RECENT COMMISSIONS
I'm currently at work on a concerto for flute and guitar for the outstanding Cavatina Duo (guitarist Denis Azabagic and flautist Eugenia Moliner). The piece is in the traditional three movement concerto structure, and draws its inspiration from the music of the two performers' homelands (Spain and the former Yugoslavia). I'm greatly looking forward to the premiere at the Guitar Art festival in Serbia in February 2010!
The duo also continues to play the two pieces they commissioned as part of their "Music from the Balkans" project. These have now been performed in the USA, China and Spain, and will be recorded by them for release on Cedille Records in Summer 2009.
I've also been commissioned by the British BMG Federation to write a new piece to be premiered in 2009 at their annual meeting/workshop.
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RECENT REVIEWS
In his Leicester Mercury newspaper review of the premiere of my Rhapsody on a Spanish Theme, Neil Crutchley wrote "Alan Thomas was the excellent soloist in the premiere of his own Rhapsody on a Spanish Theme for Guitar and Orchestra - a three-movement work of lush harmonies and memorable melodies written in a rich, romantic style that pays homage to Rachmaninov. It was very appealing and enjoyable, with the composer making ingenious use of the work's opening theme."
My latest CD, a 2 disc set of Lennon/McCartney arrangements titled The Long and Winding Road continues to garner critical praise. Classical Guitar magazine's Chris Dumigan wrote "This is all beautifully done, lots of fun and all wonderfully played and should be owned by anyone interested in fine guitar playing and/or the music of the Beatles." More info...
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NEW RECORDINGS
Alan's performance of Donald Bousted's "Solo for Elisabeth" features on a newly released double CD/DVD of Bousted's work titled The End of the Beginning.
Also soon out are new CDs by the Midlands Fretted Orchestra (including Alan's Snapshot), and the Cavatina Duo's recording of pieces from Alan's Balkan Songbook.
U P C O M I N G P E R F O R M A N C E S
2010 Saturday, 6th March 5:00 Alan's Snapshot performed by invited guitar ensembles. British BMG Federation Meeting/Workshop Birmingham, UK Saturday, 6th March 7:30 Alan plays electric guitar in a performance of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus Ealing, UK Saturday, 13th March Alan plays electric guitar in a performance of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus The Sands Centre Carlisle, UK 17th March The Cavatina Duo plays pieces from Alan's Balkan Songbook. Topeka, KS, USA 19th March The Cavatina Duo plays pieces from Alan's Balkan Songbook. Minot, ND, USA 21st March The Cavatina Duo plays pieces from Alan's Balkan Songbook. Waterford, VA, USA Saturday, 27th March Alan plays electric guitar in a performance of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus Herts, UK April The Cavatina Duo plays pieces from Alan's Balkan Songbook. Spanish tour Thursday, 29th April Alan on electric guitar with the Graham Fitkin Group. Oxford Contemporary Music Festival Oxford, UK Thursday, 10th June Alan plays with Apartment House Dusseldorf, Germany Saturday, 12th June Alan plays electric guitar in a performance of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus Lichfield Cathedral Lichfield, UK Saturday, 26th June Alan plays electric guitar in a performance of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus Barnet, UK Saturday, 10th July Alan plays electric guitar in a performance of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus Derby Cathedral Derby, UK Saturday, 23rd October Alan plays with Apartment House in a programme including the premiere of a new work by Christopher Fox. Transit Festival Leuven, Belgium 29th October Alan on electric guitar with the Graham Fitkin Group. Falmouth, UK Tuesday, 23rd November Alan plays with Apartment House Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival UK