Etudes (12) by Adrien Politi Acoustic Guitar - Sheet Music

SKU: LM.29745

ISBN 9790230997454.

A well-known figure among guitarists, Adrien Politi has built up an appealing and varied body of work over the years, with clear language and careful structure. Here he talks to us about his 12 Études, recently published by Éditions Henry Lemoine.

How did the idea for these 12 Études come about?
For me, it was a real challenge. Obviously, everyone thinks of the cycles by Chopin or Villa-Lobos, two monuments of music, which gives the number 12 a very special symbolism when it comes to études! As for the idea and its development, it took quite a long time. In fact, these are relatively old pieces that I had plenty of opportunity to test in the field, with success, when I was teaching at the Conservatoire de Châtillon.

What were your objectives in this cycle of études?
Each étude can be played as a concert piece, and at the same time, I address the main technical points of classical guitar: arpeggios, chords, slurs, accompanied melody... I am guided above all by the music, and it is not a question of multiplying the difficulties in order to achieve a purely technical feat. In fact, this cycle can be approached with benefit by students from cycle 2 onwards. I have ensured that there is a high degree of consistency in the difficulty of each piece. This means that students do not find themselves facing insurmountable obstacles after just a few bars.

How would you describe your language?
I'm originally from Argentina, and I think my music reflects my origins to a greater or lesser extent. My world is tonal or modal, and rhythm always plays a major role. It should be noted that although I trained as a guitarist, my approach to writing has been much more empirical. When I arrived in Paris, I met a singer at the Cité Universitaire. She asked me to write some arrangements and I got caught up in it. By writing increasingly complex arrangements, I naturally progressed to composition. I compose for the guitar, but also for other ensembles: string orchestra, choir, piano...

Portrait by Marc Rouvé
Guitare Classique n°109 (dec. 2025)