International Waters

The album traces a musical journey across continents, highlighting the shared emotional language that connects seemingly distant cultures.

Alonso Torres Matarrita’s Recordando un Bolero opens the recording with a nostalgic reflection inspired by Costa Rican bolero traditions. Originally conceived as the second movement of Concierto de los Litorales, the work combines lyrical melodies with contemporary harmonic language, transforming childhood memories into a deeply expressive chamber work.

Brazilian composer Radamés Gnattali is represented by his celebrated Sonatina No. 2, one of the most important works for guitar and piano. The three movements move effortlessly between classical form and the rhythmic vitality of Brazilian choro, allowing both instruments to perform as equal musical partners.

The center of the album features the world-premiere recording of Seven Haikus by Costa Rican composer Marvin Camacho, written specifically for Hashi Duo. Inspired by Japanese poetry and enriched by indigenous Costa Rican musical influences, the seven miniature movements create a fascinating dialogue between two cultures while expanding the expressive possibilities of the guitar and piano duo.

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Fantasia, Op. 145, dedicated to Andrés Segovia and Paquita Madriguera, remains one of the cornerstones of the repertoire. Its rich harmonic language, lyrical writing, and virtuosic interplay demonstrate the remarkable expressive range of the ensemble.

The album concludes with Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s iconic film theme in Hirokazu Sato’s arrangement. The warmth of the guitar and the expressive freedom of the piano preserve the intimate spirit of one of the most beloved melodies in contemporary music.