Road to the Sun

Road to the Sun represents a significant milestone in Pat Metheny's career, marking his formal debut as a composer for classical guitar ensembles. The album features two major multi-movement suites: 'Four Paths of Light,' performed by Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, and the six-part title track, performed by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ). Critics from AllMusic and various European jazz outlets noted the seamless integration of Metheny's signature harmonic language into a formal chamber music setting. The recording is notable for its lack of improvisation, relying instead on Metheny's meticulous notation. The album concludes with Metheny himself performing an arrangement of Arvo Pärt's 'Für Alina' on his custom 42-string Pikasso guitar, a track that bridges the gap between his experimental tendencies and the album's overall classical austerity. It stands as a testament to his versatility, moving beyond jazz fusion into the realm of modern composition.