Among the countries where Segovia played most often after his triumphant Paris debut is Switzerland. Since the best place to meet up with compsoers is after recitals, it is in this context that he met the Swiss composer, teacher and critic Aloÿs Fornerod (1890-1965). Coming from a French-speaking heritage, he studied in Lausanne and then in Paris with Vincent d’Indy. On returning to his country, he taught in Lausanne and Fribourg.
His only guitar work is a short but delicate, charming and sparkling Prélude. We can deduce that it was composed in 1936 or 1927 because of a reference in a letter from Segovia to his friend, the Mexican composer Manuel Ponce, and because it is also numbered opus 13. Later, it was reworked into a piano piece and published in the composer’s op. 14 collection. It is written in a Scarlatti sonata form with diatonic harmonies, some dissonant chords, and gentle modulations and arpeggios that make constant motion in a harpsichord style.
When I play this Prelude, it reminds me of a glass of champagne with petit fours. A very nice piece to play and to listen to. It is a pity that Segovia didn’t play it.
—Roberto Moronn Pérez