Le vieux buron, opus 276

An intriguing miniature by one of the most respected composers of music for the guitar. Buron is a village in Normandy, France. It was the scene of two dreadful battles in 1944. The cover illustration shows a deserted cottage under a brooding sky and this sets the mood of the music. However this is a lovely work, using both 5th and 6th string being retuned, the music unfolds over a haunting ostinato-like bass line.
The composer has told us how he hears the music by giving his dynamics, which should be worked with as a matter of course if you want to understand the dynamic structure of the composition. When you've done that and understood what he's saying, then naturally you may you may chose to deliver a different perspective; but when we are lucky to have a composer who gives such a detailed score you know he is aware of how his music is constructed, it simply makes our job in finding the truth in the music a little easier. I just wish this lovely piece was part of a set rather than having to stand on its own it is so good.
John Arran