American Record Guide calls Frank Wallace’s compositions “exciting, unpredictable, and fresh.” Fanfare has dubbed him a composer with “an authentic expressive voice” and a “high standard of musical interest” and NewMusicBox.org calls it “contemporary musical emancipation.” His compositions for guitar, lute, voice and chamber ensembles are the fruit of a colorful career in music that has been unlike any other of his generation. Wallace has distinguished himself not only as a dynamic soloist and accompanist on classical and romantic guitars, but he is also recognized as a leading player of the vihuela de mano and lute. He is a master of self-accompanied song. With his rich baritone he sings and plays the solo songs of renaissance Italy and Spain, Elizabethan England, Schubert and his own compositions with equal attention to the subtleties of melody, words, and accompaniments.
Wallace’s works showcase the classical guitar in solo, duo, ensemble works from 3-6 guitars, and in chamber works with voice, flute, cello, English horn, mandolin, and piano. Self-taught as a composer, his compositional style has influences from the blues and jazz to medieval and avante garde. The compelling melodies and rich accompaniments in over 100 songs highlight the influence of his mentors from Dowland to Schubert to Britten. Wallace has written works for ChromaDuo, Jugend Zupf Orchestra of Germany, Mare Duo, Marek Pasiezcny, Olson / De Cari Duo, Providence Mandolin Orchestra and others.
Wallace’s complete works and recordings are available at www.gyremusic.com, a site rich with information and samples of sheet music and audio. “...a composer with a distinct voice...”—Soundboard