Fantasy and Variations on a Scottish Air, Op. 40

"Sor's variations on'Ye banks and braes o'bonnie Doon' are nothing less than a small masterpiece." - Brian Jeffery, guitar scholar and founder of Tecla Editions, publisher of the complete works of Fernando Sor. The song is an old tune to which Robert Burns wrote new words. His version appeared in 1792 as No. 374 in Scots Musical Museum, and immediately became universally known and popular. The intention which he gave the song is clearly indicated by his direction of Slow & tender.

The rhythm of the melody has a Scotch hop, but it is "the hop of the strathspey, that slow and stately dance which can accommodate equally well the pomp of a clan gathering and the sadness of Burns' poem." Thus, do not play the variations too fast.

- Notes adapted from a Preface to Sor's Op.40 by Brian Jeffery