From jazz influences to traditional Scottish dance forms, this advanced piece by Matthew Dunne is ideal for a single player to showcase.
Reviewed in Classical Guitar magazine:
Landmarks is a substantial piece in three movements lasting around 18 minutes and dedicated to David Russell, who premiered the work in early 2017. The first movement, titled “Camilliola,” is a lengthy, relentless, and energetic jazz-inspired composition packed with many fluctuating rhythmic emphases generated by the multitude of different time signatures encountered throughout. There are the odd moments of free, calm episodes, but for the most part this is a roller-coaster ride of sizable proportions.
The second movement, “Cancion,” lives up to its title and provides a nice change of mood, with a lyrical and expressive melancholy apparently influenced by the beauty of Spanish songs.
Acknowledging David Russell’s Scottish ancestry, Landmarks concludes with “Reel Variations,” a piece that draws inspiration from traditional Scottish dance forms. With its highly melodic opening followed by four inspired variations (three fast, one slow), this makes a brilliant ending to a very enjoyable composition.
Playing through this new publication has been a pleasurable eye-opener, and for the advanced player
Landmarks would make an ideal choice for any concert program; it deserves wide exposure. The score presentation is excellent and fingering is provided by David Russell himself. —
Steve Marsh
