A GUITARISTIC tour de force featuring the impressionistic music of legendary Paraguayan composer Agustin Barrios Mangore comes to Dorset this month.

Performed by Richard Durrant, one of the UK’s most imaginative and accomplished concert guitarists, Danza Paraguaya is a powerful mix of Mangore’s work alongside those of his contemporaries.

It is a fascinating musical tale that weaves together Los Paraguayos, Manuel de Falla, Django Reinhardt and Bob Dylan.

The concert also features visuals by animator Mark Charlton plus stage and lighting design by Bill Hammond of the Rambert Dance Company, resulting in a stunning multi-sensory stage show.

Richard recently toured Paraguay and launched his latest CD, The Number 26 Bus to Paraguay, in the country.

He said: “My mother brought me a record of Paraguayan music when I was eight and I completely fell in love with Agustin Barrios.

“When I recorded an album of his music, and was asked to launch it in Paraguay, I did a lot of research and my knowledge of his music grew and I felt a real connection with the country.”

Richard describes the country as ‘almost mythical’. It has a troubled history and became a democracy less than a decade ago. There is a lot of poverty and 60 per cent of people still speak the indigenous Guarani Indian tongue.

Richard said: “There is a spirituality and duality about the place. Although the official language is Spanish, the native Guarani dialect is still widely spoken largely thanks to the Jesuits who translated the Bible, which gave the language something to hold on to.

“It is what I would call an ‘analogue country’. The people are unbelievably hospitable and music is held very highly in their way of life. Kids don’t have their faces stuck to a computer or spend their time texting each other, they make music.”

He added: “The show is very absorbing and is made up of stuff with a real story to tell.”

Catch Richard at the Pamela Hambro Hall in Winterborne Stickland on October 15 (call 01258 880920 for tickets and details) and at Ashmore village hall on October 16 (call 01747 811364) Both shows start at 7.30pm and for further details of Danza Paraguaya, visit richard-durrant.com