Angelo Gilardino (b. 1941) is an Italian guitarist, composer, musicologist, and editor noted for expanding contemporary classical guitar repertoire. His "Studies" (Studi) are pedagogical pieces combining technical development with musical expression; they are widely used by advanced students and professionals.
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Inspired by the Tenebrae services of the Easter Triduum, this work is a masterclass in sonority. It utilizes scordatura (alternate tuning) to lower the bass strings, creating a darker, resonant timbre. The piece explores the guitar’s capacity for tragedy, moving away from the sunny disposition often associated with the instrument.
Studio No. 1 (60 Studi): A brilliant introduction to his harmonic world, focusing on fluidity and shifting textures.
This phase is defined by his major sonatas, particularly Sonata del Guadalquivir and Lećon de Ténèbres. In these works, Gilardino embraces modernism. The music becomes denser, more dissonant, and structurally complex. He utilizes the guitar not as a melodic instrument alone, but as a percussion orchestra. The Sonata del Guadalquivir (inspired by Spanish poet Rafael Alberti) showcases his ability to build vast soundscapes, utilizing rapid rasgueado techniques and complex polychords.
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