Alexandre Lagoya once said: 'For one Guitar you can write what the Guitar will allow you to write. For two Guitars you can write what you choose.' While there is a measure of overstatement in this it remains true that themedium of two Guitars allows much greater creative freedom to the composer.There are many kinds of Guitar-duo works- at one extreme the very simple at the other the call for two virtuosi; those in this book inhabit themiddle of this spectrum. They are not in effect accompanied Guitar solos but equal duets in which two players of moderate technical ability converse with one another sharing the lead. This they do without sacrificing musicalinterest.Two of the pieces consist of variations on folk tunes - Shades of Green uses the Irish tune The Next Market Day while Varieties of Scotch is based on the well known Scottish tune YeBanks and Braes. The remaining duet is an affectionate nod in the ragtime direction of Scott Joplin. The two sets of variations are suitable for concert use and Joblinesque is a natural encore piece.

Duets For Two Acoustic Guitars-The Christmas season has always been special to me. It is a season that has crystallized the hopes aspirations and faith of millions of people through the centuries. The amount of music written for Christmas is monumental.This book contains 14 scores from my Christmas Guitar Portraits recording. I selected various genres dear to me.First there are selections from the early American sacred song tradition. The Babe of Bethlehem Cherry Tree Carol A Star in the East The Shepherd's Star A Virgin Unspotted and I Wonder As I Wander all are from this rich heritage.I also picked a number of carols from theOld English genre. Away In The Manger Green Grow'th the Holly and What Child is This are included.Then there are the Christmas favourites. In the Bleak Mid-winter and a medley ofBaloo Lammy; The First Noel and Silent Night make any Christmas complete. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is one of my favourite Advent hymns. Gaudete Christus est natus is arousing carol dating back many centuries.Finally I included two originals. Lullay My Liking is an ancient carol text. Many composers over the centuries have written melodies to these lyrics most notably GustavHolst. I could not resist the temptation so the melody here is original. Finally Christmas Prayer is a new composition. I have always wanted to compose and arrange music designed to bring the Plectrum or Flatpick Guitarto the concert stage. These arrangements were written with that in mind.