Album DescriptionThe Classical Guitar has had an active life in Japan since the early 1900's. Though not thought of as a Japanese instrument the popularity of the guitar in Japan has rapidly grown in the twentieth century and produced many excellent performers. Since the 1930's music has been published in Japan for the guitar, including many works by Japanese composers. Most of the works published before WWII are written by guitarist/composers and thus contain many of the conventions of nineteenth century European guitar music. Following WWII many composers who do not play guitar write and publish new music for the instrument. Much of the music from the early post war era is very modern/avant garde and reflects the newest trends in Europe and America. This CD is only a small portion of the excellent music that has been composed for the guitar in Japan (so keep watching for volume II!!!)