Description

Jonathan Cole: Suntrap - For Guitar

Product Information

ISMN: 9790570026104 / 979-0570026104
Product Type: Score
Setting: Guitar
Language: English
Length: 12 pages
Published: 2002
Publisher: Ricordi
Item Number: RICL00001000
Other Reference: RICL 10

Overview

"Suntrap" is a captivating and richly textured work for solo guitar by British composer Jonathan Cole, published in 2002. Known for his exploratory and nuanced musical language, Cole brings his distinctive compositional voice to the guitar in a way that is both expressive and inventive, offering guitarists a deeply rewarding contemporary work. Spanning 12 pages, Suntrap explores a broad spectrum of the guitar’s timbral and dynamic possibilities. The piece is characterized by subtle interplay between melody and harmony, as well as an intricate weaving of rhythmic motifs and tonal color. Cole carefully balances moments of stillness and resonance with passages of intense activity and gestural energy, inviting the performer to engage fully with the instrument’s expressive palette.

The title, Suntrap, evokes a space filled with filtered light and warmth, and this imagery resonates throughout the piece in its delicate textures and shimmering sonorities. Rather than relying on overt virtuosity, the work challenges the performer to achieve clarity of articulation, sensitivity to touch, and control of dynamics, all within a structure that unfolds with meditative pacing and quiet intensity. Cole’s approach draws upon contemporary idioms while remaining deeply connected to the guitar’s rich acoustic traditions. Subtle dissonances, open strings, and natural harmonics are used not only for color but as structural elements that guide the listener through the piece’s organic development. Suitable for advanced students and professional performers, Suntrap is a compelling addition to the modern guitar repertoire. It is ideal for concert programming that emphasizes new music, British composers, or meditative and texturally rich solo works. Its compact form and resonant language make it a powerful musical statement—inviting listeners into a world that is at once intimate and expansive.

Product Features

Format: Score
Instrumentation: Solo Guitar
Page Count: 12 pages
Genre: Contemporary guitar music with intricate melodies

Interesting Facts

Composer Recognition: Jonathan Cole is recognized as one of the most exciting composers of his generation, having received accolades such as the Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize in 1999 .
Musical Style: "Suntrap" features a blend of lyrical and rhythmic elements, allowing for expressive performance and showcasing the guitar's versatility.
Performance Opportunities: This piece is suitable for recitals, competitions, and personal study, providing an opportunity for guitarists to demonstrate their technical and interpretative skills.