The Segovia Collection [Box set] [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The vastly improved sonics which the Deutsche Grammophon production team achieves with its 24/96 remastering of the guitarist's 1952-1969 mono and stereo performances for Decca allow listeners to finally experience the rich tonal palette and intimate nature of Segovia's performance art in a manner commensurate with the fidelity of the original LP releases (minus the edgy digital glare and graininess of the MCA reissues). What emerges is a portrait of the artist as a lightning rod for great composers, such as Manuel Ponce, Federico Torroba, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Isaac Albéniz, and Enrique Granados, all of whom enriched the 20th-century repertoire of solo and chamber works by custom-crafting works for this innovative guitarist (Segovia's interpretation of Joaquín Rodrigo's "Fandango" is a paradigm for his role in popularizing the modern Spanish idiom). Likewise, Segovias's work as an arranger in recasting baroque and medieval works for modern guitar, as well as his deep affection for 19th-century masters of the instrument such as Dionisio Aguado and Fernando Sor, shines forth on discs two and three. However, it is Segovia's romantic touch in transposing Bach's Partitas for Solo Violin--as on his virtuoso turns on the "Chaconne in D Minor"--that best illustrate his poetic conception of the instrument. --Chip Stern

Customer Reviews:

Can't be beat!.......2007-04-07

No classical guitar fan should be without this Segovia cd. Though I have these pieces on other Segovia cd's to have these beautiful pieces on one cd is great. Some of my favorite numbers which I myself play are on it and I can listen to these over and over again to improve my own performance.

Excellent Segovia Disc for Beginners!!!.......2006-08-07

Although I had been familiar with Andres Segovia for pretty much all my life, I never really heard or owned anything by the great Spanish guitar legend until I purchased this - "The Millenium Collection".
After listening to this CD only once, I've come to realize why Segovia is such an innovative legend. Every track on this CD whether it be Bach, Albinez or Rodrigo is performed with great passion and fire. The notes literally cascade from Segovia's fingers as if they were made of paper.
This CD comes as highly recommended for guitar fanatics. Whether you're into rock, jazz or classical, there is plenty of amazing virtouosity heard on this disc that will amaze you.
Segovia's influence can be heard in the playing of anyone from his contemporaries Julian Bream and John Williams to rock legends Eric Clapton and Steve Hackett.
Here, you get to hear the master at work and I must say, it is awesome!!!

Virtuoso!.......2006-04-27

Yes no doubt, he can play.
Very good reasonable price compilation. On the other hand his production is so wide, so it is difficult/impossible to collect one perfect compilation.
Good start to Segovia.
Booklet is good enough.

Maybe not "The Best of," but VERY good!.......2004-12-27

I'll be completely honest, I only have one Andres Segovia album, this one, so I can't say as to how accurate the title of this cd actually is, but i have heard a lot of classical music (and classical guitar), and from this i can draw that this album is great! We all now how great Segovia is, and this album is jam packed with Segovia being, well, great! It starts out with the prelude to the first Bach cello suite. Being both a cellist and a guitarist, its unbelievable hearing the emphasis and phrasing that Segovia uses playing a cello suite on the guitar. It's a great representation of Segovia's innovativeness becaues of one, his phrasing as mentioned, but two, he alters the music to fit his style of playing, and it makes a creative piece of art. The next track is the Bouree from Bach's guitar suite in E minor. Now if you've heard classical guitar, chances are, you've heard this one. It's such a great classic, and Segovia simply makes it all the better. The next track is also a cross over between insturments (from violin), and also Bach, (but most importantly, also Segovia!). Next is a piece for the lute, a rare track, but it's a nice one and Segovia gives it a nice touch. The next track, Recuerdos de la Alhambra, is, in my opinion, the best. It's just such a beatiful piece of music, and the guitar playing will really bring you to tears. The next two are both written by Albeniz. The color of Segovia's tone as well as his technical genious are well represented on these two tracks. Simply unbelievable. The next piece is a fun spanish dance, performed by the greatest classical guitarist ever, from spain! The last few tracks are Segovia with a small orchestra. The piece is 1st class, and its a whole new experience hearing segovia play with other people. There is a lot of energy and fluidity throughout the tracks, and its a great way to show another amazing side to this guitar player. All in all, who knows if it's the best, but Andres Segovia IS the best, and if the music is beatiful, why not? Pick up a copy, you won't be disapointed.

Julian Bream: The Ultimate Guitar Collection-Volume 2

Average customer rating:

Not ultimate- but wonderful, none-the-less
Very Nice Bream Collection
Not what I thought!
Ultimately Satisfying
Spectacular

Julian Bream: The Ultimate Guitar Collection-Volume 2

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ultimate Guitar Collection
Together/Julian Bream & John Williams
Baroque Guitar
300 Years of Guitar Masterpieces
Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces

ASIN: B00004UEH6
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

I: Allegretto
Capricho Arabe
A Fancy
Etude No. 5 In C
I. Allegretto
I. Allegretto
I. Allegro
The Wood So Wild
Adante; Molto Adagio; Adante
Fandango
Segovia, Op. 29
Fantasia XXII
II. Andante
Preludio
II. Andantino Grazioso
Fantasia
Bourree
Gigue
Polonaise, Op.2, No.2
Canario

Customer Reviews:

Not ultimate- but wonderful, none-the-less.......2007-04-14

As good a guitarist as Julian Bream is, one must begin by acknowledging that the title of this 2-CD set containing 32 admittedly seminal pieces written for hand-played strings ( primarily, the lute) is a tad hyperbolistic. An "Ultimate" collection of anything would have to be more complete, by definition, than any two CDs can be and, again, it almost goes without saying that no two people are apt to be in total agreement about what should or should not have been included in any such collection. All caveats considered and aside, this is, indeed, a thoughtfully selected and masterfully performed collection of what is, unarguably, some of the very best classical pieces ever written for the lute. Bream plays some of them on the guitar and others on a renaissance lute - the latter giving a somewhat truer indication of the stylings and musical nuances intended by the various composers. But, even the pieces he plays on the guitar - an instrument that, in it's current form, did not exist when many of the pieces were originally composed - are sensitive and lyrical interpretations that sound as if they MIGHT have been composed for the guitar.

Without spending space here reiterating the specific pieces, their titles and lengths, I will simply list the composers whose works Bream presents so nicely in this collection. They span a range of about five centuries beginning in the time of England's Elizabeth I and spanning the years through to the 20th Century's premier Spanish and Brazilian classical guitar composers. The list reads like a `Whose Who" of classical plucked-string instrument music and of composers whose keyboard compositions work particularly well on the strings of a lute or guitar, and includes;
- John Dowland
- Francis Cutting
- Antonio Vivaldi
- Gaspar Sanz (*)
- Mateo Albeniz (*)
- Manuel de Falla
- Enrique Granados (*)
- Hector Villa-Lobos, and
- Joaquin Rodrigo
(*) = Pieces originally written for keyboard play.

Every classical guitarist has his own recognizable style and approach to the instrument and the material. An experience listener would not confuse Bream's work with that of Andres Segovia, for example: but it is not that one is better than the other. Each, in his own distinctive way, is simply superb. Though the Spanish influence is clearly audible with both musicians, Bream's stylings have a more contemporary lilt and inflection than do those of Segovia; he makes each piece his own. One suspects that each time he plays a piece it comes out differently according to the moment, his mood, the instrument and God knows what else. Segovia, on the other hand, was well known for his constancy once he had found a version of each piece that fully suited his own ear and temperament.
While I am admittedly a Segovia fan, I find Bream's renditions to be noticeably fresher and each infused with an aura of presence in the here-and-now which I find especially enjoyable.

The collection is neither complete not `ultimate', but it is VERY good and well worth having in any collection of classical guitar music. In fact, for audiophiles not familiar with this genre, it is a fair place to begin to develop an ear for and a listener's knowledge of and experience with the classical guitar.

Very Nice Bream Collection.......2005-03-03

I have volumes one and two, but I prefer volume two because it contains later recordings, which are of a better sound quality than the tin-can reverb that predominates in volume one. I really like the inclusion of about a half dozen lute pieces in addition to the guitar. I wasn't a lute fan before, but after hearing Bream playing lute on this CD, I am a convert. Ditto with what one reviewer said about Sor's Andantino Grazioso--purely delightful.

Overall, this CD consists of a good variety of masterfully played music. I only wish most of Bream's recordings were recorded using later technology, which would make his playing shine even more.

Not what I thought!.......2004-11-08

Well, a bit of a "anti-climax"! I was expecting something totally different. Not at all the kind of guitar music I like but will make out a great unexpected gift (hopefully). The delivery time from order to delivery was excellant, 19days - internationally!

Ultimately Satisfying.......2004-02-03

A wonderful companion to the first set, this edition includes 20 beautifully recorded pieces by one of the master guitarists of the twentieth century. And Bream is at his best in these recordings, showing off his amazing technique, as well as his almost daunting emotional power. An amazing gift to guitarists and music lovers.

Spectacular.......2002-02-11

The brilliance of Breams guitar/lute shines through. If you love any of his work you will love this, I can never get tired of his work.Especially this one. Antantino grazioso is absolutely amazing.

Average customer rating:

Above All Others
The Great Master, of Masters
THIS GORGEOUS GUITAR MUSIC BEGS FOR LISTENING. . .
beautiful selection of the decca segovia
There's Only One Segovia

The Segovia Collection

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Art of Segovia
Ultimate Guitar Collection
Andres Segovia: In Portrait
300 Years of Guitar Masterpieces
Julian Bream: The Ultimate Guitar Collection-Volume 2

ASIN: B000060O5J
Release Date: 2002-06-11

Amazon.com

The vastly improved sonics which the Deutsche Grammophon production team achieves with its 24/96 remastering of the guitarist's 1952-1969 mono and stereo performances for Decca allow listeners to finally experience the rich tonal palette and intimate nature of Segovia's performance art in a manner commensurate with the fidelity of the original LP releases (minus the edgy digital glare and graininess of the MCA reissues). What emerges is a portrait of the artist as a lightning rod for great composers, such as Manuel Ponce, Federico Torroba, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Isaac Albéniz, and Enrique Granados, all of whom enriched the 20th-century repertoire of solo and chamber works by custom-crafting works for this innovative guitarist (Segovia's interpretation of Joaquín Rodrigo's "Fandango" is a paradigm for his role in popularizing the modern Spanish idiom). Likewise, Segovias's work as an arranger in recasting baroque and medieval works for modern guitar, as well as his deep affection for 19th-century masters of the instrument such as Dionisio Aguado and Fernando Sor, shines forth on discs two and three. However, it is Segovia's romantic touch in transposing Bach's Partitas for Solo Violin--as on his virtuoso turns on the "Chaconne in D Minor"--that best illustrate his poetic conception of the instrument. --Chip Stern

Customer Reviews:

Above All Others.......2006-10-16

John Williams, David Russell, Christopher Parkening, Julian Bream, et. al. all owe a great deal to this now departed giant. If you own ANY classical guitar recordings, you should purchase this collection. It's not only the finest remastering available, but an equisitely fine selection of Segovia's contribution to the genre and the art.

The Great Master, of Masters.......2005-06-28

Andrés Segovia was the great master of classical guitar. This set show us 400 years of music taken for the guitar, he was the first in give the guitar place like a cult instrument in 20th century through his works invaluable transcriptions of several instruments (cello, lute, etc.) of composers like Bach, Dowland, Manuel M. Ponce, Fernando Sor, Tárrega, etc.

The scope from Segovia has leaved footsteps in the great world of classical music, for his research and investigations about it. In this set we can listen pieces like "six pavanas" from the ending Age Middle of Luis Milán, and begginig of Rennasaince like Dowland's songs togheter Roncali Ludovico between others on CD 3.
Also show us the great spanish composer Enrique Granados, Torroba, Sor, icons of guitar music. I Basically bought this cd for "Pavane" 1-6 and that better found it in this GREAT SET. If you're a lover of Classical Music, or classical guitar this one of the greatest set box ever made in any genre!!!.

Andrés Segovia, Marquis of Salobreia, was born near Jaen, Granada, Spain. He became a guitarist against the double opposition of his parents. First, they opposed his learning the guitar and got him cello and piano teachers instead. When he persisted in teaching himself guitar, they opposed his becoming a musician. He sought a guitar teacher at the Granada Institute of Music when he studied there, but found none, so continued learning the instrument on his own. He made his debut at the Centro Artística in Granada at the age of 15. He played so skillfully that he was urged to become a professional soloist. He played in Madrid in 1912, at the Paris Conservatory in 1915, and in Barcelona in 1916, and made a wildly successful tour of South America in 1919. He made his formal debut in Paris on April 7, 1924, in a program which included a new work written for him by Albert Roussel, named Segovia. It was the first of many works which were written for him by distinguished composers, enriching the instrument's repertory as Segovia had elevated its artistic potential. His U.S. debut was at Town Hall, New York, on January 8, 1928.

Being self-taught, his technique was unique. It was, in fact, superior to that which was being taught at the time, and extended the flexibility and expressive possibilities of the instrument. The main difference was in the method of using the right hand for strumming and picking the strings: Segovia's method paid much attention to the means of attack: whether hard parts of the fingers, fleshy parts, or the nails were used; other subtleties that affected the dynamics of the instrument; and an economy of motion that allowed longer and more sustained playing. There were classical guitarists before him, and distinguished ones even when he appeared, but it was not an instrument that was regarded as a serious vehicle for classical music. Segovia personally changed that, and not by accident. No doubt affected by his parents' attitude toward his chosen career, he had a driving desire to make it so. He wrote numerous transcriptions of older music for lute and for the Spanish vihuela. He transcribed music of Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Chopin, Handel, and others. He commissioned works by Castelnuovo-Tedesco (notably the great suite Platero and I), Falla, Turina, Tansman, Villa-Lobos, Torroba, Ponce, and Rodrigo, whose Fantasia para un gentilhombre was written for him. His reinstatement of the guitar as a solo instrument was sealed by his becoming one of the great teachers of music history. He established guitar schools or courses at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Siena, Santiago de Compostela, and the University of California in Berkeley. His students included Alirio Diaz, Oscar Ghilia, and John Williams.

Segovia become one of the great names in classical music, whose mere name was enough to sell out houses worldwide. He received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including the Grand Cross of Isabela and Alfonso, the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society of London, and many honorary degrees. The house where he was born had a commemorative plaque attached to it in 1969 proclaiming him the "leading son of the city." King Juan Carlos of Spain ennobled him as the Marquis of Salobreia in 1981, and in the same year a Segovia International Guitar Competition was established in his honor. He continued to give recitals and concerts until an advanced age, and had the rare opportunity, in 1984, of playing at a gala concert honoring the 75th anniversary of professional debut.

THIS GORGEOUS GUITAR MUSIC BEGS FOR LISTENING. . ........2004-02-24

__________________________________________________________________________________

. . . and I literally begged for this boxed set as a gift a while back and got lucky. The technical quality of the remastering is exquisite - the first 2 CD's especially sound as if you're in a recording studio with the master himself. (disc one includes "Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre" & "Concierto Del Sur" and disc two "Castillos De Espana")

I've found they are now selling the individual CD's separately in the same packaging, so if you're on a limited budget you can collect them at your own speed or limit yourself to those selections you most want. I sincerely recommend them all however and if you buy the boxed set you get the added bonus of an excellent booklet.

There are very few CD's in my collection that I derive as much sheer pleasure listening to. This is indeed a 5 star Segovia collection!

beautiful selection of the decca segovia.......2003-10-02

there probably wasn't a classical guitarist alive in the 1950's and 60's who didn't know by heart all of segovia's decca albums and julian bream's spectacular recordings for rca and westminster. this set will be a stroll down memory lane for everyone with segovia schott editions in the attic, and essential listening for anyone interested in the classical guitar or in discovering a genuine musical genius -- the equal on his instrument of casals, rubenstein or heifitz on theirs.

segovia literally created the 20th century classical guitar out of an instrument with a cachet not far above the banjo. the booklet to the boxed set gives a fine overview of segovia's career and recording practice, though omitting many key details. (segovia innovated guitar concerts in large concert halls because he was among the first to use his fingernails, rather than bare fingertips, to pluck the strings, and pushed guitar makers to build larger, brighter and more sonorous instruments.)

each of the 4 separately cased cds generously samples (up to 80 minutes each) from (1) the guitar concerto; (2) 20th century compositions dedicated to segovia; (3) pieces for lute, vihuela and 19th century guitar, with some albeniz transcriptions thrown in; and (4) segovia's transcriptions of pieces by j.s. bach.

the digital sound in these recordings (almost all from the 1950's) is really superb, giving contour to every detail of the master tapes. it also reveals the changing recording standards of the early lp: though the sound is consistently vivid and balanced, the guitar is sometimes distant and echoy (a "tile bathroom" sound characteristic of the earliest lp's), or intimate but slightly muffled, or bright and contrasty with a hint of added reverb at the top. i was a little taken aback by the uneven dynamics and nail clatter that i hadn't noticed years ago in segovia's playing: modern recording and performance practice have changed expectations toward a more homogenous and finished sound. but there is a spontaneity, fire, grace, color, imagination and wit in segovia's playing that you won't find anywhere else ... well, excepting julian bream.

it's picky to second guess editorial decisions in a set as generous as this ... but what the heck: i really missed tansman's lovely suite of polish dances ("cavatina"), regretted the absence of a complete sonata or suite by manuel ponce, and would trade the boccherini "guitar" (transcribed cello) concerto for the castelnuovo-tedesco guitar concerto. that said, the performances here of rodrigo's "fantasia para un gentilhombre" and ponce's "concerto del sur" are among the best available, and the generous sampling sor etudes will remind all us graying guitarists of the many happy hours we spent practicing these pieces from the only edition then available -- segovia's own.

deutsche grammaphon has also released a 2-cd set of segovia recordings ("the art of andres segovia"), which duplicates only four pieces from this 4-cd boxed set, and veers more toward colorful transcriptions and single movement selections from longer works. together they make a 6 cd collection of many of the finest recordings by the man who started it all, spawned thousands of heirs and imitators -- and set the bar for them very, very high.

There's Only One Segovia.......2002-07-19

This is the PERFECT retrospective boxed set. DG has outdone itself with this career retrospective of Spanish classical guitar legend Andres Segovia. The set was released on the 15th anniversary of Segovia's death in 1987. From the famous "Fantasia para un gentilhombre" to transcriptions of J.S. Bach for the guitar, all four CDs showcase nothing but the genius of Segovia. The remastered DG recordings sound terrific and the accompanying booklet, complete with photographs from throughout the master's life in Spain, is excellent. If you love Spanish classical guitar and adore the 19th-Century romantic style of playing championed by Segovia, buy this set. You won't be disappointed. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Christopher Parkening - A Tribute to Segovia

Average customer rating:

Awesome guitar work
Have been loving this for over ten years!!
sonic rapture...
Not just a tribute
Wonderful, relaxing music

Christopher Parkening - A Tribute to Segovia

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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In the Spanish Style / Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening plays Bach
Artistry of Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening Plays Vivaldi Guitar Concertos & Warlock Capriol Suite
Christopher Parkening - The Great Recordings ~ By America's Preeminent Guitar Virtuoso

ASIN: B000002RQ8
Release Date: 1991-11-08

Tracks:

Castles Of Spain: Rumor de copla
Castles Of Spain: Siguenza
Castles Of Spain: Manzanares del real
Castles Of Spain: Romance de los pinos
Castles Of Spain: Turegano
Variations On A Theme Of Mozart
Tonadilla
Suite espanola: Espanoletas
Suite espanola: Rujero y paradetas
Suite espanola: La Minona de Cataluna
Suite espanola: Folias
Suite espanola: Passacalle de la cavalleria de Napoles
Suite espanola: Canarios
Villanesca
Torre bermeja
Estudio sin luz
Remembranza
Suite In D Minor: Preludio
Suite In D Minor: Allegro
Suite In D Minor: Zarabanda
Suite In D Minor: Gabota
Suite In D Minor: Despacio
Suite In D Minor: Giga
Suite catalan: La Filadora
Suite catalan: La Filla del marxant
Suite catalan: La Nit de nadal
Suite catalan: El Noi de la mare

Customer Reviews:

Awesome guitar work.......2007-01-12

Parkening sets the standard for others to compare to. Enjoyable tribute to Segovia. The type of guitar mastery that one can relax to after a hard days work. Enough said.

Have been loving this for over ten years!!.......2003-09-26

I bought this cassette over ten years ago (1992) when I started taking classical guitar lessons. Would listen to it on the way home from work, then had a baby nine years ago and have used it for lullaby music (works like a charm) for afternoon naps and nighttime. Still listen to it in the car when the kids fight and they mellow out instantly.

Finally buying it on CD because I think I wore a spot out on the cassette! I have listened to this masterpiece at least a thousand times and have never, ever tired of this most excellent work of art.

If you are a classical guitar fan, you will absolutely adore every single note played on this album/CD. I promise!! :)

sonic rapture..........2003-06-03

If anyone knows of a better sonically intoxicating cd than this please let me know. Possibly only Julian Bream's unreal 1982 Granados and Albeniz cd would top this one for me. Anyway just thought I would pass this thought along to anyone who may visit here. The tone is absolutely magical on this cd. This is the cd to listen to at night to chill out and get mellow while being enchanted to the max. Peace. I must go on... the tone, the tone. My god the tone.

Not just a tribute.......2001-07-31

Parkening shows how much he learned from Segovia. I have many of these pieces played by the Master. Parkening plays with a similar timbre, simlar dynamics and with a musicality just as deep as Segovia's. IF you like classical guitar you should own this one.

Wonderful, relaxing music.......2001-01-27

This cd will spend much time on my player. It is so lively, yet comforting music to listen to.

Parkening provides wonderful tribute to Segovia with Spanish compositions especially loved by the master, even some of them performed on one his Segovia's guitars.

Tracks:

Three Pieces For Lute: Allemande
Three Pieces For Lute: Sarabande
Three Pieces For Lute: Gigue
Three Pieces From Violin Partita No. 1: Sarabande
Three Pieces From Violin Partita No. 1: Bourie
Three Pieces From Violin Partita No. 1: Double
Suite No. 3 (For Solo Cello): Prelude
Suite No. 3 (For Solo Cello): Allemande
Suite No. 3 (For Solo Cello): Courante
Suite No. 3 (For Solo Cello): Sarabande
Suite No. 3 (For Solo Cello): Bourie I - Bourie II
Suite No. 3 (For Solo Cello): Gigue
Prelude For Lute - Bach
Violin Sonata No. 1: Siciliano
Violin Partita No. 3: Gavotte En Rondeau
Violin Partita No. 2: Chaconne

Amazon.com essential recording

This collection of Baroque music consists of works by a composer that Segovia ceaselessly promoted throughout his career: J.S. Bach. As his compatriot Pablo Casals's performances of the Bach cello suites added so much to the great composer's reputation, Segovia's performances of Bach's lute suites and other works greatly enhanced the public's perception of the Leipzig master as the most "universal" of composers. His playing imbues Bach's music with a very special warmth and humanity. This disc is one of the most important and rewarding in the Segovia discography. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

I can't get enough of this CD.......2002-02-23

Andres Segovia, for my money, is the finest virtuoso guitarist who ever lived. Jimi Hendrix comes in at a close second because of his craftsmanship and highly innovative style. But there was something about Segovia that separated him from everyone else, regardless of genre.

The last review (from Mickey) reminded me there are more important elements to a musician than his or her technical skills. The "warmth and spirituality," as astutely noted by Mickey, are the seminal elements that make Segovia's playing so special. He brought Bach's compositions to life, and his interpretation of them here is compelling.

My music collection graces almost the entire gamut of music genres, from opera and classical guitar to hardcore and death metal. I'm proud to have Segovia's music in my collection. This is mandatory listening for anyone who cherishes quality music, especially those who are partial towards virtuoso guitar. I love it!

Segovia Is THE Master.......2001-07-12

Perhaps some of today's best classical guitarists have surpassed Segovia's pure technical ability, but the warmth and spirituality that Segovia brings to his playing will forever remain unsurpassed. In this particular CD, Segovia(he was very much a Bach specialist) brings not only life but an almost spiritual warmth to these Bach pieces, originally for lute, cello, and violin. Segovia shows why he is the greatest of all classical guitarists, one of the greatest musicians of the century and one of the few truly great interpreters of Bach(along with fellow spaniard and cellist Pablo Casals, pianists Glenn Gould and Rosalyn Tureck, and violinist Rachel Podger). Get this if you love guitar, get this if you love music, and get this if you love Bach. This album truly has some of the greatest interpretations of Bach pieces on record.

Bravo!.......2001-05-07

Segovia's a genius! Being a violinist, I haven't been moved by any guitar renditions of violin works. Segovia's recording is an exception. His interpretation of the Bach Chaconne is as captivating as any violin recordings. It's masterful.

The Soul of Bach.......2001-03-15

Anyone who was enchanted by Yo Yo Ma's recent video compilation of Bach's cello suites and who has an ear for guitar will also find something special here. Segovia brings a reverence and timelesness to these works, all of them ineffable masterpieces. While recording techniques and outright virtuosity have continued to develop since these recordings (Williams in the Lute Suites, Bream/Barrueco in the Chaconne, Sollscher/Galbraith and others in the Cello Suites) the sense of discovery and sheer love of beauty shine through as strongly as ever. These recordings will be around for a long time to come, but jump right in and be enchanted by as accurate and unwavering an account of these works as you ever thought possible.

That's it.......2000-08-12

Segovia loves guitar. He DOES loves it. All this can be heard in this cd, the whole Bach work, half of them adapted for guitar by segovia himself. And you will find that only a true artist can play and sing like this, confident, self-contained, even smiling in his own world . There is needless to judge such a performance. This is true excellent music.

Average customer rating:

Editorial review
Great Track Selection but Not So Great Sound!
ALL SEGOVIA IS GREAT
Nice but Noisy
Exceptional guitar work

The Legendary Segovia
Andres Segovia , Johann Sebastian Bach , Fernando Sor , Joaquin Turina , Manuel Ponce , Enrique Granados , Isaac Albeniz , Robert de Visee , and Felix Mendelssohn
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000I3VA
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks:

Cello Suite in G major BWV 1007: Prelude
Partita No.3 in E BWV 1006: Gavotte & Rondo
Prelude in C minor for Lute BWV 999
Theme varie, Op.9
Menuet
Gigue
Vivo e energico
String Quartet No1 in E-flat maj, Op12: Canzonetta
Serenata
Suite Espanola - No.1: Granada
Suite Espanola - No.3: Sevilla
Danza Espanola No.10 in G major, Op.37
Fandanguillo
Suite Castellan: Fandanguillo
Sonatina In A Major: Allegretto
Preludio
Nocturno
Petite Valse
Suite In A Major: Prelude: Allemande
Suite In A Major: Gavotte
Suite In A Major: Sarabande
Suite In A Major: Gigue
Recuredos de la Alhambra

Amazon.com

The Segovia heard in these recordings, made between 1927 and 1939, is quite different from the somewhat enfeebled legend who toured and recorded through his 80s. The flashing virtuosity and color of the best of these 78s compares better with the virtuosic standards of the '90s. Just hearing Tárrega's familiar Recuerdos de la Alhambra in this 1927 recording is enough to convince you that you're listening to one of the great guitar virtuosos of all time. It's unclear why Segovia's often-sentimentalized Bach became so famous, and the transcriptions that lead off this disc are quite unstylish by our contemporary standards. But once you get past those and the following Baroque items, which take up only a few minutes, you're into the romantic and 20th-century repertoire that Segovia played so brilliantly. The amazing transfers make the recordings sound much more recent than they actually are. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Editorial review.......2007-02-23

I don't agree with Leslie Gerber's editorial review of this disc, Segovia's playing of Bach is beautiful and he infuses this music which is so easy to play in a sterile fashion with great attention to the melodic line, contrapuntal texture and form, skills which are often sadly lacking in todays performances of Bach. Leslie Gerber blindly follows the politically correct mood of the day which is to deny that there is any romance in this music, truly great performers don't just play the dots they bring something special of their own to the music, a point completely missed by Leslie Gerber and other critics and commentators of her kind.

.

Great Track Selection but Not So Great Sound!.......2006-05-21

This is a good sampling of the great master's earlier works and I suppose given the age of the recordings, it's inevitable that the sound quality would suffer. It doesn't help when this album is recorded in Mono from an ADD master source as well. What this means is that the sound quality is very poor indeed. Given the state-of-the-art sound engineering technology that is out there these days, I hope EMI decides to revisit the vaults and dig up the best preserved master tapes and remaster these in stereo and clean up as much of the sound as is possible for re-release. That would be the only way to do justice to the memory of this all-time guitar great. They've already done this with Django Reinhardt's early work and so it's about time they got around to updating and remastering the Segovia catalog. I, for one, will be waiting for the day with great anticipation...

ALL SEGOVIA IS GREAT.......2005-07-12

Gotta have that slow spanish guitar when things get hectic. Spanish guitar by Segovia (not the more frenetic flamingoists which is another mood) and other slow subtle spanish greats fits a special mood. I usually mix it with nature music, oud, sitar, and Anouar Brahem (all).

Nice but Noisy.......2004-01-21

As a casual fan I was surprised by the noise
on the track. You might choose to hear
the noise as a pleasing retro background. This
CD is probably great for Segovia experts, but
if you're looking for nice background music
just be aware it will sound like the old vinyl
it was remastered from.

Exceptional guitar work.......2002-10-17

Segovia makes his brilliance shine on this compilation. You can't deny the musicianship in these early recordings that, if you are familiar with any of his later sessions, were never left behind. Buy it, you'll love it. I'm sure you'll be scouring for more Segovia to grace you cd player.

Average customer rating:

Outstanding music and great value!!
Excellent
Very Highly Recommended

Guitarra española

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bach J.S.: Works For Lute [Germany]
Romance D'Amour
Tárrega: Recuerdos De La Alhambra; Lágrima; Danza mora; Etc. [Germany]
Malagueña: Spanish Guitar Music
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra

ASIN: B0000B09Z5
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding music and great value!!.......2006-04-02

Narciso Yepes is my favorite classical guitarist. I was delighted to hear a couple guitar concertos I had never heard before. Ohana, Bacarisse, and Ruiz-Pipo were great discoveries. Again, Yepes is the BEST. Strongly recommended.

Excellent.......2005-08-22

The late Narciso Yepes is perhaps my favorite guitarist- Spanish or otherwse. With each of his recordings there is the sense of a madman, master, and poet at one with his instrument. I recently purchased "Guitarra espagnola" and have found endless enjoyment listening critically and as background while I work. This is the perfect "not background music" background music to play when you have guests. You and your guests will find yourself withdrawing from lively conversations to enjoy a poignant, sweet, or sinister moment with the music. This is a compilation of recordings from the past 20 to 30 years. The compositions span from the 17th to 20th century. The quality of the recordings is very good but at times varied. The availability of the compilation is very limited. Get it while you can! I also recommend Alirio Diaz and John Williams.

Very Highly Recommended.......2004-05-08

I cannot recommend this retrospective of just a small amount of Yepes's work highly enough.

No matter what popular and lay opinions may be about Williams, Bream, Segovia, and others, the greatest classical guitarist of the 20th century was Narciso Yepes. It is a pity and a shame that the fear of the older generation of guitarists and their associates made Yepes a marginal figure.

He was a consummate technician and a knowledgeable interpreter of all musical idioms from the Middle Ages through to the height of the 20th Century avant-garde. His playing was characterized by intelligence, sensibility, clarity, power, majesty, poetry, and a devilish ability to separate and sustain contrapuntal lines.

In this box of 5 CDs you will find the definitive performance of Rodrigo's now famous "Aranjuez" concerto, which, incidentally, was first recorded and made famous by Yepes. There are also 2 CDs with rare concertos by Salvador Bacarisse, Antonio Ruiz-Pipo, and Maurice Ohana.

The other 3 CD's contain generally the best performances of the canon of solo guitar works that you are likely to find. The composers include Sanz, Mudarra, Narvaez, Soler, Sor, Albeniz, Granados, Tarrega, De Falla, Turina, Bacarisse, Rodrigo, Llobet, Pujol, Moreno Torroba, Montsalvatge, Ohana, and Ruiz-Pipo.

Every guitarist and every lover of the instrument should own this set. If it is not available, also refer to a similar box set with the ASIN number B00006L6RN or another B000026ZRL.

Average customer rating:

A beautiful, relaxing album.

Miniatures for Guitar

Manufacturer: Moston Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Passport to Serenity
Miniatures for Guitar
Highlights
Classically Yours
Baroque Favorites

ASIN: B00004U0ZV
Release Date: 2000-05-31

Tracks:

Spanish Romance- Anonymous
Adelita- F. Tarrega
Cajita de Musica- F. Tarrega
Lagrima- F. Tarrega
Andante- F. Tarrega
Lento- F. Tarrega
Pavana- F. Tarrega
Estudio in E- F. Tarrega
El Noy de la Mare- Catalan Folk Melody
Andantino- M. Carcassi
Estudio #17/Estudio #7- D. Aguado
Andante & Estudio #2- F. Sor
Prelude & Gigue- R. Visee
Kemp's Jig- Traditional
Saltarello- V. Galilei
Gavotte- L. Roncalli
Pavana- L. Milan
Little Suite- de Logy
Greensleeves- Traditional

Customer Reviews:

A beautiful, relaxing album........2001-06-14

I found this album on a vinyl LP many years ago when I was learning to play the Classical Guitar. Many of these 'classic guitar' tunes are helpful to learner and intermediate level players, and much of Liona's artistic playing can be adapted by the student player. This album provides relaxing, beautifuly played music that can be enjoyed over and over, both by musicians and non-musicians. A great buy, and recommended with Liona Boyd's "Miniatures" Classical Guitar music book.

Average customer rating:

Manufacturer Mishap
Sublimely Sumptuous Segovia
Eavesdropping on a master
nevermind claptain, segovia is god

Guitar Etudes

Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

The Segovia Collection, Volume 9: The Romantic Guitar
Segovia Collection (Vol. 1): The Legendary Andres Segovia in an All-Bach Program
Sor: Complete Guitar Music, Vol. 10
David Tanenbaum: Estudios - Carcassi, Sor & Brouwer
The Segovia Collection, Vol. 3: My Favorite Works

ASIN: B000002PH0
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Eight Lessons for Guitar (D. Aguado)
Studies for the Guitar (F. Sor)
Study (Segovia)
Studies for Guitar (M. Giuliani)
Studies (N. Coste)
Studies (Sor)
Study in the Form of a Minuet (F. Tarrega)

Amazon.com essential recording

Subtitled "Guitar Études," this entertaining collection consists entirely of "exercises" ranging from the simple to the most fantastically virtuosic. Like Chopin's "études," however, the term itself does not mean that the music is in any way sterile or academic, and even if it were, Segovia could make it sound like the greatest stuff in the world. His special brand of virtuosity never loses sight of the music's poetry or humanity. Although less well-known than much other Spanish guitar music, this is one of Segovia's very finest recordings. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Manufacturer Mishap.......2001-03-21

Excellent recording by the absolute finest virtuoso. One problem: CD lists 37 tracks, however you cannot access them individually. The CD is broken down into 7 tracks and you may have to wait, rather than just go to, the track of your choice. Very annoying.

Sublimely Sumptuous Segovia.......2001-02-03

Andres Segovia had the capacity to turn the most elemental of teaching pieces into lyrical sonatas. He does that admirably with the compositions collected on this CD. It is not necessary to use a lot of words to describe the beauty of these recordings. One listen to the music is sufficient.

Eavesdropping on a master.......2000-06-07

If you play the classical guitar you should not be without this disc. It offers great performances of several miniature masterpieces from the repetoire. If you have progressed beyond the absolute beginner stage you will be able to play some of the pieces by Sor and Aguado.

Segovia is always sensitive, never pompous, extremely revealing and always at the service of the music.

The recording quality varies and sensitive hi-fi's will reproduce the engine noise of fishing boats on one of the tracks. But who cares? This disc is an endless pleasure and immensly instructive.

One of the great classical guitar recordings.

nevermind claptain, segovia is god.......1999-10-03

segovia proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that he will always be the standard by which other guitarists are judged.

More of the Most Relaxing Guitar Music in the Universe

Average customer rating:

I rate this a perfect 10 **********

More of the Most Relaxing Guitar Music in the Universe

Manufacturer: Savoy Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000AQ69OU
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Introduction Et Variation Sur L'Air 'Que Ne Suis-Je FougereI' Op.26 - Sor
Cinq Preludes Pour Guitare No.4 - Villa-Lobos
Variations Sur Un Theme De Django Reinhardt - Brouwer
Die Post - Schubert
Cinq Preludes Pour Guitare No.2 - Villa-Lobos
Cancion Del Emperador - Narvaez
Pavanas - Sanz
Quartet No.7 III. Adagio Cantabile Sostenuto For Violin, Viola, Cello & Gutar - Paganini
Studio In A Major, Op.6 No.12 Andante - Sor
Lagrima - Tarrega
Granada, Op.47 No.1 - Albeniz
Danza - Moreno-Torroba
Baden Jazz Suite 'Hommage A Baden Powell' III. Berceuse - Jirmal
When The Fire Burns Low - Towner
A Song Of Early Spring - Arr. Takemitsu

Tracks:

Danza Espanola - Granados
Douze Etudes Pour Guitare No.8 Modere - Villa-Lobos
Reverie, Op.53 No.1 Andante Sostenuto - Coste
Lecon In E Major, Op.31 No.23 Mouvment De Priere Religieuse - Sor
Cinq PreludesPour Guitare No.1 - Villa-Lobos
Andante Extrait De La Fantasie Symphonique De L'Auteur, Op.38 - Coste
Nocturno - Moreno-Torroba
7 Diferenias Sobre 'Guardame Las Vacas' - Narvaez
Cinq Preludes Pour Guitare No.5 - Villa-Lobos
Quartet No.1 In A Minor II. Andantino For Violin, Cello & Guitar - Paganini
El Testmento D' Amelia - Folksong Of Catalan/Arr. Lobet
Terzetto In D Major 1. Allegro For Violin, Cell & Guitar - Paganini
Valse In E Major - Sor
Cinq Preludes Pour Guitare Ne.3 - Villa-Lobos
Londonderry Air - Arr. Takemitsu

Customer Reviews:

I rate this a perfect 10 **********.......2006-02-25

A Classical guitarist and collector of the genre, I can only rave about this cd. I purchased several of these cd's for my close friends and family. The two Paganini pieces are awsome.
Hopefully, Denon will produce more of the same. This time they supply the names of their artists. Well Done! Bravo!

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Music Review

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