The guitarist and the non-guitarist composer: an analysis of contrasting collaborative models and their impact on new works for solo classical guitar

Abstract

Composer-performer collaboration in the creation of new works for solo classical guitar is shaped by several distinctive challenges, specifically related to notation and technical guitar idioms that often do not make up a part of a composer’s training or experience. In practice, these challenges have typically been overcome through the collaboration of guitarists and non-guitarist composers—leading to the creation of some of the instrument’s most beloved repertoire. While the benefits of compositional collaboration between performers and composers generally are widely documented, questions have been raised regarding the potential for guitarists to inhibit the creative process of non-guitarist composers in collaborative situations involving new works for solo classical guitar.This exegesis explores the issue via two intrinsic case studies, documenting the potential advantages and disadvantages of contrasting collaborative models with a focus on two key components: the composer’s understanding of how to write for the guitar, and the performer’s influence on the composition. Each case study explores the collaboration between a non-guitarist composer and myself as the performer from the earliest stages of a new composition through to its premiere. Aligning with a practice-led research paradigm, my role as both researcher and participant in the project shapes the narrative of the analysis.Alongside looking at the effect of the collaborative models, other variables that influenced the compositions are discussed, notably the influence of the composer’s approach to writing for the guitar, and the influence of their inherent compositional processes. This project aims to provide new insights into composer-performer collaborations in the guitar repertoire as well as suggest potential strategies for future collaborations that are relevant to both non-guitarist composers and performers.