Music Review : Guitarist Liona Boyd

The title of guitarist Liona Boyd’s recently released recording, “Encore!,” sums up her recital at the Wadsworth Theater on Saturday. Any one of the 24 short works that she played could serve as a suitable encore, though only one of them actually did. From Satie’s first “Gymnopedie” to Bustamente’s “La Misionera,” the Canadian musician continuously offered elegantly performed, pleasant fare. She played a number of works by Richard Fortin, whose music exhibits an appealing eclecticism and tunefulness, though it is quickly forgotten.

Three of her own pieces--collectively titled “Latin Suite”--effectively capitalized on her fluent lyricism, her dynamic control and the wide color spectrum. Boyd’s own compositions mix the style of a good deal of Spanish guitar music with simple, folk-influenced harmony and catchy melodies.

Though one would most likely characterize her playing as refined--even delicate--she could play with energized vigor when necessary, as she did in a series of ethnic dances arranged by Fortin and herself. A pair of etudes and “Choros Typico” by Villa-Lobos gave proof of her technical virtuosity, though here and elsewhere she was troubled by strings that wouldn’t stay perfectly in tune.