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Exciting New Music from Frank Wallace, Guitarist & Composer

Louis W. Arnold | Lunenburg, MA | 11/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc gives us compelling new music in the tradition of the performer-composer. I say tradition because Mr. Wallace's compositions are based on inspirations and models that have been used since the fifteenth century right through the present day. The earliest compositions for solo lute and vihuela de mano (both instruments that Wallace performs on, though not on this album)contain examples of arrangments or fantasies based on songs that were in the popular culture. Frank Wallace's new CD does that by including music based on a Shaker song as well as Blues based compositions. This CD can also be heard as being in the vein of the great 19th and early 20th century century guitarist - composers. Frank's Etude 7 , played on a 100 year old Manuel Soto Y Solares guitar gives listeners a deep though short melodic experience. I am sure that a student learning this piece would develop a more intimate relationship with her or his instrument by virtue of the work done to express this poignant melody. The music on this CD is highly polyphonic and extremely energetic in places. At other times the mood is tender and reflective. The total production is very much under the artist's control - from composition to performance through recording engineering and graphic presentation. This CD is first-rate and represents the best of today's Classical guitar tradition."