Although Smith Brindle composed a variety of works including an opera, he is best known for his guitar music. The poetic and lyrical Etruscan Preludes express the mystery of an ancient and lost civilisation, while the enigmatic El Polifemo de oro expresses poet and playwright Federico García Lorca’s attribution of occult powers to the guitar. From the beautifully expressive Nocturne to the extreme effects of Percussion Piece (from Guitarcosmos, Vol.3), the sheer virtuosity of invention in Smith Brindle’s guitar music led Julian Bream to commend his diversity of style and clarity of intention.

This release represents a Naxos debut both for composer Reginald Smith Brindle and guitarist Duilio Meucci. Smith Brindle is little known today beyond classical guitar circles, though he had a distinguished career in music and his guitar pieces were successfully championed by the likes of Julian Bream in his lifetime. This first volume promises a highly rewarding voyage of discovery for us all.

Duilio Meucci is a rising star in the guitar world, having recorded chamber music with guitar by Castelnuovo-Tedesco for the Stradivarius label and, with tenor Marcello Nardis, Benjamin Britten’s complete works for guitar and voice for Brilliant Classics. Meucci has also recorded Claude Bolling’s Concerto for Classical Guitar and other works as a member of the Claude Quartet for Brilliant Classics.