Mark Houghton

Elegy

Elegy' is a homage to the influential 20thC English composer John W. Duarte (1919-2004). Elegy does not reflect the compositional style of Duarte, but rather is an acknowledgement of his editorial publication for Chester Music (1984) of 'Homenaje pour le Tombeau de Claude Debussy', composed by Manual de Falla (1920). Consequently, 'Elegy' adopts the compositional style of the Habanera. I first met John W. Duarte in 1990, at the Wirral International Guitar Festival and it was on this occasion that he shared with me advice about composing for guitar. Subsequently, thereafter I met him several times at the same event and was always struck by his enthusiasm to generously share his knowledge about music. In 2020 I was honoured to be asked, by JWD's son, Chris Duarte, to edit some previously unpublished works written by his father - works that are now also published by Les Productions d'OZ. Elegy has been recorded by the Argentinian guitarist Daniela Rossi on Brilliant Classics 97470 - John W. Duarte Guitar Music Vol.5, Homages.