanity in the comparison

to the agelessness of the sequoia trees of Muir Woods, and in the way that

the music that accompanies us while alive slips into silence at the end.

17

Compuesta para Zoran Dukić en 2015 y estrenada en esta grabación,

la Sonata No. 4 de Dusan Bogdanovic (1955-) es una bienvenida adición

al repertorio de la guitarra, una obra que explota el mundo ecléctico

del compositor con una madurez que es el resultado de muchos años de

asimilación de influencias diversas. Uno de los guitarrista-compositores

prolíficos de nuestro tiempo, la música de Bogdanovic se basa en su

formación clásica, mezclada con su fuerte interés por las músicas étnicas,

el jazz y la improvisación. Serbio de nacimiento y con una extensa

carrera como intérprete y docente en Europa y América, Bogdanovic es

actualmente profesor de guitarra en la Haute École de Musique de Ginebra.

Es conocido también por el número elevado de colaboraciones realizadas

con intérpretes de música clásica y jazz, y como autor de libros sobre la

improvisación, la polirritmia y polimetría. Sonata No 4 está concebida

en cuatro movimientos sin obedecer a las convenciones tradicionales del

género. La obra se desarrolla con una coherencia orgánica que es intuitiva

e inmediatamente comprensible. El primer tiempo es una invocación

potente y elegíaca que muestra, a la vez, una variedad considerable

tanto técnica como expresiva. El segundo movimiento es más lento,

más tranquilo y pensativo desde principio a final. El tercero sigue un

diseño ternario con secciones externas marcadas por ritmos angulares

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16

Fantasía-Sonata. Una obra pensativa que surge desde dentro de la guitarra,

tanto en su emoción como en su lenguaje, es música que emerge de la

oscuridad, desvelándose en episodios y pasajes contrastados hasta llegar

a un fuerte punto climático. Se inspira en una amplia gama de elementos

que manifiestan la fantasía del autor. Incorpora elementos derivados de

su vocabulario centroeuropeo, mezclados con otros que recuerdan más

a ritmos tradicionales españoles y lo idiosincrásico de la guitarra, desde

citas casi literales hasta momentos en los que estos impulsos se abstraen

en un lenguaje más personal.

De una generación mucho más joven, el italiano Simone Iannarelli

(1970-) es actualmente profesor de guitarra en la Universidad de Colima

en México donde florece su trayectoria como guitarrista y compositor.

Su Lullaby for Sarah es otra pieza que nace de la intimidad expresiva

que es el lenguaje natural de la guitarra. Es una obra lírica y bella en la

que pasajes de armónicos alternan con frases melódicas sobre un fondo

armónico inspirado en el jazz o el impresionismo de comienzos del siglo

XX.

9

In the spirit of an epitaph to the previous piece, the ancestral tone of

this collection concludes with the reflective Adagio, Op. 44, by prolific

Polish composer and guitarist Gerard Drozd (1955-). He is the author of

more than 250 works for the guitar that have been earning him increasing

critical praise throughout the world. The Adagio is a gorgeous cantabile

aria that evokes the style of baroque composition through its melodic

style, its sparse texture, and its simple bass. It is music of today that looks

over its shoulder… towards the beginning.

John Griffiths

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10

ZORAN DUKIĆ

Zoran Dukic (1969, Zagreb) was presented with a guitar at the early age of six. Today he is one of the most distinguished classical guitarists of our time. His concert performances, both as a soloist or with an orchestra, leave long-lasting impressions on audiences and critics alike.

“A thrilling concert... the audience was on its feet already a� er the � rst piece... a phenomenal evening” GEVELSBERGER ZEITUNG, Germany.

“...Artist of exceptional sensitivity... a treasure box of expression...what a directness of communication through music...a truly unforgettable evening” NOVI LIST, Croatia .

“...what a power for captivating the attention of the audience!” VIOLÃO INTERCAMBIO, Brazil.

His performances throughout the 5 continents have inspired numerous composers to dedicate their works to him. His premiers of new music are strengthened by his admiration of contemporary musical expression. His programs include works by Takemitsu, Henze, Reily, Carter or Gubaidulina among many others. He has also toured with entire Bach programs, performing complete cycles of lute, violin or cello suites. Music by J. S. Bach is still the focal point of his musical life.

His mastery of the instrument is best summed up in following quotes:

“...Master-virtuoso, avoiding at every instance e" ect-striving, empty virtuosity... He treats his instrument with intimate sensibility and cherishes warm and noble guitar sound... He is a leading guitarist of his generation.” ONLINE MUSIK MAGAZIN, Germany.

15

disco, el lector entenderá el porqué. Desde varios puntos de vista, la

Fantasía-Sonata (Op. A=22) es el principio. Compuesta cuando su

autor estaba en la cima de su producción en 1932, encargo de Andrés

Segovia, la Fantasía-Sonata representa, junto con la Sonata de Antonio

José (1933), el comienzo de la música española moderna para guitarra.

Sin duda, es una de las obras en grande escala más significativas de su

tiempo: un principio importante. En muchos sentidos, Manén era un

típico compositor español de su época. Desde muy joven desarrolló una

reputación en su Barcelona natal de niño prodigio en el violín y el piano.

También comenzó muy joven su actividad de compositor y, a pesar de

ser principalmente autodidacta, logró estrenar dos óperas suyas en el

prestigioso Gran Teatre del Liceu poco antes de cumplir los veinte años.

En seguida después de estos éxitos, se trasladó a Berlín donde residió

durante diez años hasta estallar la primera Guerra Mundial. Durante

su estancia asimiló muchas de las tendencias compositivas tardo-

románticas y mostró gran admiración por la música de Wagner y Richard

Strauss. Esto le permitió ampliar su lenguaje musical de tal forma que

le daría la posibilidad de oscilar entre un estilo centroeuropeo y los

sabores nacionalistas que seguían muy presentes en la música española

contemporánea. Esta amplitud estilística se encuentra muy presente en la

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14

IN THE BEGINNING

En el principio… tres palabras sencillas que despiertan una solemnidad

profunda, una frase que evoca resonancias ancestrales, un comienzo que

promete revelación… tres palabras que amenazan descubrir los secretos

de una civilización, o el misterio de la vida misma. En su simplicidad, el

título de esta colección de Zoran Dukić encierra la naturaleza y el espíritu

de la música presentada aquí y las intenciones de los seis compositores

representados. No es música de tomar a la ligera, sino de entender como

sonidos de voces ancestrales reveladoras. La guitarra es el orador, y

también el oráculo.

El compositor catalán Joan Manén (1883-1971) es de una generación

anterior a los demás compositores que figuran en esta colección, y

separado del más joven por casi un siglo. En cuanto se escucha este

11

“...Master of the instrument, shining in virtuoso moments as well as in the intimate ones. � e sonority he creates from his guitar is as admirable as his palette of expression and elegance.” EL NORTE, Mexico.

“...always the master of his instrument, Dukic demonstrated spectacular virtuosity over and over again together with a great maturity and powerful inspiration.” IL GAZZETTINO, Italy.

“A musician with vigour and power reserved only for the great...his way of vibrato on certain notes goes straight to your heart...his sonority, inspiration and lyricism can move mountains...Llobet, Pujol, Segovia, Presti are back!” CAHIERS DE LA GUITARE, France.

“...Dukic is, without exaggeration, one of the best guitarists of today and one of the greatest musicians Croatia has ever had... Breathless virtuosity, fascinating levels of dynamics, astounding beauty and clarity of tone and unbelievable concentration and focus as he dives into the depths of the spirit of the music, bringing back to us its metaphysical dimension disguised and cloaked in sound.” ZAREZ, Croatia.

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22 3

Joan Manén (1883-1971)

1. Fantasía-Sonata (18:45)

Simone Iannarelli (1970)

2. Lullaby for Sarah (04:03)

Dusan Bogdanovic (1955)

Sonata nº4

3. Appassionato, ritmico, rubato, meno (05:04)

4. Lento, rubato (03:14)

5. Allegretto, meno, rubato, Allegretto (03:03)

6. Allegro ritmico, poco sostenuto (02:43)

Gerard Drodz (1955)

7. Adagio (08:17)

Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996)

8. Muir Woods (05:38)

Gyan Riley (1977)

9. Uspavanka for Tea (05:44)

Total Time: 56:43

I N T H E B E G I N N I N G

ZORAN DUKIĆ GUITAR

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1212 1313

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14

IN THE BEGINNING

En el principio… tres palabras sencillas que despiertan una solemnidad

profunda, una frase que evoca resonancias ancestrales, un comienzo que

promete revelación… tres palabras que amenazan descubrir los secretos

de una civilización, o el misterio de la vida misma. En su simplicidad, el

título de esta colección de Zoran Dukić encierra la naturaleza y el espíritu

de la música presentada aquí y las intenciones de los seis compositores

representados. No es música de tomar a la ligera, sino de entender como

sonidos de voces ancestrales reveladoras. La guitarra es el orador, y

también el oráculo.

El compositor catalán Joan Manén (1883-1971) es de una generación

anterior a los demás compositores que figuran en esta colección, y

separado del más joven por casi un siglo. En cuanto se escucha este

11

“...Master of the instrument, shining in virtuoso moments as well as in the intimate ones. � e sonority he creates from his guitar is as admirable as his palette of expression and elegance.” EL NORTE, Mexico.

“...always the master of his instrument, Dukic demonstrated spectacular virtuosity over and over again together with a great maturity and powerful inspiration.” IL GAZZETTINO, Italy.

“A musician with vigour and power reserved only for the great...his way of vibrato on certain notes goes straight to your heart...his sonority, inspiration and lyricism can move mountains...Llobet, Pujol, Segovia, Presti are back!” CAHIERS DE LA GUITARE, France.

“...Dukic is, without exaggeration, one of the best guitarists of today and one of the greatest musicians Croatia has ever had... Breathless virtuosity, fascinating levels of dynamics, astounding beauty and clarity of tone and unbelievable concentration and focus as he dives into the depths of the spirit of the music, bringing back to us its metaphysical dimension disguised and cloaked in sound.” ZAREZ, Croatia.

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10

ZORAN DUKIĆ

Zoran Dukic (1969, Zagreb) was presented with a guitar at the early age of six. Today he is one of the most distinguished classical guitarists of our time. His concert performances, both as a soloist or with an orchestra, leave long-lasting impressions on audiences and critics alike.

“A thrilling concert... the audience was on its feet already a� er the � rst piece... a phenomenal evening” GEVELSBERGER ZEITUNG, Germany.

“...Artist of exceptional sensitivity... a treasure box of expression...what a directness of communication through music...a truly unforgettable evening” NOVI LIST, Croatia .

“...what a power for captivating the attention of the audience!” VIOLÃO INTERCAMBIO, Brazil.

His performances throughout the 5 continents have inspired numerous composers to dedicate their works to him. His premiers of new music are strengthened by his admiration of contemporary musical expression. His programs include works by Takemitsu, Henze, Reily, Carter or Gubaidulina among many others. He has also toured with entire Bach programs, performing complete cycles of lute, violin or cello suites. Music by J. S. Bach is still the focal point of his musical life.

His mastery of the instrument is best summed up in following quotes:

“...Master-virtuoso, avoiding at every instance e" ect-striving, empty virtuosity... He treats his instrument with intimate sensibility and cherishes warm and noble guitar sound... He is a leading guitarist of his generation.” ONLINE MUSIK MAGAZIN, Germany.

15

disco, el lector entenderá el porqué. Desde varios puntos de vista, la

Fantasía-Sonata (Op. A=22) es el principio. Compuesta cuando su

autor estaba en la cima de su producción en 1932, encargo de Andrés

Segovia, la Fantasía-Sonata representa, junto con la Sonata de Antonio

José (1933), el comienzo de la música española moderna para guitarra.

Sin duda, es una de las obras en grande escala más significativas de su

tiempo: un principio importante. En muchos sentidos, Manén era un

típico compositor español de su época. Desde muy joven desarrolló una

reputación en su Barcelona natal de niño prodigio en el violín y el piano.

También comenzó muy joven su actividad de compositor y, a pesar de

ser principalmente autodidacta, logró estrenar dos óperas suyas en el

prestigioso Gran Teatre del Liceu poco antes de cumplir los veinte años.

En seguida después de estos éxitos, se trasladó a Berlín donde residió

durante diez años hasta estallar la primera Guerra Mundial. Durante

su estancia asimiló muchas de las tendencias compositivas tardo-

románticas y mostró gran admiración por la música de Wagner y Richard

Strauss. Esto le permitió ampliar su lenguaje musical de tal forma que

le daría la posibilidad de oscilar entre un estilo centroeuropeo y los

sabores nacionalistas que seguían muy presentes en la música española

contemporánea. Esta amplitud estilística se encuentra muy presente en la

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Fantasía-Sonata. Una obra pensativa que surge desde dentro de la guitarra,

tanto en su emoción como en su lenguaje, es música que emerge de la

oscuridad, desvelándose en episodios y pasajes contrastados hasta llegar

a un fuerte punto climático. Se inspira en una amplia gama de elementos

que manifiestan la fantasía del autor. Incorpora elementos derivados de

su vocabulario centroeuropeo, mezclados con otros que recuerdan más

a ritmos tradicionales españoles y lo idiosincrásico de la guitarra, desde

citas casi literales hasta momentos en los que estos impulsos se abstraen

en un lenguaje más personal.

De una generación mucho más joven, el italiano Simone Iannarelli

(1970-) es actualmente profesor de guitarra en la Universidad de Colima

en México donde florece su trayectoria como guitarrista y compositor.

Su Lullaby for Sarah es otra pieza que nace de la intimidad expresiva

que es el lenguaje natural de la guitarra. Es una obra lírica y bella en la

que pasajes de armónicos alternan con frases melódicas sobre un fondo

armónico inspirado en el jazz o el impresionismo de comienzos del siglo

XX.

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In the spirit of an epitaph to the previous piece, the ancestral tone of

this collection concludes with the reflective Adagio, Op. 44, by prolific

Polish composer and guitarist Gerard Drozd (1955-). He is the author of

more than 250 works for the guitar that have been earning him increasing

critical praise throughout the world. The Adagio is a gorgeous cantabile

aria that evokes the style of baroque composition through its melodic

style, its sparse texture, and its simple bass. It is music of today that looks

over its shoulder… towards the beginning.

John Griffiths

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Also composed for Zoran Dukić, Upsavanka for tea is the second

movement of the Zonata (2005) by renowned American guitarist

composer Gyan Riley (1977-). It is a haunting aria that flows continuously

above a pizzicato bass. The music moves in perpetual motion while time

stands still. Raised on the West Coast and son of renowned minimalist

composer Terry Riley, Gyan Riley is now based in New York where he has

developed an extraordinary career as guitarist and composer.

The haunting mood is continued in a work by Japanese master Toru

Takemitsu (1930-1996) inspired by the Muir Woods that are not far

from where Gyan Riley grew up in San Francisco. Completed in the last

months of Takemitsu’s life, it is the last of a number of compositions

that show his affection for the guitar. Dedicated to Julian Bream who

premiered the work in October 1996 shortly after Takemitsu’s death,

Muir Woods is the last in the set of three pieces composed under the

title In the Woods. The valedictory nature of the work is evident in its

concision, its understanding of the frailty of humanity in the comparison

to the agelessness of the sequoia trees of Muir Woods, and in the way that

the music that accompanies us while alive slips into silence at the end.

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Compuesta para Zoran Dukić en 2015 y estrenada en esta grabación,

la Sonata No. 4 de Dusan Bogdanovic (1955-) es una bienvenida adición

al repertorio de la guitarra, una obra que explota el mundo ecléctico

del compositor con una madurez que es el resultado de muchos años de

asimilación de influencias diversas. Uno de los guitarrista-compositores

prolíficos de nuestro tiempo, la música de Bogdanovic se basa en su

formación clásica, mezclada con su fuerte interés por las músicas étnicas,

el jazz y la improvisación. Serbio de nacimiento y con una extensa

carrera como intérprete y docente en Europa y América, Bogdanovic es

actualmente profesor de guitarra en la Haute École de Musique de Ginebra.

Es conocido también por el número elevado de colaboraciones realizadas

con intérpretes de música clásica y jazz, y como autor de libros sobre la

improvisación, la polirritmia y polimetría. Sonata No 4 está concebida

en cuatro movimientos sin obedecer a las convenciones tradicionales del

género. La obra se desarrolla con una coherencia orgánica que es intuitiva

e inmediatamente comprensible. El primer tiempo es una invocación

potente y elegíaca que muestra, a la vez, una variedad considerable

tanto técnica como expresiva. El segundo movimiento es más lento,

más tranquilo y pensativo desde principio a final. El tercero sigue un

diseño ternario con secciones externas marcadas por ritmos angulares

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y articulación de percusión que contrastan con una sección interna de

un estilo lírico y recitativo. El cuarto movimiento se basa en un impulso

rítmico vibrante que mezcla ritmos binarios y ternarios libremente antes

de una conclusión más mesurada.

También compuesto para Zoran Dukić, Upsavanka for tea es el segundo

movimiento de Zonata (2005) del renombrado guitarrista y compositor

estadounidense Gyan Riley (1977-). Es una aria evocadora que se

desarrolla lentamente por encima de un bajo, tocado principalmente

con pizzicato y en movimiento perpetuo, mientras el tiempo se detiene.

Criado en la costa oeste e hijo del reconocido compositor minimalista

Terry Riley, Gyan Riley reside ahora en Nueva York, donde ha desarrollado

una extraordinaria carrera como guitarrista y compositor.

La atmósfera encantada se prolonga en una obra del maestro japonés,

Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996), inspirada en Muir Woods, bosque famoso

en las afueras de San Francisco y no muy lejos de donde Gyan Riley se crió.

Escrita durante los últimos meses de la vida de Takemitsu, es la última de

una serie de composiciones para guitarra que muestran su afición por el

instrumento. Dedicada a Julian Bream quien estrenó la obra en octubre

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with a maturity that is the result of many years of assimilation of diverse

influences. One of the prolific guitar composers of our time, Bogdanovic’s

musical language draws from his classical training as well as his strong

interest in ethnic musics, jazz and improvisation. Serbian-born, and with

an extensive teaching and performing career in Europe and America,

Bogdanovic is currently professor of guitar at the Haute École de

Musique in Geneva. Composer and guitar soloist, he is also renowned for

a large number of collaborations with classical and jazz musicians, and

as the author of books on improvisation, polyrhythm and polymetrics.

Sonata No. 4 is in four movements but with little reliance on traditional

formal conventions. The work unfolds with an organic coherence that

is intuitive and immediately comprehensible. The first movement is a

powerful and elegiac invocation, but with considerable variety and

changes of mood. The second is slower, quieter and pensive throughout.

The third movement follows a ternary design with outer sections that are

marked by angular rhythms and percussive articulation that contrasts

with a recitative-like internal section. The fourth movement is propelled

by a vibrant rhythmic impetus that mixes duple and triple units freely

prior to a more measured conclusion.

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emotionally and linguistically, it slowly emerges from darkness and

develops episodically with passages in contrasting styles that unfold

towards a strong climax. It draws upon a broad range of elements that

reveal the composer’s imaginative fantasy. It encompasses elements

clearly drawn from Manén’s middle-European palette, others that are

closer to Spanish traditional rhythms and guitaristic idioms, and others

where these impulses are abstracted into a more personal language.

Of a much younger generation, Italian born Simone Iannarelli (1970-)

is currently professor of guitar at the University of Colima in Mexico and

enjoys a flourishing career as both a guitarist and composer. His Lullaby

for Sarah is another work that grows from the intimacy of expression

that is the guitar’s natural language. It is a beautiful melodic piece that

juxtaposes passages built from harmonics with delicate melodic writing

accompanied by harmonies that are indebted to both jazz and early

twentieth-century Impressionism.

Composed for Zoran Dukić in 2015, and premiered on this recording,

Sonata No. 4 by Dusan Bogdanovic (1955-) is a welcome addition to the

guitar’s repertoire, a work drawn from the composer’s eclectic palette

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de 1996, poco después de fallecer Takemitsu, Muir Woods es la última

de la serie de tres piezas editadas bajo el título In the Woods. El tono de

despedida es evidente en su concisión, en su comprensión de la fragilidad

de la humanidad comparado con la grandeza eterna de las secoyas de

Muir Woods, y en la forma en que la música que nos acompaña en vida

desvanece en un silencio final.

Como si fuera un epitafio a la obra anterior, el tono reflexivo y ancestral

del Adagio, Op. 44, del polaco Gerard Drozd (1955-) sirve como final ideal

de esta colección. Es obra de un compositor y guitarrista autor de más de

250 obras para guitarra que va ganando cada vez mayor reconocimiento

crítico en todo el mundo. Su Adagio es una hermosa aria cantabile que

evoca el estilo de la música barroca a través de su estilo melódico, de su

textura abierta, y de su bajo simple y constante. Es música de hoy que

mira hacia atrás… hacia el principio.

John Griffiths

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ZORAN DUKIĆ

Zoran Dukic (1969, Zagreb, Croacia) es uno de los guitarristas clásicos más destacados de nuestra época. Sus interpretaciones, ya sea como solista o acompañado de orquesta, dejan imborrables huellas en público y crítica.

“Emocionante concierto…el público le ovacionó de pie desde la primera pieza…Una noche espectacular” GEVELSBERGER ZEITUNG, Alemania.

“...Artista de una excepcional sensibilidad…una caja de sorpresas llena de expresividad...establece una comunicación absoluta mediante la música...una noche verdaderamente inolvidable ” NOVI LIST, Croacia.

Se graduó en la Music Academy de Zagreb, Croacia, con Darko Petrinjak y completó sus estudios con Hubert Käppel en la Hochschule für Musik de Colonia, Alemania.

“...¡qué manera poderosa de cautivar al público!” VIOLÃO INTERCAMBIO, Brasil.

Ha actuado en países de los 5 continentes y servido de inspiración a numerosos compositores. Sus estrenos mundiales de nuevas músicas demuestran su admiración por la expresión musical contemporánea. En sus programas se incluyen obras de Takemitsu, Henze, Reily, Carter o Gubaidulina entre muchos otros. Asimismo ha realizado giras dedicadas exclusivamente a programas de Bach, interpretando ciclos completos de suites para laúd, violín o cello. La obra de J.S. Bach continua siendo un pilar fundamental en su carrera musical.

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you hear the recording you will understand why. In many ways, Manén’s

Fantasia-Sonata (Op. A=22) is the beginning. Composed at the height of

his career in 1932 as a commission from Andrés Segovia, the work stands

together with the Antonio José Sonata of 1933 as the beginning of modern

Spanish guitar music. It is undoubtedly one of the most significant large-

scale guitar works of its time, an important beginning. In many ways,

Manén was typical of Spanish composers of his age. He was born in

Barcelona and from childhood developed his reputation as a prodigious

pianist and violinist. His interest in composition also developed early

and, even though he was largely self taught, he achieved early success

with two of his operas that were premiered at the prestigious Teatre del

Liceu in Barcelona shortly before he turned twenty. Immediately after

this, he moved to Berlin where he spent a decade until the outbreak of

World War I. During this period in the German capital he absorbed many

late Romantic compositional trends through his admiration of Wagner

and Richard Strauss. This gave him a breadth of musical language that

would give him the facility to oscillate between a style grounded in

middle European Romanticism and the nationalistic flavours of much

contemporary Spanish music. This stylistic breadth is clearly evident in

the Fantasia-Sonata. A pensive work born deep inside the guitar, both

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IN THE BEGINNING

In the beginning… three simple words that evince profound solemnity,

a phrase that echoes ancestral resonances, a beginning that promises

revelation… three words that threaten to explain the secrets of a

civilisation or the very mystery of existence itself. In its simplicity, the

title of this collection by Zoran Dukić speaks to the nature and the spirit

of the music he has chosen to record, and to the ambitions of the six

composers it represents. This is music not to be taken lightly, but to be

understood as the sounds of revelatory ancestral voices. The guitar is the

orator, also the oracle.

Catalan composer Joan Manén (1883-1971) is at least one generation

older than any other composer represented in this collection, and close

to a hundred years older than the youngest composer here. As soon as

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Su dominio de la guitarra queda resumido en las siguientes críticas:

“…Un maestro virtuoso, huye en todo momento del virtuosismo efectista y vacuo…Trata a su instrumento con íntima sensibilidad y extrae de él sus más preciados sonidos, cálidos y nobles...Es una de las grandes � guras de su generación.” ONLINE MUSIK MAGAZÍN; Alemania.

“Un músico dotado de un vigor y una energía reservada únicamente a los más grandes…Su vibrato llega directo al corazón…su sonoridad, inspiración y lirismo son capaces de mover montañas...Llobet, Pujol, Segovia y Presti están aquí otra vez!” CAHIERS DE LA GUITARRE; Francia.

“...Dukic es, sin exageración alguna, uno de los mejores guitarristas hoy en día y uno de los músicos más grandes que ha tenido Croacia…Su virtuosismo deja sin aliento; sus niveles de dinámica son fascinantes; su tono, de una belleza y claridad impresionantes. Su increíble capacidad de concentración le permite sumergirse en las profundidades del alma de la música, trayéndonos a la super� cie toda su dimensión metafísica arropada y envuelta con sonidos.” ZAREZ, Croacia.

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Recording: Burguillos, Spain, Contrastes Records Studio, 1-3 July 2015

Recording Engineer & Supervisor: Francisco Bernier

Artwork: Royds Fuentes-Imbert

Design: Morpheus Communications Inc.

Sleeve notes: John Griffiths

Zoran Dukic plays a guitar made by Daniel Friederich

Produced by Contrastes Records

www.contrastesrecords.com

www.cataloguecontrastesrecords.com

C R E D I T S

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I N T H E B E G I N N I N G

Z O R A N D U K I Ć

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