In Horizon, guitarist Álvaro Toscano, winner of the 2025 Francisco Tárrega International Guitar Competition, explores a century of Romantic expression through works by Sor, Jiménez Manjón, Tárrega, Ponce and Chopin. Spanning 1828 to 1929, the programme reveals the guitar’s capacity for lyricism, virtuosity and intimate storytelling. Sor’s brilliant Fantaisie, Op. 30, opens the recording with dramatic contrasts and imaginative variations. Jiménez Manjón’s Cuento de Amor and Aire Vasco combine expressive melodies with rich harmonic colours, while four mazurkas by Tárrega offer miniature portraits of poetic elegance. Ponce’s Sonata Romántica forms an expansive tribute to Schubert, connecting the guitar’s voice with the Viennese composer’s musical imagination. Chopin’s brief Prelude, Op. 28 No. 7, provides a delicate closing reflection. Released by Contrastes Records, this album celebrates the Romantic guitar’s enduring appeal through a programme balancing celebrated masterpieces and discoveries from its repertoire.​

John Griffiths