Michael Carenbauer is an innovative programmer and has charted a new course for the guitar in central Arkansas over the past three decades. He has performed hundreds of solo programs that have included many of the major works from the classical guitar repertoire. He is comfortable with the standard jazz repertoire and is a fluent improviser. His output includes original compositions and arrangements for the Godin Multiac guitar synthesizer. 

His composition "Sextet for Zheng, Guitar and String Quartet" was premiered with the Quapaw Quartet and Chinese zheng soloist Connie Ng. Mr. Carenbauer also recorded his transcription of Bach's Concerto in E Major for Violin and String Orchestra and Leo Brouwer's "Quintetto for Guitar and String Quartet". He has introduced the music of Francois de Fossa to the Arkansas public in performances with the Arkansas Symphony Chamber groups. He established a duo with acclaimed cellist Felice Farrell, former principal soloist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He is available for performances and workshops through the Arkansas Arts Council "Arts on Tour" program.

Solo Guitar Repertoire

Repertoire is always changing/evolving.  In addition to the standard classical repertoire, it includes a set of Beatle songs arranged for solo guitar, works of Pat Metheny, original compositions and jazz arrangements.  The following will give you some idea...

From the Hispanic heritage...

Francisco Tarrega (1854-1909)

Lagrima, Danza Mora, Preludio #8 En Mi (Lagrima), Sueno (Mazurka), Adelita (Mazurka)          Pavana, Maria (Gavota), Vals (en re), El Columpio, Capricho Arabe, Pepita (Polka), Recuerdos De La Alhambra, Las Dos Hermanitas (Vals), Mazurka (en sol), Marieta (Mazurka)                        

Agustin Barrios Mangore (1885-1944)

Gran Val, Vals - Opus 8, No. 3, Vals - Opus 8, No. 4; La Catedral;  
El ultimo tremolo (Una limosnita por el amor de Dios)

Compositions of Issac Albeniz (1860-1909)

Granada serenata, Asturias, Mallorca, Sevilla sevillanas

Antonio Lauro (1917-1984)

Valses  venezolanos for Guitar  

Various other works by Sagrearas, Brouwer, etc. 

Baroque

Jean Baptiste Loeillet (1680-1730) 

Suite 1 –Allemande, Corente, Sarabanda, Aria, Minuet, Giga

J. S. Bach (1685-1750) 

Concerto in E Major for Violin and String Orchestra (transcribed for guitar with String quartet accompaniment)

Original transcriptions Bach Sonatas and Partitas for violin arranged for solo guitar

D. Scarlatti (1685-1757)

David Russell arrangements of Sonatas K238, 239, 308, 309

Classical Period

Matteo Carcassi (1792-1853)

Opus 60 Etudes for Guitar

Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829)

Variations sulla cavatina favorita "De! Calma oh ciel"di Rossini, Op. 101                 

Fernando Sor (1778-1839)

Introduction, Theme and Variations on a theme from Mozart's Zauberflöte

Various etudes 

Beatle arrangements

Across the Universe, And I Love Her, Ask Me Why, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, Come Together, Fool on the Hill, For No One, Here Comes the Sun, I Will, I'll Follow the Sun, In My Life, Norwegian Wood, Octopus Garden, Penny Lane, She's Leaving Home, This Boy, Things We Said Today

Pat Metheny (b. 1954)..in style of Jason Vieaux

Farmer’s Trust, Letter from Home, Always and Forever, The Road to You

Paul Simon (b. 1941)..in style of Manuel Barreuco

Bookends, Old Friends

Jazz solo arrangements..in style of Martin Taylor

Tennessee Waltz, Georgia on My Mind

Original Compositions

Ode to Home Life (in the style of James Taylor), A Mother's Love

Holiday arrangements

Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World, What Child is This, (Greensleeves)