Propulsive force of attraction

In French, "Aimant" stands for a loving person, but also for a magnet, so in any case for a form of attraction. And Aimant is also the title of a piece by Rheintal guitarist, composer and choirmaster Sami Kajtazaj, who, in addition to educational guitar literature, also writes more extensive compositions for various instrumentations. The clear formal structures and propulsive rhythmic power of this three-part work for solo guitar are particularly appealing. As in many a classical sonata, a striking opening movement, a contrasting middle section and a spirited final movement combine to form a well-rounded whole lasting a good twelve minutes.

The first movement is expressive, with numerous sharply progressing second intervals. The short exposition over a good twenty bars is varied and developed, a playful, pulsating coda leads into a repetitive small bass figure. The calm pulse in the second movement is completely different. The almost continuous thirty-second-note figures are reminiscent of the quiet, extremely busy propelling of the delicate wings of all kinds of insects. A colorful swarm moves in a large arc from the ground upwards and back again. Only occasionally does a bumblebee buzz loudly and close to your ear. - There are no time signatures in the exalted final movement: the irregularly placed bar lines are mainly for orientation. The harmony does not adhere to any pattern either, and yet there are repeated references to a strong keynote. A small, powerful rasgueado on the lowest strings sets the final point.

Sami Kajtazaj: Aimant, for guitar solo, em 1172, ca. € 13.90, Edition Margaux, Berlin