Three Short Pieces

These three musical works each explore different aspects of guitar technique and expression. Arioso Cantabile is a study in free, lyrical playing, encouraging the performer to create the illusion of spontaneous composition. Despite its sparse textures, the piece calls for rich tonal colors and legato phrasing to enhance its beauty. Lullaby is a gentle, intimate piece with a flowing melody over a gently rocking accompaniment, where rhythmic flexibility and a quiet, delicate ending evoke a sense of peaceful tranquility. Study focuses on arpeggio patterns built on fourths rather than triads, offering a brief but dramatic exercise in guitar technique that invites performers to explore dynamic contrasts.

David Gordon Duke (b. 1950) was born in Vancouver and has degrees in musicology from the University of British Columbia, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Victoria. He studied composition privately with Jean Coulthard, and, at the Banff Centre, Violet Archer. He is a past Head of the School of Music at Vancouver Community College and Dean of the Faculty of Language, Literature, and Performing Arts at Douglas College.

He has written extensively about Canadian music and composers and has contributed essays and music criticism to The Vancouver Sun, Early Music America, and Classical Voice North America. With William Bruneau he is a co-author of Jean Coulthard: a life in music, published by Ronsdale Press.

Perhaps best known for his educational music, his work has been published by Waterloo Music, Frederick Harris Music, and the Canadian National Conservatory of Music. He has also composed concert music for solo instruments, voices, chamber ensembles, and orchestra.

He is an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre.