Eucalypta

Description

Based on a story of a witch by Dutch writer Jan Dulieu. Eucalypta begins with a misterioso harmonics section from both players that leads into a set of grinding chords against a scurrying semi tonally-based idea. After a brief return to harmonics momentarily, a ritmico intervenes marked agitato. The chords used are deliberately angular and violent and there is a good deal of interplay between the players here. A few bars of slower material based on the opening harmonics theme before semiquaver runs bring back the agitato material which in turn melds into a new section where a low booming semiquaver line appears under some sharp biting chords. The opening melody then enters at the same time as all this is still going on and one gets the feeling of a battle taking place with lots of action in both parts. A brief reminder of the opening leads to some further angular chords (from the agitato section) and then - a surprise. The last three bars wind down with an instruction for the guitarists to recite a few lines of text whilst closing the piece. I'm not sure how successful that would be in concert. There are no other areas where the recitation is required, just the last three bars, and they appear as if out of the blue, so to speak. I found this very characterful. Obviously the music is meant to portray the strange witch that is Eucalypta and one could certainly glean that from the angularity of much of the music, which is only moderately difficult to play, with a lot of work from both players, you understand. As for the odd ending - don't know. I'd have to see it performed before I could make my mind up on that score." Chris Dumigan (Classical Guitar Magazine)