American fingerstyle guitar had its true beginnings with parlor room guitarists in the 19th century who cultivated a written musical tradition modeled after that of European guitarists. Polite society of the time enjoyed stylized "society ballroom dances" including marches, polkas, and waltzes. The works selected for this anthology represent the best of American parlor-salon guitar music. Several of the composers presented here, such as William Foden, Charles DeJanon, and William O. Bateman, are gradually becoming familiar to a new generation of fingerstyle guitarists interested in the classic guitar's American past. Written in notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.

Andante, Grand Valse       John P. Wiebking
Breath of Spring: Characteristic Dance       A.J. Weidt
Helena Waltz       Charles de Janon
Homeward Bound March       William Foden
Lila Polka (Lilac)       Miguel S. Arevalo
Magnet Polka       Alfred Way
Marche de Nuit       Louis Moreau Gottschalk
Pensees Nocturnes: Valse Sentimentale       Frederick Buckley
Philomela Waltz       William O. Bateman
Post Horn Waltz       Charles de Janon
Progression March       William Foden
Sixth Waltz       John B. Coupa
Summer House Polka       Nellie Pearson
The Emperor Polka       William Foden
The Forgotten Polka       William O. Bateman
Washington Post March       John Philip Sousa