For his first solo CD release, Christopher Dorsey has selected a collection of works by Argentinean composer Marcelo Coronel. Coronel is a self-described "popular musician with formal musical training", who's compositions take a strong influence from South American culture and traditions. The result is music that is oftentimes lively and refreshing, sometimes solemn and reflective, and always suggesting a deeper message. While superficially the compositions are tastefully peppered with Spanish-South American flavour, beneath the surface are complex dimensions that engage the listener in thought and move them to emotion. On the guitar, Christopher Dorsey's precise interpretations, flawless execution, and lush tone are no doubt the culmination of his years of study and experience. Not only is he a proven performer, thanks in part to his excellent work as a member of the Sante Fe Guitar Quartet, he is also an erudite scholar, completing his Doctor of Musical Arts (Performance) in 2005. While there is a vast and vibrant South American musical culture, only once in a while does a composer manage to transcend in the way that Coronel has with his works. If you find yourself drawn to the music of Barrios, Lauro, or Piazzolla, you will surely enjoy this disc.

- Timothy Smith
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