The compositions on this CD mark the final forays of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco into expansive works crafted for concert guitarists, bound together by a cohesive concept and a consistent unity of inspiration. Most importantly, they stand as the ultimate pieces for solo guitar that the Italian composer managed to fully complete. “Appunti” op. 210, his final composition for solo guitar, commissioned by Ruggero Chiesa, remain unfinished, albeit of notable merit: Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s death precluded their completion, with just the initial two notebooks fulfilled. Moreover, these notebooks were expressly designed for a student audience, since they are characterised by their approachability and mechanical simplicity.
For the reasons outlined above, it is clear that the pieces included in this anthology represent the final two solo guitar works by the Florentine maestro. My decision to record these pieces was driven by the desire to offer a last glimpse into Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s musical perspective in 1961. At that point, he had attained a level of maturity and an understanding of the guitar that enabled him to articulate his musical ideas most effectively, unfettered by external influences. As with all snapshots, these recordings encapsulate a particular moment in the composer’s history, freezing a specific instant with remarkable clarity. This happened despite the rapidity with which Castelnuovo-Tedesco committed his ideas to paper, following often lengthy periods of contemplation, meditation, and development. Additionally, these snapshots illuminate the brief timespan during which these compositions emerged: they are imbued with a significant allure as his final works, yet I maintain that they (alongside “Les Guitares Bien Tempérées” for two guitars) embody the zenith and the comprehensive poetic essence of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s creative journey.
