In the early 1960s the Venezuelan guitarist, Alirio Diaz, suggested to Duarte that, because the existing arrangements of Schubert lieder for voice and guitar were so poor, he should make some new arrangements. 20 songs were initially arranged, from 1966 onwards, and only nine of them were published by Edizioni Musicali Bèrben in 1973.

The songs in the present volume selected themselves for their vocal range and only one song, “Der Schatzgräber” D 256, had to be excluded. I am very grateful to...