Two recent publications feature new Irish works for guitar.

US publisher Mel Bay has brought out a Contemporary Anthology of Solo Guitar Music for Five Fingers of the Right-Hand. This includes a work by David Flynn and is the first compilation of guitar music specifically composed for right-hand technique that includes the little finger.

Classical guitarists rarely use the little finger and this is something which Charles Postlewate, the editor, has addressed in a series of groundbreaking study methods also published by Mel Bay a number of years ago. The 57 compositions include original pieces in the Easy-Intermediate to Intermediate -Advanced levels by renowned guitarist/composers from Europe, North America, South America and the Caribbean.

The same publisher has also issued the album Contemporary Irish Music for Classic Guitar Solo, which is compiled and edited by leading Irish guitarist John Feeley. It presents six contemporary works fairly evenly divided with reference to their position in the composer's output and also to the composers' age. Three of the six are early works (Ciarán Farrell, Jerome de Bromhead and David Fennessy) while the remaining three were produced during the composers' more mature years (Jane O'Leary, Eric Sweeney and Seóirse Bodley).

The works vary widely in compositional style, approach to writing for the guitar, and technical requirements, thus presenting a generally good overview of contemporary Irish guitar music. This collection spans the period from 1970 to 2006 and includes Gemini by Jerome de Bromhead, the first Irish solo concert work for guitar. A short introduction to each composer and a background to his/her work is included.

Posted: 4 September 2009