Alan Hovhaness, Mozart, and Mandolin Concerto on Fretworks

This week on Fretworks, I have some music out of the ordinary guitar repertoire.  We'll hear part of a big guitar concerto by Alan Hovhaness, a piano sonata by Mozart arranged for flute and guitar, and a mandolin concerto from the 18th century.  Also, music for two guitars by Antione de Lhoyer. American composer Alan Hovhaness is probably best known for his Symphony No. 2, titled Mysterious Mountain.  It's music of a predominantly serene, mystical, and even spiritual sensibility.  The Guitar Concerto No. 2, commissioned in 1985 by the great Spanish guitarist Narciso Yepes, shares some of those qualities and blends influences from Eastern and Western music.  The only known performance took place in 1990.  The Bolivian born guitarist Javier Calderon will be the soloist in the 2nd and 3rd movements, marked Allegro giusto and Andante misterioso, from the premier recording on the Naxos label as part of their American Classics series. Flutist Ransom Wilson and guitarist Manuel Barrueco perform an arrangement of Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 16 in C, K. 545.  A popular favorite today, it was written in 1788 "for beginners," as Mozart indicated.  With its graceful melodies and lively character, it makes a perfect fit for flute and guitar. Also from the 18th century, I have a mandolin concerto from the Naples born Italian composer Nicolo Conforto.  Not very well-known today, he was apparently a gifted and sought after composer of cantatas and operas, but as is the case here, he took time to write instrumental music as well. We'll have time for a little more during the hour, so I have the Duo Concertant in A by the eminent French virtuoso guitarist, Antione de Lhoyer.  This Late-Classical/Early Romantic composer (1768-1852) wrote for two guitars in a beautifully balanced way, giving equality to each instrument.  He was also fond of making occasional musical references to Mozart in his works. Join me for music of the classical guitar, and mandolin this week on Fretworks here on Classical 101, Saturday evening at 7 and Wednesday evening at 7 pm. http://youtu.be/6qaw7dJcfXo