Guitar Set I is a set of six occasional pieces. Each is relatively brief and straightforward, and for the most part, presenting one idea and its development.

The first is rather jaunty, its main motive being a quick ascent, a hesitant wavering on a plateau, followed by a quick descent. It is developed with an alteration of meter that groups eighth notes in twos and threes.

The second piece, marked moderately, and inward, is relatively quiescent. Mantra-like, it declaims a brief melodic phrase over a constantly changing harmonic landscape.

The third movement, marked presto, is all about speed. Daring quicksilver changes occur in all spheres, registral, dynamic, and textural.

The fourth piece is a long melody repeated a number of times. On each repetition slight embellishments are added, as are additional contrapuntal, or supporting lines.

The fifth movement is the only one that could perhaps be viewed as presenting more than one idea; or maybe they are two halves of one idea. In any event, one is heard as rapid fire single note triplets, followed immediately by a two or three part texture, played in eighth notes. Part of the playfulness of the piece is the seeming opposition of these materials, and their ultimate reconciliation.

The sixth piece is certainly the most difficult and daring. Marked lively, it is a continuous development of a short phrase formed of asymmetrical groups of eighth and sixteenth notes. Each development becomes more elaborate harmonically and registrally. However, all is brought aright at the end, as what has been a constantly shifting universe is brought to a state of hard-won repose.

This work was commissioned by Philip Vance.