Romance

"Romance has as a sub-heading: 'Homage to Carcassi' and everyone who has played this renowned 19th-century Italian's guitar studies will easily recognise that this piece is very much based upon Matteo Carcassi's Étude 3 in A major. Several years ago I had the dubious pleasure of reviewing an appalling version of this self-same study but played in 'swing' style and upon setting eyes on this score by Fabrice Pierrat and noticing the 'homage', alarm bells rang once more; however, all is well here and Pierrat's tongue-in-cheek slant on this piece actually makes it a very attractive and pleasing work to hear and play through. Romance is, if you like, a contemporary variation upon the original study. The opening bar is an exact copy but thereafter all is from the inventive mind of Pierrat and it has to be said that he has come up with some very alluring sounds here and made this a most desirable piece of music. This piece could easily be used as a latter-day counterpart to any student studying the original; it could also be a possible choice for players who perform in the restaurant/hotel situation. The score is neatly presented, contains sensible fingering and is of around the Grades 4-5 standard. A little gem!"

Steve Marsh (Classical Guitar Magazine)