Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Guitarist John Williams (no, not John Williams the soundtrack composer) adds to his fine catalog of impeccable recordings with Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar. But this isn't just a best-of collection (though some of his greatest work is included here) since the disc contains three new recordings. Among the new tracks, Fauré's Pavane is a real stunner, a short but gorgeous piece originally meant for orchestra and choir, where Williams's guitar sounds as though it always belonged there. We get Williams at his most interpretative--his arrangements of Satie's Gymnopedie No. 3 and Piazzolla tango Verano porteno--and his most serene (the "Cavatina" theme from the movie Deer Hunter). Let's face it, some fine classical guitarists can lull their listeners into near comatose states with their instrument; Williams, on the other hand, is just the opposite. His gorgeous tone, inventive arrangements, and interesting repertoire continue to make the classical guitar sound exciting. In short, a great introduction to Williams and a real gem for lovers of classical guitar. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Romance
Pavane
Sunburst
Una Limosna Por el Amor de Dios
Asturias
Gymnopedie No. 3
El Condor Pasa
Verano Porteno
Scherzino Mexicano
Berceuse
Natalia
Dance from la Vida Breve
Planxty Madame Maxwell
Epitafios
Prelude from Lute Suite
I. Prelude from Suite for Lute (Guitar) No. 4 in E Major, BXV 1006a - From The Seville Concert
Sonata in E Major, K. 380 (L. 23) - From The Baroque Album
III. Allegro from Trio For Violin, Lute (Guitar) And Basso Continuo In C Major, RV 82 - From John Williams Plays Vivaldi Concertos
II. Adagio From Conceirto de Aranjuez For Guitar And Orchestra

Amazon.com

Guitarist John Williams (no, not John Williams the soundtrack composer) adds to his fine catalog of impeccable recordings with Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar. But this isn't just a best-of collection (though some of his greatest work is included here) since the disc contains three new recordings. Among the new tracks, Fauré's Pavane is a real stunner, a short but gorgeous piece originally meant for orchestra and choir, where Williams's guitar sounds as though it always belonged there. We get Williams at his most interpretative--his arrangements of Satie's Gymnopedie No. 3 and Piazzolla tango Verano porteno--and his most serene (the "Cavatina" theme from the movie Deer Hunter). Let's face it, some fine classical guitarists can lull their listeners into near comatose states with their instrument; Williams, on the other hand, is just the opposite. His gorgeous tone, inventive arrangements, and interesting repertoire continue to make the classical guitar sound exciting. In short, a great introduction to Williams and a real gem for lovers of classical guitar. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

The Aranjuez Adagio is Perfection.......2007-03-01

The second movement adagio of the Aranjuez concert is one of my favourite pieces, a very difficult one to get right. I've listened to well over a dozen variations, the one on this CD, track 19, is an absolute gem. Just by itself is reason enough to own this CD. The only other Aranjuez performance that's even worth mentioning in the same breath is Julian Bream's, track 2 of the CD titled just "Julian Bream", with the Monteverdi orchestra. Both are just stunning performances, as close to perfection as it gets. Julian's is a bit stronger on the guitar than the one here.

Classic.......2007-01-26

Excellent CD for those interested in classical music. All the tracks are great in sound quality!

Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar.......2007-01-20

Loved the songs....loved the guitar renditions. Would highly recommend!

The Best One Disc Compilation of the Man That's Out There!.......2006-04-19

If you had to call modern classical guitar by another name, it would be John Williams. A student of none other than the brilliant Andres Segovia himself, John has shown over the years to have learnt a great deal from the master and has himself developed simply impeccable technique.

As a guitarist myself who has been struggling all these years with "Cavatina", it always amazes me how effortlessly John makes the tune sound so simple and as if two guitarists are playing, one for the accompanyment and one for the melody and yet it's all him! Not only are the tracks representative of John's great talent but they also represent some of the most famous and challenging pieces to play.

Another great example of this is "Asturias(Leyenda) by Albeniz, a hauntingly beautiful and deceptively simple-sounding piece. We also get pieces that span the centuries from J.S. Bach and Vivaldi to Stanley Myers and York ending with the brilliant second movement of Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez".

Although the sound quality isn't brilliant as some tracks sound better mastered than others, overall this is a great one disc introduction to John Williams' work and comes highly recommended.

Excellent!!.......2006-03-06

This is a delightful compilation. The music flows effortlessly and leaves the listener wanting more.

Average customer rating:

The Greatest
Enchanting, moving, Perlman is magic!

Classic Perlman: Rhapsody

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Cinema Serenade
Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits
Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Cinema Serenade II: The Golden Age
Ithzak Perlman: Encores

ASIN: B0000636A5
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Tracks:

Henry V: Canzonetta
Schindler's List: Theme From Schindler's List
Concerto In D Major For Violin, Piano And String Quartet, Op.21: Sicilienne - Juilliard String Quartet
Humoresque No.7 In G-Flat Major, Op.101
Violin Sonata No.3 In D Minor, Op.108: Adagio - Daniel Barenboim
Now, Voyager: Theme From Now, Voyager
Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse: Theme Four Hoursemen Of The Apocalypse
Slavonic Dance No.2 In E Minor, Op.72
Cantabile For Violin And Guitar - John Williams
Cinema Paradiso: Love Theme
Romance In F Minor For Violin And Orchestra, Op.11
Henry V: Touch Her Soft Lips And Part

Amazon.com

This compilation of selections from recordings made between 1975 and 1998, including one previously unreleased to create a framework, is a curious mix. All the pieces are slow, and this being the age of the soundbite, none is longer than five minutes except the Romance by Dvorák, who is also represented by two other popular pieces, specifically arranged to include a cello part for Yo-Yo Ma. Half the program consists of "themes" from movie soundtracks, and the comparison between them is interesting. John Williams, André Previn, and Max Steiner are film composers whose juicy melodies and swooping orchestrations are appropriate to the medium, while William Walton was a "serious" composer whose style retained its austerity in his film music. Two single slow movements, from Chausson's Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, and from Brahms's Third Violin Sonata, make one yearn for more. The latter is the only piece on the disc that can reasonably be called "classical;" as for the "rhapsodic" part of the title, it is certainly justified by the performances. Perlman plays everything, whether by Brahms or John Williams, with the same concentration, commitment, and emotional intensity. His expressiveness is always noble and so genuine that there is never a moment of sentimentality or condescension. The program gives him little chance to display his virtuosity, but shows off his glorious tone in all its variety, warmth, and radiance; the climaxes soar with rapturous ecstasy. His partners and accompanying orchestras could not be better. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest .......2007-06-11

Once in a very great while, God creates a musician who even He is in awe of. Itzhak Perlman is simply the greatest violinist who has ever lived. His Violin Concerto (Beethoven) is perhaps the greatest ever recorded, while here his violin expresses the joys and horrors of Cinema Paradiso and Shindler's List, themes not to be missed by anyone.

Enchanting, moving, Perlman is magic!.......2005-04-21

I played the violin growing up and could never imagine it could be played as
beautifully as Perlman can play it. He is unequalled as far as I'm concerned,
but anyone would enjoy this album as it has wonderfully memorable show
tunes like Cinema Paradiso and Schindler's List and the most beautiful
rendition ever of Michel Legrand's If It takes forever, I will wait for you
from UMBRELLAS of CHERBOURG.
It stays in my car CD player where I enjoy it over and over!