In 1938, Antonio Lauro became the first Venezuelan to complete formal studies in classical guitar. Although it was through the waltz that Lauro found his way as a composer (his Venezuelan Waltzes are available on Naxos 8.554348), his output includes other rhythms and forms that span his country’s history and geography. The main work on this recording, the Sonata, written after Lauro’s imprisonment in 1951-52 for opposition to the ruling military junta, combines elements rooted in the musical heritage of Venezuela with western scholarly references.