Guitar Recordings of Agustín Barrios Mangoré

The recordings by the guitarist and composer Agustín Barrios Mangoré are invaluable sources for understanding his music. They provide important information about how Barrios performed his own music as well as music by other composers. They also serve as a representative example of the performance style of the early 20th century. The main goal of this study is to examine the performance style of Barrios. Several aspects of his performance are discussed such as his use of rhythm, tempo, articulation, portamento, vibrato, and dynamics. Additionally, characteristics relating to the general performance style of the early 20th century are discussed. A brief summary is included of the performance style of guitarists that were contemporaries of Barrios such as Miguel Llobet, Andrés Segovia, and Heitor Villa-Lobos. This study focuses on the recordings of three of Barrios' compositions, "La Catedral," "Vals Op. 8, No. 3," and "Un Sueño en la Floresta." Barrios' performance is examined as well as the structure and background of these works. Finally, Barrios' performance is compared with recordings by modern guitarists.