Mark Anthony Cruz

Rhapsody Waltz

Rhapsody Waltz was conceived in 2024 as a musical conversation for Texas-based artists, Ibison Guitar Duo. It consists of a medium-paced introduction where exchanges of melody are used from the beginning and continue into the main theme marked Allegro Assai. At letter B, strumming textures in octaves are used to create further musical interest. At letter C, the main theme is developed by altering the range, harmony and direction of the lines. This development leads into new information consisting of chords with quarter note values reminiscent of Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# minor for piano and his smooth use of modulation. At letter E, a fluttering pedal tone supports thematic transformations climbing in thirds and then fragments of the theme climbing in seconds until they reach their destination at letter F. One measure after F, both guitars play a diminution of the theme in triplets then back to quarters which lead into a return of the introduction, theme and a strong coda for a satisfying conclusion.