L'Estro Armonico, Concerto no 8, RV 522

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Opening in A minor, this is a double concerto, with lines one and two split into solo and tutti parts, meaning that a substantial ensemble is needed if the solo/tutti distinction is to be obvious. The first movement could have been written for guitar - it fits beautifully under the fingers, even when the lower parts split into two contrapuntal lines each. But the low pitch of the guitar means that the harmonies extend down as low as bottom E and the G# on the bottom string sounded together, which is far too woolly for my liking; I'd prefer some 'arranger's licence' in producing a cleaner sound by moving one of the lines. The slow movement in D minor sees parts three and four absolutely identical except for four notes which are an octave apart instead of unison - it seems such a waste when perhaps one of the parts could have been simplified and taken up the neck to offer a different timbre. The Allegro in A minor again fits nicely onto the guitar and the double-stopping which is shared between lines one and two sounds very fluid, and this movement is perhaps the most guitarristic of all. Technically intermediate. (Derek Hasted, Classical Guitar Magazine, August 2003)