David Russell Plays Baroque Music

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Classical guitar wonder David Russell follows up his strong disc featuring the music of Mauro Giuliani with this fresh set of Baroque transcriptions. Thanks to Russell's impeccable technique and lyrical playing, you might even forget that these are transcriptions at all. Russell's interpretation of Jean Baptiste Loeillet's Suite No. 1 in G minor is impressive for its depth--these six dances range from jaunty (Corente) to graceful (Sarabanda), but the guitarist never falters. On Vivaldi's cello sonata, Russell grippingly conveys the composer's dark, meditative side during the Largo movements. But performing nine of Scarlatti's numerous harpsichord sonatas, Russell really gets to shine; these pieces seem tailor-made for the guitarist's agile fingers and understated style. Russell isn't the flashiest classical guitarist you'll hear, but his thoughtful and solid performances on this disc speak for themselves. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

I. Allemande
II. Corente
III. Sarabanda
IV. Aria
V. Minuet
VI. Giga
I. Largo
II. Allegro
III. Largo II
IV. Allegro II
I. Larghetto
II. Allegro
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro
Sonata In D Major, K. 490
Sonata In D Major, K. 491
Sonata In C Major, K. 501
Sonata In C Major, K. 308
Sonata In C Major, K. 309
Sonata In G Major, K. 390
Sonata In G Major, K. 391
Sonata In F Minor, K. 238
Sonata In F Minor, K. 239

Amazon.com

Classical guitar wonder David Russell follows up his strong disc featuring the music of Mauro Giuliani with this fresh set of Baroque transcriptions. Thanks to Russell's impeccable technique and lyrical playing, you might even forget that these are transcriptions at all. Russell's interpretation of Jean Baptiste Loeillet's Suite No. 1 in G minor is impressive for its depth--these six dances range from jaunty (Corente) to graceful (Sarabanda), but the guitarist never falters. On Vivaldi's cello sonata, Russell grippingly conveys the composer's dark, meditative side during the Largo movements. But performing nine of Scarlatti's numerous harpsichord sonatas, Russell really gets to shine; these pieces seem tailor-made for the guitarist's agile fingers and understated style. Russell isn't the flashiest classical guitarist you'll hear, but his thoughtful and solid performances on this disc speak for themselves. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Thankfully not another "Best of the Baroque" recording.......2007-04-22

David Russell proves successful in these transcriptions to guitar, creating a dynamic forward progression and seamless legato that mirrors what the harpsichord would otherwise have acheived in the original. This is most impressive in the Scarlatti pieces, especially the vivacious and fascinating Sonata in D major (K.491) where Russell's sense of the whole and creative textures make it a most enticing result. His silky smooth, cross-string lead ins here create a bit of an illusion of a keyboard action. The G minor Suite of Loeillet is a refreshing less familiar piece that is hard to imagine growing weary of - unlike the Vivaldi Sonata which is, well ... another Vivaldi piece ... although with playing like Russell's, everything seems to shine regardless. Vividly recorded with a marvelous, full-bodied guitar acoutic that is hard to fault, this CD rises above the often mundane sea of classical guitar recordings of Baroque favorites. The highlight is certainly the Scarlatti transcriptions, especially the famous D major sonata. Compositions - 5 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Recording - 5 stars (Telarc's 20-bit digital master).

Pleasant.......2003-10-31

This is a very pleasant recording. It features pieces that you don't see as frequently recorded as they should be. Russell is especially nice on the Loeillet suite. If you're into Baroque music this is a nice CD to pick. Russell does this music justice. Good stuff.

Beautiful Baroque.......2002-07-12

While I don't care much for Russell's Latin and Spanish guitar performances, I do think he beautifully performs the Baroque pieces here and Bach transcriptions on other recordings. He's especially good at playing counterpoint and weaving different voices together. The tonal quality is pleasant also.

very good stuff.......2001-06-01

I like David Russel alot. His interpretations really bring music to life with gorgeous texture and perceptive phrasing. His choice of instruments are usually excellent as well. This is good stuff here. I feel obligated to voice two criticisms, though. First, I don't think the Dammann guitar on this disc has pretty trebles. They are kind of nasal. The guitar(s) he used for his Barrios and Tarrega CD's are superior recording instruments and have simply better tone--really beautiful, indeed perfect! Second, I find the Scarlatti interpretations don't quite measure up to those of Stephan Schmidt, who plays with a passion and clarity like I have never heard before. I can't see anyone being disappointed with Stephan Schmidt's Scarlatti recording. Never heard better. Gorgeous guitar as well. (I think both guitarists prefer cedar guitars over spruce).

Fantastic, lively transcriptions!.......2001-02-26

Baroque guitar cd's have a tendency to sound alike; all very stately and undertoned but without much punch or counterpoint to keep things interesting. This is NOT one of them! Russell's transcriptions sparkle and delight. The Loeillet piece that begins the program has some great counterpoint as a result of being previously for keyboard and ranks up there with some of Bach's compositions. The rest of the pieces are more of the same excellence, with Russell's cross-string trills and virtuosity making themselves apparent everywhere. It must also be noted the guitar he plays, a Dammann, has a wonderful tone and presence and, to my ears, similiar to a Smallman, especially in some of the strong, bassy chords. Though the composers are famous, the music is not standard repertoire (apart from a few of the Scarlatti) and so makes a sort of "new music" cd of Baroque tunes. Fans of his highly regarded Baroque cd on GHA will be greatly pleased by this one.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Essentials [Import]

Roe: Family Tree, music for children

Lollipops For Piano Duet

Essence

New Chapter [Import]

Near Dark: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Soundtrack] [Import]

Living Hungarian Folk Music

MDFMK

Muttered Promises From An Ageless Pond

Michelangeli Plays Grieg & Debussy

Just Us [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Mejor Musica Del Paraguay [Import]

Las 32 Mas Grandes de Luis y Julian [Original recording remastered]

Vaughan Williams, Delius: Piano Concertos; Finzi: Eclouge

Red Letter Day