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.The RomanceAnonimo ('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 centurywork has continually delighted lovers of the instrument around the world and has become a standard part of guitar pedagogy.Different 'flavors' of guitar styles are heard in these variations which are inspired byguitarists/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 themaster. Variation 4: Bossanova - 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.

Media Comments:(...)A publication that is relevant and enjoyable to use on your own as it is in a tutorial setting is a rare thing indeed but wonderfully achieved here by Richard Graf in his book of duos Guitar for Two. Entertaining titles of original works include Mission Possible (an entertaining spoof version of Mission Impossible) and Reggae for Carmen (an amusing mix of Stevie Wonder’s Masterblaster and the Habañera from Carmen) as well as other more traditional arrangement of tunes such as Danny Boy and House of the Rising Sun. The relatively simple top line combined with the more detailed accompaniment offers a range of challenges which will make this book of usethroughout the easy to intermediate stages of learning the guitar. A CD included allowing accompanied performance of the pieces at home. Although the CD is performed on steel-strung guitars this book is nevertheless also perfectly relevant for classical guitarists. Graf has pitched his writing to provide challenging yet idiosyncratic pieces within a framework of highly entertaining styles.(...)(Music Teacher 6/03)Contents: Graf Richard: RichBlues · Bonfa Luiz: Manha de Carneval (Black Orpheus) · Graf Richard: Rain in Spain · Scarborough Fair · Graf Richard: Mission Possible · Russian Tango (Dark Eyes) · Graf Richard: Whatz up · Reggae for Carmen (Habanera) · Graf Richard: Sad Tango · Graf Richard: Flip Flap · House of the Rising Sun · Graf Richard: Bolero · Danny Boy · Oh Happy Day · Graf Richard: Zeit vergeht