Roland Dyens

Dyens was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He studied guitar with the Spanish classical
guitarist Alberto Ponce and analysis with Dsir Dondeyne. He won several
prizes in competitions for classical guitar performance as well as for
composition.[citation needed]
As a performer, Dyens was known for his extraordinary capacity for
improvisation. Unique among classical musicians, Dyens frequently opened his
concerts with an improvised piece, in order to help him get a feel for the hall
and the audience. His guitar music draws on many elements of folk music and
jazz, and has become popular with players. Tango en Ska (1985), is one of his
best-known pieces, but also widely played is the more extended Libra
Sonatine (1986) written in three movements: "India", "Largo", "Fuoco",
composed after Dyens had undergone heart surgery. Ska is a French slang term
for imitation leather, and here references the Gauchos of Argentina and
Southern Brazil who are known for their distinctive leather outfits. Hence Tango
en Ska is a humorous, gaudy take on the tango. In addition to being the most
prolific guitar composer of his generation, Dyens also released several volumes
of arrangements. Ranging from jazz standards to Brazilian folk music, these
arrangements have made their way into the repertoire of both professional and
amateur guitarists. Dyens toured extensively; he performed at many music
festivals and held master classes at many locations across Europe, the United
States and Asia.
He taught at the Conservatoire National Suprieur de Musique de Paris, where
he was Professor of Guitar. Dyens died on October 29, 2016 at the age of 61. [3][4]