1+ minute. Easy.
Arranged from the voice and piano cycle Three Poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Garth Baxter
is noted as a modern traditionalist composer.
This is a style that combines the traditions of form and clear melodic
writing with the use of contemporary approaches to harmonies and other
elements. He has composed works for various performance mediums, ranging
from intimate solo and small group settings to larger ensembles such as
orchestra and concert band. His compositions have been performed around the world.
Guitar Compositions
* Click a song title to view (or hide) a description.
Afternoon on a Hill for voice and guitar (dedicated to Audrey Desjardins and Gabriel Jean)
April Twilight 
For voice, flute and guitar (also written for voice, flute and piano
Published by Doberman-YPPAN
4 minutes
Written for soprano Annie Gill.
The lyrics for this song come from a poem by Willa Cather that she dedicated to two of her brothers in remembrance of the times when they played together as children.
At the Last Ember Light 
For Solo Guitar
Published by Les Productions, d'Oz
4 Minutes 30 Seconds
A quiet song written for my friend Candice Mowbray.
Dos Canciones de la Casa de Bernarda Alba (Una Obra de Federico Garcia Lorca)
De facil a intermedio nivel. Alymar Publications. $10, CD $5.
Ovejita
Publicado by Les Productions, d'OZ
Voz femenina a cappella o con el acompanamiento de la guitarra.
Cancion algo emocional cantada por una mujer vieja un poco desconcertada
Dificultad: moderado facil. La parte de la guitarra mezcla rasqueado y el solo acompanamiento de la nota.
Ya Salen Los Segadores
Coro de hombres y guitarra.
Esta cancion corta refleja el espiritu de los trabajadores en el campo y sus relaciones con las mujeres de la aldea.
Folklorico en naturaleza con el acompanamiento simple de rasguear para la guitarra (despues de una corta introduccion escrita).
Contacta con la compositora para obtener la música.
Edgefield
"Edgefield is a beautiful composition with dancing counterpoint and ever moving inner voices that take us on a journey through multiple tonal centers."
Adorjan Horvát
Staccotofy.com
"Edgefield is a beautiful reflective work."
MaestroSteve
Cinemusical.com
8 minutes, upper intermediate. Les Productions D'OZ. Contact publisher for price. CD $5.
This is a tonal piece in ternary form. The lyrical A section is very loosely based on the hymn tune by the same name. The B section is episodic and dramatic. It is chromatic and restless. The return to the A is very similar to the original one except for a reference to a theme from the B section and a short codetta.
The Gray and Pearl Guitar Duo as well as the Castelliano-Andriacio Duo have praised this piece.
Five Renaissance Pieces for solo guitar
The Four Songs from Twelfth Night
These four songs by Garth Baxter were part of a doctoral thesis by Wei TengFei:
A Study on the Role of Feste from W. Shakespeare's Romantic Comedy Twelfth Night and compositional trends of Art Songs--Focusing on the Shakesperian songs by E. Korngold, I Hoiby, D. Amran and Garth Baxter, 2024 by Wei TengFei, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea.
Words by William Shakespeare.
8 minutes, Difficulty varies. Les Productions D'Oz.
Each of the songs are written in a low key so that they can be easily raised to whatever key is necessary for the vocalist through the use of a capo for the guitarist.
O Mistress Mine
Light hearted love song. Folk-like, up-tempo.
Guitar can capo up to allow the singer to sing in a higher key.
Difficulty: Easy.
Come Away, Come Away Death
Two and a half minutes, Upper beginning for voice, lower intermediate for guitarist.
Tongue in cheek sad song of a pathetic soul in love.
Two verses in strophic form. Introduction, ending and an interlude are all the same music for the guitar.
I Am Gone Sir
1 minute, Upper beginning level.
Humorous song sung by the jester.
Through-composed but ends with same music as it begins with.
When That I Was and a Little Tiny Boy
Fun, folk-like ending to the play. Guitar part can either play chords or a more interesting written accompaniment.
Guitar can capo up to allow the singer to sing in a higher key.
Difficulty: Easy.
From the Heart: Three American Women
A CYCLE OF NINE SONGS IN THREE MINI-VOLUMES BROKEN DOWN BY POETS.
17-20 minutes, Difficulty varies. Published by Columbia Music and distributed by Theodore Presser. Contact publisher for price.
This song cycle was the topic of a doctoral dissertation by Evelyn Fair (Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, 2006).
Volume One
Three From Sara
Words by Sara Teasdale
There Will Come Soft Rains
Two and a half minutes, Intermediate.
This is a song of protest against war.
This is a lyrical poem with a simple folk-like setting.
The Inn of Earth
Two minutes, Upper intermediate for voice, intermediate for guitar.
This is a song of concern for the world - particularly in reference to third world countries.
Jazzy setting that helps portray the coldness of the world.
February Twilight
One and a half minutes, Upper beginning.
This is a simple, romantic lyrical song of escape.
Volume Two
Two Remembrances
Words by Susan Laura Lugo
Gone With the Wind
3 minutes, Intermediate for vocalist, upper beginning for guitar.
This is a reflective song of remembrance of a daughter who died.
Through-composed except that the two parts end with the same refrain.
August
2 minutes, Intermediate.
A bluesy song that quickly transforms the listener to a sweltering afternoon sitting on the porch with no breeze in sight, just trying to keep cool.
Volume Three
Willa
Words by Willa Cather
The Tavern
3 minutes, Intermediate.
This is a highly emotional song depicting a feeling of being without any true friends or lovers.
Song in four stanzas with each stanza set to similar music.
The Hawthorn Tree
2 minutes, Lower intermediate.
A sweet love song.
Modified strophic setting of two verses.
L'envoi
2 and a half minutes, Intermdiate.
A lyrical song of being alone.
There are a number of lines in the poem that begin the same and therefore the music is the same for those lines. The song has a short introduction and a short codetta. Each of these ends the same way.
Spanish Johnny
"Spanish Johnny, its text by Willa Cather and the song itself from Baxter's song cycle From the Heart: Three American Women. Immediately we're exposed to the composer's distinctive handling of harmony and command of melody—consider how beautifully the latter resolves on the words “to his mandolin”—and the song is also memorable for the Spanish-tinged character of the guitar tapestries."
Textura
February 2023Three minutes, Intermediate for voice, lower advanced for guitar.
This song is about a criminal in the old west.
Through-composed, although each stanza ends with the same music for the vocalist that is followed by the same guitar part. There is some traditional Spanish style music to reflect the poetry. The guitar part has some tremolo sections that capture the image of a mandolin (which is referred to in the poem).
This song has been praised as a classic and is always the hit of the recital.
Grandmother, Think Not I Forget
"The best (on the recording ASK THE MOON) is the longest, 'Grandmother,
think not I forget', a sweet love song set to a
text Baxter co-wrote with his wife,"
Laurence Vittes
Gramophone Magazine, May 2018
"The vocal part is gorgeous"
-David Isaacs, Soundboard Magazine, Volume 41 #4, 2016
3 and a half minutes, Intermediate. Les Productions D'OZ. Contact publisher for price. CD $5.
Words by Garth Baxter and Katherine Baxter freely adapted from a poem by Willa Cather.
This song is a touching tribute to the composer's wife's grandmother.
This song evokes tremendous response from audiences. The song speaks to all who have lost a loved one.
A Jagged Path
For four guitars
7 + minutes
Written for the Atlantic Guitar Quartet
A lively piece which utilizes different timbres available on the guitar (but not avant-garde). The thematic material was inspired from several themes from Act I, Scene 3 of the opera Lily.
La Nostalgie
3 and one-half minutes, lower intermediate level. ALRY Publications. (Check with the publisher for the price.) CD $5.
La Nostalgie is a simple tune based on two Jewish folk songs (Tumbalalyka and Dundai). Although the original folk songs are generally played rather fast, the mood portrayed here is one of sadness and nostalgia. To achieve that mood, La Nostalgie should not be played too quickly. This is a light piece that is perfect for student performers, but there is enough depth here to interest professionals as well.
Moszkowski - Three Spanish Dances
Arranged for Flute and Guitar.
9 Minutes, intermediate to upper intermediate. Mel Bay Publications availible in 2006.
Three light, melodic dances from the Opus 12 dances for piano by the German composer (1854-1924).
Dance #2
Dance #4
Dance #5
Rusticola
Four and a half minutes, Moderately difficult. Les Productions D'OZ.
A fun piece in ternary form. The A section is jazzy while the B section is lyrical.
Shenendoah: A Fantasy
10 minutes, intermediate except for 1st guitar which is slightly more difficult Guitar Chamber Music Press.
Dedicated to Glenn Caluda and Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.
The work is in arch form (ABCBA) with the middle section being the folk song Shenandoah. There are also references to the folk song in the introduction and the coda. The different sections are contrasting. The A section is lyrical and chromatic (but tonal). The B section is up-tempo and highly chromatic. The C section is lyrical and very traditional in approach to harmonies. After a rather straight statement of the folk song the rest of this section develops the theme a little. The final B section ends with a lengthy transition to the final A. The transition is based on the A theme and contains some heavy counterpoint which finally dissolves into the return of the lyrical A theme.
Many colleges have also performed this piece.
Tchaikovsky - June
Arranged for Flute and Guitar.
4 minutes Intermediate ALRY Publications.
This is an arrangement June from The Seasons (sometimes called The Months) for Piano by Tchaikovsky.
Three Madrigals
Voice and Guitar or Voice and Piano.
6 minutes, Difficulty varies. Alymar.
There is a Lady Sweet and Kind
Two and a half minutes, Intermediate for voice, upper intermediate for guitarist.
The song captures the mood of light romantic innocence with just a hint of melancholy. This, as well as the other two songs from this set, is written in the style of a renaissance lute song.
It is written in AA'BA"B' form.
The Silver Swan
3 minutes, Difficult for voice, upper intermediate for guitarist.
A new setting of the famous song by Orlando Gibbons (?)
Set in ternary form with a coda.
Love Me Not for Comely Grace
2 minutes, Intermediate for voice, upper intermediate for guitarist.
Light hearted love song.
Through composed but similar motives in each verse.
To Aegir
In "To Aegir", Baxter melds together the worlds of the atonal and tonal. By combining aspects of 12 tone music with more traditional tonal languages, he creates a world that is sometimes lyrical and romantic, sometimes sharply angular and tense, but always driving forward, full of color and emotional expression. The music commands its own definition of what it considers consonant and dissonant. It is a successful example of how old and new musical languages and styles can co-exist within the framework of a single piece of music.
-Kevin Shannon of the Atlantic Guitar Quartet
5-6 minutes, intermediate. Les Productions D'OZ. Contact publisher for price.
Atonal piece with some tonal and bitonal sections. It has some similarities to Alban Berg's works in that it is romantic and lyrical in the traditional sense but uses a more contemporary approach to tonality and harmonies.
This work has been performed by dozens of college guitar ensembles.
A Touch O'Carolan
6 minutes, intermediate. ALRY, CD $5.
A medley of four tunes of various styles, by the Eighteenth Century Irish harpist Turlough Carolan, freely arranged for flute and guitar.
The tunes are:
Blind Mary
Carolan's Concerto
Sheebeg and Sheemore
Carolan's Draught
A fun piece of traditional Irish "folk music" with just a hint of Baroque influence. The songs were arranged from the original melodies, which were written without any harmonies. Mr. Baxter added the harmonies, counterpoint and ornamentation while trying to keep as close as possible to the original melodies. The melodies are spread between the two instruments.
This work has received high praise from Flutar, one of the premier flute and guitar duos in the world.
Two Songs from La Casa de Bernarda Alba (A Play by Federico Garcia Lorca)
Easy to lower intermediate level. Alymar Publications $10, CD $5.
These songs were commissioned by the McDaniel College theatre department.
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Ovejita
Published by Les Productions, d'OZ
Original Spanish version of an emotional song sung by Maria Josefa from Act III.
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Little Lamb
Published by Les Productions, d'OZ
Female voice a cappella or with guitar accompaniment.
Somewhat emotional song sung by a slightly bewildered older woman.
Difficulty: moderately easy. The guitar part mixes rasqueado strumming and single note accompaniment.
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Here Come the Reapers
Men's chorus and guitar.
This short song reflects the spirit of the workers in the field and their relationships with the women of the village.
Folk-like in nature with simple strumming accompaniment for the guitar (after a short written out introduction).
Contact the composer to obtain the music.
Two Songs of Reflection
Voice and Guitar or Voice and Piano.
6 minutes, Difficulty varies. Les Productions D'OZ.
The Cradle Song
Words by William Blake.
3 minutes, Lower advanced.
An interesting text that begins as a lullaby of a mother to a baby and then midway becomes a song about the baby Jesus.
The music is set in a binary form to reflect the poetry. Each section has two verses with each being set to similar music.
Tonal but highly chromatic with many leaps for the vocalist in the A section. The B section is almost folk-like in simplicity.
What Death Can Touch
Words by Chaim Stern.
3 minutes, Lower intermediate.
Highly touching words about losing a loved one.
Through-composed but with many similar phrases.
Une Belle Fleur for flute and guitar
Commissioned by the Friedman-Wysong Duo.
Published by Les Productions, d'Oz
5 minutes, upper intermediate level
Romantic piece featuring two main melodies. The flute and guitar are equal partners.
When Lights Begin to Show (Flute, Clarinet and Guitar)
"When Lights Begin to Show exudes rapture, so it should, given that (Baxter) wrote it to celebrate the marriage of close friends. The guitar partners with a flute and clarinet for a gorgeous trio setting that's as swoon-inducing as they come. It's hard to resist drawing a parallel between the woodwinds and the wedding couple when the instruments intertwine so lovingly."
Textura
February 2023
"When Lights Begin to Show is marvelously reminiscent of salon-type chamber stylings from an earlier period, but with a modern sensibility."
-Emily Kerski
5 minutes, Les Productions d'OZ
Written for the marriage of Amit and Rajni.
Your Face is Beautiful
2 minutes, Lower intermediate. Alymar $5.
Words by Sara Teasdale
This is a lyrical song of great love.
Written in ABA' form.
Violin / Viola Compositions
A Meadow Calls
For Viola, also written for violin
This short piece is in memory of the days in the past when a walk in a meadow or in the woods would beckon to me and I would explore nature.
Written for Carlos Boltes Palma
From the Headwaters
9 minutes, Upper intermediate. Alymar, score and parts $20.00
Piano Trio (Violin, Cello, Piano)
This is a romantic one-movement work in a broad ternary form. It begins with a dark theme in the two stringed instruments. After the piano enters with that theme it then moves to a romantic melody. The B section is up-tempo with a light melody that is tossed around among the 3 instruments. It returns to an abbreviated A section.
This piece is dedicated to the memory of my brother Gari Baxter.
(This is a revision of an earlier work: The Rejected Stone.)
