Étude in honour of Saint Joseph – for classical guitar
Composer: Henrique Coe
Concert: May 30, 2018 (Coe’s doctoral recital in composition)
[Reverb added]
Faculty of Music of the University of Toronto (Walter Hall)
Performer:
James Renwick, guitar
Program note:
For classical guitar solo, Étude in honor of Saint Joseph has a duration of approximately 5’15’’. The form of the piece, Intro + ABA’CA’’B’ + Coda, resembles a mixture of sonata form and theme and variations. The Introduction features an interplay of harmonics and sketches of the theme played with the medieval sonority of parallel fifths. In section A, the theme is stated in a sorrowful character. The arpeggios in section B presents a great contrast to the previous section, although they keep and develop the opening motive of the theme. In section A’, the theme is presented with a continuum-like accompaniment, and some fifths that recall the Introduction. Section C is characterized by a homophonic texture with some appoggiaturas that further remind us of the theme. In A’’, the theme comes back in a major mode, followed by a homophonic bridge leading to section B’, which consists of the beginning of section B. A Coda in a major mode based on the opening motive of the theme concludes the piece in a joyful character. The world premiere of Étude, performed by guitarist James Renwick, took place in Coe’s doctoral recital in composition on May 30, 2018 in Walter Hall at the Faculty of Music of the University of Toronto.