Work

Programme Note

The Concerto was commissioned by Matthew Marshall and the Wellington Regional Orchestra (now Vector Wellington Orchestra), completed in May 1992 for a first performance planned for November 1992, and later postponed until May 1993.

This work is in three movements (quick – slow – quick), but these are connected by cadenza-like links for the guitar soloist, so that the music is continuous. In view of the balance problems in a guitar concerto I have written for a small orchestra (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, percussion and strings), and treated the relationship between solo and orchestra in a concertante style – sharing material rather than opposing each other, and aiming throughout to make the guitar easily audible. Dance rhythms, with touches of rhumba and jazz, predominate in the quick movements, while the slow central movement uses variable speed tremolo on the guitar to enhance its singing qualities.

Commissioned:

Commissioned by Matthew Marshall and the Wellington Regional Orchestra (now Vector Wellington Orchestra)

• Matthew Marshall
• Orchestra Wellington

Difficulty:

Advanced

Performance History

	05 Jun 1993	Performed by Matthew Marshall (guitar), Wellington Regional Orchestra (now Vector Wellington Orchestra), conducted by Andrew Sewell
		Andrew Sewell    Matthew Marshall    Orchestra Wellington
	12 Oct 1996	Performed by Matthew Marshall (guitar), University of Guanajato Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Sewell, at the Cervantino Festival, Guanajato, Mexico.
		Andrew Sewell