By Daniel Buckley
Citizen Music Critic

Michael Lucarelli is charged up. The 37-year-old guitarist, who earned his master’s degree in classical guitar performance from the University of Arizona in 1992, is returning to his old stomping grounds. And the day after his Tucson recital, Lucarelli will head back into the studio to record his third CD- the first dedicated entirely to his works.

"My music seems to be going over really well in concert," he said, speaking by phone from his Salt Lake City touring base. " I’ve just been finding my voice with the instrument." He’s been seeing increased orders for his scores, as well.

A taste of Lucarelli’ s compositional talents can be sampled on his 1996 CD "Collage" (LMS 1002), recorded with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Utah Arts Council. Lucarelli’s "Green Light" recalls Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti in its muscular animation and oblique, unpredictable melodic and harmonic paths. Reminiscent as well of Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas’ powerful work, this driving, perpetual-motion piece could be a dance for the Day of the Dead.

" Collage" is aptly named, displaying as it does the many facets of Lucarelli’ s artistry as he tackles works by Fernando Sor, J.S. Bach, Leo Brouwer, George Gershwin, Luis de Narvaez and New Age vocalist Enya, plus a traditional Japanese work. It is impressive throughout.

From the Mozartean classical grace of his Sor Sonata op 15, no. 2 to the flowing, full contrapuntal interplay of bass and treble lines in J.S. Bach’s Prelude from BWV 997, one is struck with Lucarelli’ s secure technical prowess and idiomatic stylistic depth.

Lucarelli’ s finest moment comes in Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz’s "Mallorca." Swaggering, smoldering and grippingly sensual, his playing revels in the score’s rich panoramic colors while moving like smoke around a Gypsy campfire dancer’s cape.

In his playing, tone and attack, color and heart are precisely weighted, balanced and applied. He brings skill, taste and passion to a carefully selected, flowing recital disk that invites repeated listening.

Lucarelli’ s upcoming recital will include a broad range of works, including the world premiere of his "Beginning of the Dawn."