Classical guitarist Sam Desmet performs Concerto pour guitare et petit orchestre, Op. 155 by Jean Absil (1893–1974) with the Casco Phil Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Haemhouts, in Waregem, Belgium. This is a world-premiere performance bringing Jean Absil’s guitar concerto to the stage for the first time. Recorded live in concert. Video via Desmet’s YouTube (go subscribe).
It’s so great to hear this concerto which coincidentally got released while I record Absil’s little works Pièces caractéristiques, Op.123. Absil’s guitar works are very underplayed considering the excellent quality of the works. I’ve been looking at all the available solo and duo works and was delighted to now hear the concerto. As Desmet mentions, “Composed in 1971, yet never performed during Absil’s lifetime or beyond, the concerto—expressive, modernist, and vividly orchestrated—now appears for the first time in its complete form, accompanied by a full-length video release.” Read more info about the concerto here.
Movements:
- 00:00 Allegro energico
- 04:10 Andante cantabile
- 10:58 Allegro moderato
