This comprehensive edition brings together all of the standard pieces in the adopted Albeniz guitar repertoire along with additional pieces that complete many of the suites and other groupings as published during the composer's lifetime. These solo arrangements were made while consulting the earliest editions of the piano originals, and are faithful to Albeniz tempo indications, dynamics, phrasing slurs, and other expression markings. the selections are: Pavana-Capriccio, Op. 12 (1992); Suite espanola, Op. 47 (1886); Recuerdos de viaje, Op. 92 (1888); Doce piezas espanolas, Op. 164 (1889); Espana, seis hojas de album, Op. 165 (1890); Serenata espanola (Cadiz, cancion), Op. 181 (1890); Mallorca, barcarola, Op. 202 (1890); Zambra granadina, danse orientale, WoO (1891); Cadiz-gaditana, WoO (1891); and Chants d'Espagne, Op. 232 (1891-1894). Carefully researched and meticulously fingered in the scholarly manner one would expect from Stanley Yates.

One might think that it would be impossible to arrange the music of Georges Bizet’s opera, Carmen, for solo classic guitar, but Néstor 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 Método para Guitarra of 1843, the classic guitar’s 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 Bizet’s Carmen—Aragonaise, Habanera, Seguidillas, and Danse Bohéme—as well as Carmen’s 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 Néstor Ausqui’s 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 René Alvarez Musicologist, Professor at the Instituto Superior de Música, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-Argentina

Nestor Ausqui hails from the picturesque Argentinian city of Santa Fe: a robust and vibrant city catering to the arts and culture, most notably music. Definitive de Falla is Ausqui's second book from Mel Bay Publications, following the release of the Nestor Ausqui Collection (MB99894EB). This book and accompanying audio represent an important collection in the classical guitar genre. Guitarists from around the world will enjoy Ausqui's faithful attention to detail in the transcriptions,making this book an excellent addition to any guitarist's library.

This collection of Latin-influenced pieces is ideal for the classical or fingerstyle guitarist seeking challenging new material that spans a number of genres and is melodically, harmonically, and rhythmically engaging. For the classical guitarist, the collection offers an excellent source of solos inspired by traditional forms and styles while providing new works that will readily compliment the traditional classical guitar repertoire. Fingerstyle players will discover attractive pieces, appreciating the many syncopated rhythms. The composer himself, with a degree in classical guitar, performs on a modified steel-string instrument. Written in standard notation only, the author's detailed fingerings and online audio recordings will facilitate learning these delightful pieces ranging from intermediate to advanced levels. Includes access to online audio. At Mel Bay Publications, we are privileged to hear a lot of new, original music. With Michael Bellmont's guitar compositions, we guarantee that once you hear them, you'll want to play them yourself!

Classic and flamenco guitarists alike will benefit from these etudes as they bridge the gap between traditional mechanical studies and engaging practice and concert material. Although relatively short in duration, a few of these etudes could be combined in a medley to form an effective suite or set. In addition, fourteen of the twenty etudes are provided with chord accompaniment for harmonic analysis, improvisation, or performance with a teacher or second guitarist. The companion online audio for this book has been masterfully recorded by the author using a flamenco guitar to authentically render the typical picado, double-arpeggio, arpeggio-legato, and horquilla techniques as well as the quintuplet flamenco tremolo. Traditional classical elements like octave, interval and arpeggio studies are also thoroughly explored, with one piece in dropped-D tuning—all with a flamenco flavor. In addition to accomplishing its mission of offering a fresh regimen of appealing practice etudes, the truly unique feature of this book is that everything from basic technique to exotic harmony and modal scales has been aflamencado or “flamenco-ized”. Towards that end, a comprehensive glossary of mostly flamenco terminology is provided along with standard notation and tablature for each piece. As a bonus for those new to the flamenco genre, or for the serious aficionado or audiophile, a generous “Recommended Listening” list is included. Practice-related quotations from prominent guitarists in various styles complete this exceptional collection. Includes access to online audio.

The Romance Anonimo ("Anonymous Romance") is one of the most popular pieces in the classical guitar repertoire. Also known as Spanish Romance, Romance de Amor, Jeux interdits and Estudio de Rubira, this 19th century work has continually delighted lovers of the instrument around the world and has become a standard part of guitar pedagogy. In this Mel Bay publication guitarist/composer Rico Stover offers his original composition Romance Variations in a 25 page score of the work with accompanying audio. Different "flavors" of guitar styles are heard in these variations which are inspired by guitarists/composers whom Rico admires: Mateo Carcassi, Joe Pass, Heitor Villalobos, Luiz Bonfa, Chet Atkins and Atahualpa Yupanqui. After a short introduction, the Romance theme is heard, after which the variations commence. Each variation follows the minor/major pattern: Variation 1: Arpegiado - classical arpeggios Variation 2: Bordoneo - bass line textures Variation 3: Villalobosiana - in the style of the master Variation 4: Bossa nova - Brazilian syncopations Variation 5: Chet's Pick - country style fingerpicking Variation 6: Aire de Danza - Latin American dance rhythms The essay "Romance Anonimo: Who Composed It?" explores the different theories regarding the question of authorship, including an analysis of seven different editions of the Romance that date from 1900 to 1958.

Produced in association with the Smithsonian and including images from The National Music Museum in South Dakota, Music: The Definitive Visual History guides readers through the progression of music since its prehistoric beginnings, discussing not just Western classical music, but music from all around the world. Telling the story of musical developments, era by era, linking musical theory, technology, and human genius into the narrative, Music: The Definitive Visual History profiles the lives of groundbreaking musicians from Mozart to Elvis, takes an in-depth look at the history and function of various instruments, and includes listening suggestions for each music style. Anyone with an interest in music will enjoy learning about the epic journey the art has taken over the years and will learn to appreciate music with a new ear.