This, the fifth and final movement of Penragone is dedicated to Alberto Ponce and provides an exciting conclusion to the set. lt starts with the guitars in playing unison semiquavers marked forte but they soon separate and throughout the piece the guitars take turns to play the thematic ideas within each musical section, often creating a sense of conflict. Sometimes the accompanying figures are flowing arpeggio style, though never major or minor chords and other times they are more angular. The flrst section ends after a big crescendo and some offbeat chords bouncing between the players. There follows a lovely lyrical lnterIude at a slower tempo and the music becomes gentler, with subtle use of harrnonics and étouffé. The Tempo 1 resumes and the music builds up over the next 70 bars. It begins with pianissimo single notes, then scurrylng serniquavers in both guitars, more conflict, and finally, huge chords to be played fortissimo bring the piece and the suite to an exhilarating fInish. The Pentagone is to be recommended for a duo of equally high standard looking for some substantial contemporary repertoire.
(Lorraine Eastwood, Classical Guitar Magazine, June 2002)
