These two concertos show the increasing importance of the guitar duo on the world’s concert stages. Leo Brouwer, one of the foremost Latin American composers, has written many admired guitar concertos but The Book of Signs is his first for two guitars, a double concerto of great virtuosity, with a majestic, songful theme in its central movement. A crucial figure in the global promotion of Brazilian rhythms for the guitar, Paulo Bellinati deploys luxurious harmonies and brilliantly effective techniques to pay tribute to the country music of São Paulo State in Concerto Caboclo.

Naxos has a bounty of discs dedicated to Leo Brouwer’s guitar music. One of them features the composer’s music for two guitars, recorded by the Brasil Guitar Duo (8573336), which earned a 10/10 review from ClassicsToday.com: “The Brasil Guitar Duo offers vivacious, sensitive, clear, carefully balanced, and splendidly engineered performances that are technically impeccable and stylistically right on the money. A most enjoyable and stimulating release, and not just for guitar fans.”

The duo has also recorded Castelnuovo-Tedesco for Naxos. Of 8570778 American Record Guide wrote: “This is great playing. This is wonderful music played at the highest interpretive level.” Vol.2 in the series (8570779) was called “Music of refinement and beauty performed with enormous technical sophistication and musical taste” by MusicWeb International.

Coming from a long and rich tradition of guitar composers from Brazil, Paulo Bellinati is a true ambassador for the guitar in his country. His work as a composer, guitarist, and researcher has been crucial to the global promotion of the various Brazilian rhythms for guitar.

David Amado has been music director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra since 2003, and lead the orchestra with musical excellence, connecting with audiences through fine musicianship and energetic performances.