Benga Beat

Gary Ryan always manages to write enter­taining music, and this latest pairing is every bit as good as the others I have seen. The composer’s intention with Benga Beat was to write a lively piece with an Afri­can flavor, and here he has been remark­ably successful. It begins at a frenetic pace and doesn’t let up for seven minutes, and is therefore quite a handful. But what really takes it into another category altogether is the manner in which Ryan introduces various percussive techniques into the piece-the opening features extensive pas­sages with syncopated 16th notes, often played pizzicato, with numerous percus­sive bits interwoven throughout. Don’t get me wrong, this piece is wonderful and very clever and effective, but only the best play­ers will be able to cope with its require­ments. There is an excellent performance of Ryan performing it on YouTube, so if you have any doubts about what l’m saying, check it out!
-Chris Dumigan (Classical Guitar Magazine)