Album Notes

Roland Chadwick is a Composer, Guitarist and internationally acclaimed recording artist. A trained classical guitarist, he plays "anything with frets". Born in May 1957, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, Roland made his Sydney Opera House debut in 1988 and has since built a reputation as Australia's master Guitarist/Composer. From 1979 to 1996 he lived and worked in Sydney as a performer and composer and in 1997 took a sabbatical in Los Angeles where he worked on developing a more personal compositional style. At the end of 1997 he moved to the UK and is now based in West London.

"to the music of contemporary greats such as Brouwer, Domeniconi, and Dyens;I will now add Roland Chadwick. Bluntly, his music is nothing short of genius." Minor 7th Review

Classical Guitar Magazine March 2005

ONE - Roland Chadwick Resonator Records RES0102

In this programme of contemporary compositions for solo classical guitar, Roland Chadwick reveals not only his remarkable technical expertise as a player but also demonstrates his outstanding talent as a composer of some insight. Without exception all the works on this CD are of a very high quality. The two 'songs' from the Songs and Dances are both highly lyrical works, quite moving, and provide a stark contrast with the two 'dances' which follow. The Dance from the first one is a simply stunning piece of writing; hugely dramatic and easily the most exciting one on this programme.


The five-movement Dances for Winter Oakwood have a very 'English' quality to them and demonstrate another stylistic side to this composer. The suite begins with Processional (On Millpond Road), which has a beautiful theme sounding for all the world like it could be a traditional folk song. The finale to this set goes full circle with another lovely melodic and calm movement bringing Dusk on Millpond Road. In between there is a gentle dace (Round Renny Oakwood); a delightful carol dedicated to the Solstice; and another rather energetic dance, with a brief melodic interlude midway through.


Partita No. 2 shows the more impressionistic, avant-garde side to Roland Chadwick in this 4-movement work. This is another highly interesting, engaging composition, full of energy and passion.


The recording finishes in lyrical style with one of this composers most beautiful pieces, the delightful Maria.


The recording (by John Taylor) is top quality, as is the playing and the writing. A superb new release all round.


Recommended.


Steve Marsh