Rhapsody Japan for Guitar Duo (Version 2)

Rhapsody Japan (for Guitar Duo) was composed in 2008, expressly for a tour and recording Shingo and Bill Kanengiser did together in Japan. Essentially a medley of popular folk songs of Japan, the piece features a variety of moods, keys and atmospheres, evoking an authentic representation of this evocative source material. Beginning with an introduction influenced by Leo Brouwer, it follows with settings of the famous "Sakura", the joyous "Hana", meditative "Touryanse-Kagome", virtuostic "Hamabe-no Uta", the jocular "Zui-Zui" in the style of a tango, and finishes with the touching "Furusato". As in Danse D'Azur, the parts are very democratic, and feature a variety of different effects, including harmonics, pizzicato and glissandos to add color and spark to these settings.