ISBN 9781513459752. 8.75x11.75 inches.

One might think that it would be impossible to arrange the music of Georges Bizets opera, Carmen, for solo classic guitar, but Nestor Ausqui has done it! While the guitar is an intimate and sweet-sounding instrument, it does not have a broad dynamic range; yet, as Dionisio Aguado proclaimed in his Nuevo Metodo para Guitarra of 1843, the classic guitars expansive palette of tone color gives it the ability to emulate a miniature orchestra. These characteristics make the guitar the ideal instrument to reflect both the character and sensuality of the dances that occur throughout Bizets CarmenAragonaise, Habanera, Seguidillas, and Danse Bohemeas well as Carmens sober Chant de la Mort. Recommended for the advanced guitarist, Carmen Suite is written in standard notation with extensive digitation and occasional drop-D tuning. In Nestor Ausquis Carmen Suite, the guitar both sings like a human voice and accompanies itself, giving the work an irrefutable guitar identity. The characteristic feeling manifested in Spanish dance is now expressed through the guitar with a full and defined instrumental singularity. Guillermo Rene? Alvarez Musicologist, Professor at the Instituto Superior de Mu?sica, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-Argentina.

ISBN 9781610656139.

The guitar's entrance into American culture began in the early 1800s, introduced primarily by visiting and immigrant Spanish guitarists. Many of these newly arrived Spaniards exerted great influence on the guitar's development in 19th century America. The works in this book contain the compositions and arrangements of eight noted 19th century Hispanic American guitarist / composers with an emphasis on their works that reflect Latin themes or rhythms. Rounding out this anthology are dance forms such as the Habanera, Jota, Cachucha, Sevillano, Spanish Mazurka, and other Spanish dance related works along with extended concert pieces such as Theme and Variations, Serenades, Polonaises and a delightful arrangement of The Celebrated Spanish Retreat, a programmatic work with an unusual 'C' tuning and novel harmonic effects crafted to imitate the bugles, horns and drums as heard on the battlefield. The book features twenty-one solos and two duets which range in difficulty from easy to advanced. An extensive and well researched text along with photos and a companion recording by acclaimed guitarist/scholar Douglas Back help to make this a landmark book.