(Unedited)
IN TIME  Aros Gtr Duo  OUR RECORDINGS 8.226919 (58:12)

ASGER AGERSKOV BUUR I forået. MARTIN LOHSE Ver. PETER BRUUN Dark is November. RASMUS ZWICKI In Time. JOHN FRANDSON Rollercoaster. WAYNE SIEGEL Vernalis’ Breakdown

The Aros Guitar Duo originated in the Danish city of Aarhus. As the Duo’s members Mikkel Egelund and Simon Wildau explain in their liner notes: “Aros is the old norse name for Aarhus.” In 2018, Aros Guitar Duo premiered a work by Asger Buur, I forået (In the Spring). At the Duo’s request, Buur included Morten Børup’s early 16th century ode, In vernalis temporis (In the Springtime) in his own piece. Again, according to Egelund and Wildau: “From the iconic bell tower of the city hall of Aarhus, (Børup’s ode) is played when the clock strikes the hour. The melody has a familiar intimacy, and for us, it has become the sound of Aarhus.” I’ll add that the In vernalis temporis melody, with its sequences of three-note groupings, is most congenial for the guitar. Egelund and Wildau went on to commission several other composers to write works for the Aros Guitar Duo, all featuring the Børup ode. There are six pieces in total. Aros Guitar Duo has performed them frequently in concert, and now, for this Our Recordings issue. Aros Guitar Duo views the collection as “one work in 6 movements.” In the various pieces, the In vernalis temporis melody appears at times in complete form, at other times fragmented, or even disguised. The composers embrace a range of musical voices and styles. In addition to classical expression, elements of rock, blues, bluegrass, and country (all genres that celebrate the guitar) make their presence known. The music also ranges from the introspective to virtuoso display, the latter most notable in the final two works; John Frandsen’s Rollercoaster and Wayne Siegel’s Vernalis’ Breakdown. All of the pieces celebrate the guitar’s capacity for beauty of expression. And the Aros Guitar Duo performs them with pristine technique, breathtaking unanimity of execution, ravishing tone, and the utmost conviction. Egelund and Wildau “are convinced that the works will eventually become part of the broad repertoire for guitar duo.” Aros Guitar Duo certainly makes the strongest case for that proposition via their sterling performances, captured in wonderful sound. Recommended. Ken Meltzer

Five stars: Aros Guitar Duo’s superb recital, In Time