Born in Torino in 1967, Alfredo Franco wasinvolved in non-classical music in his youthbefore taking up the classical guitar. He thenundertook advanced studies in the...

Born in Torino in 1967, Alfredo Franco was
involved in non-classical music in his youth
before taking up the classical guitar. He then
undertook advanced studies in the historical
and critical fields in the Department for Art,
Music and Theatre of the University of Turin.
He would later abandon concert activity as a
performer and focus instead on composition.
His now prolific classical guitar output has been
well received by important interpreters such as
Cristiano Porqueddu and increasingly
programmed on the stage and in the studio.
This triple-disc set constitutes a broad crosssection of Franco’s solo guitar music.
Porqueddu has offered brief comments on
some of the many, varied compositions that
will be new to many listeners. A Bleached
September Sky: multiple short episodes
evoking sudden premonitions. A Night’s Tale
features a rapid, edgy central section set
between a dreamlike beginning and end.
Alphabetical Portraits conceptually
depicts seven composers by associating
the letters in their surnames with notes
of the chromatic scale. Inezie deliziose is
a collection of miniature album leaves
heralding the frivolity of an imaginary
past. Fantasia No.7 contrapuntally pays
homage to Renaissance vihuelists. Il
flauto nel bosco – Omaggio a Grazia
Deledda: a sonatina based on the Nobel
Prize-winning Sardinian author’s
renowned collection of short stories. La
regina delle tenebre – Su un racconto di
Grazia Deledda is inspired by an
eponymous short story, again by the
Sardinian author. La guitarra callada –
Homage to Frederic Mompou seeks to
convey the Catalan composer’s
atmospheres. Quaderno di aprile is a
minimalist diary, composed almost
compulsively along a few days in April.
Mirando un cuadro de Goya is one
possible interpretation of the painter’s
Pavo muerto. Microsuite is designed to
provide an introduction to contemporary
musical languages. Petite Suite mécanique
honours three guitarists from different eras:
Robert de Visée, Miguel Llobet and Leo
Brouwer. Sette aforismi: short, sparse studies
on timbre and colour. Sonatina autunnale sits
somewhere between Manuel Ponce and
Alfredo Casella. Sonatina estiva pays tribute
to Carlo Carrà and his paintings of seaside
shacks. Tarreghiana: a theme and variations
based on Tárrega’s famous Prelude in A
minor. Wintergarten is a farewell stroll in a
Schumannesque winter garden, evoking
chorales and with variations.
Other Information
● Recorded January to June 2023 in Nuoro,
Italy
● Bilingual booklet in English and Italian
contains a short description written by the
artist for each piece