iSound

Although the modern guitar reached its first maturity during the early 19th century, most of the greatest composers of the era had little if any direct contact with the instrument. When the guitar was occasionally used by Schubert or Von Weber for instance, it was usually to accompany lieder or for a modest role in chamber music. By the late 19th century, the romantic style tended toward a grander expression that made the intimate voice of the guitar an increasing rarity. It is therefore a special pleasure to find solo piano pieces by the great composers of the German Romantic era that are well suited to the particular poetry of the guitar.

The guitar was a popular house instrument in Vienna during the first third of the nineteenth century and was certainly part of Schubert’s musical milieu. In fact, the voicing of his harmony is often surprisingly guitaristic which has allowed many of his smaller dances to be arranged for the instrument. The two Allegrettos in this colle...