Torsten Ratzkowski
Bergmann Edition: 9 pages
This German- born composer/performer has obviously produced considerably more than three Etudes, as the third one here is titled 7, but that is far as I can find out!
These three here are interesting, always keep you involved, and are definitely good for the various techniques that they are concerned with. No1 is entitled Langweile – Etude (Study of Boredom) and has two contrasting sections , the first of which is very fast, and which jumps around the guitar , mostly in solo notes, in a most harmonically unexpected way, modern yet not unapproachably so, if you understand me. Then the Andante section enters which has a melody of mainly longer notes, underpinned by a number of short lasting unexpected harmonies that in spite of them not fitting harmonically speaking next to one other, just carry on regardless, before a brief pause, leads us back to a varied version of the opening Rapido Leggiero section and a most unexpected final E Major chord.
Etude II is a Cantabile set in D Major, with a melody topping some accompanying pairs of harmony notes, on top of bass notes. Again the juxtaposition of unusual chords and notes following one another does make the player wonder where the piece is harmonically speaking, but it remains interesting throughout. In typically unexpected fashion, the piece suddenly closes on a pair of Es.
The final piece Etude 7, is a kind of unusual tremolo where the 6/8 rhythm consists of 6 groups of semi – quaver triplets per bar, rising and falling , each triplet consisting of 2 or 3 notes of the same pitch, whilst the left hand retains a chord shape for the majority of the time. This definitely is the hardest technically to bring off successfully and is a great Etude for anyone whose tremolo technique could be better t6han it is
This is an interesting trio of pieces, that does hold the attention, does have quite an unusual and individual feel to it, and one which players might get quite a lot from, should they look this book up.
Chris Dumigan