A cheerful concert

The guitar is the only instrument used in classical music that, in the collective imagination, is primarily associated with other musical genres. Its popular side, its fixed presence in pop and rock bands, the ease with which chords can be played on a guitar to accompany a group of friends singing on the beach, all contribute to its image and soul being much more layered even in a concert hall compared to a violin, a clarinet or a piano. When someone says "guitar," those of us who regularly attend concert halls think of Giuliani, Rodrigo, Villa Lobos; the rest of the world thinks of the Beatles, Santana and Eric Clapton.

That's why composing my Concerto allegro was a wonderful challenge for me: I wanted to try to add my score to those that History has handed down to us. I have in mind unattainable masterpieces like the “Concierto de Aranjuez” or “Fantasía para un gentilhombre” by Rodrigo or the delightful “Concerto No. 1” by Castelnuovo Tedesco – and so, as I always do, I tried to invent a new way to continue the tradition from which we come. However, I also tried to pursue the energy, the power that the guitar conveys when used in jazz, pop, rock, blues; capturing its spirit.

I did it with joy, enthusiasm, and cheerfulness. So, in the end, when I reread the score from the first to the last measure, I said to myself, "It truly is a lively concerto!" And I titled it accordingly, using this fantastic Italian word, “allegro”, that for the musicians has to do with speed but for the others it means “cheerful”, “happy”, “joyful”.

(Nicola Campogrande, June 2023)