Mauro Giuliani Solo Guitar Music performed on 19th Century Guitar

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
David Starobin plays this program on a replica of a guitar built around the time Giuliani was writing the music. The instrument has a quieter, less aggressive sound than a contemporary guitar, though the differences are subtle. He also has selected well from among Giuliani's many guitar pieces, picking only relatively interesting music. Then he does his best to further enliven it with the fine musicianship of his playing, adding color and variety. Giuliani is not my favorite composer, but this recital provides a listenable program. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Grande Ov, Op.61
Agitato, Op.51 #3
Grazioso, Op.51 #14
Andantino, Op.51, #7 (From Lecons Progressives)
Six Variations Sur Un Theme Original, Op.20
Prelude: Allegro Di Fuga, Op.83, #6
Prelude: Allegro Nosso, Op.83, #5
Rondo: Allegretto, Op.14, #1
Rondo: Allegro Spiritoso, Op.14, #5
Le Jasmin Op.46, #4
Le Romarin, Op.46, #5
La Rose, Op.46, #9 (From Choix De Mes Fleurs Cheries Ou Le Bouquet Emblematique)
Minuetto, Op.73, #9
Etude, Op.100, #1
Variazioni Sulla Cavatina Favorita: 'De Calma Oh Ciel', Op.101

Amazon.com

David Starobin plays this program on a replica of a guitar built around the time Giuliani was writing the music. The instrument has a quieter, less aggressive sound than a contemporary guitar, though the differences are subtle. He also has selected well from among Giuliani's many guitar pieces, picking only relatively interesting music. Then he does his best to further enliven it with the fine musicianship of his playing, adding color and variety. Giuliani is not my favorite composer, but this recital provides a listenable program. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Giuliani done right.......2001-10-13

This is my favorite recording of Giuliani's solo music. Giuliani on a delicate 19th c. guitar sounds nothing less than absolutely appropriate. Performance on Viennese guitars, specifically sporting a scant 60-cm scale and <5-cm nut, carries a unique set of challenges (quite different than those of the modern, concert guitar) and Mr. Starobin handles them effortlessly. His choices in phrasing and freedom with tempo lend an air of sprightly authenticity. His handling of the Grande Ouverture, op. 61 is exhilarating and worth the price in itself.

The way it was meant to be..........2000-12-13

The other reviewer must be a guitarist... Always preoccupied with technique and the like... Besides, the issue here isn't a performance (in which all performers have bad days...), but rather the recording! The point of this album is to present the music of Giuliani the way it was; hence the 1800's Stauffer copy guitar. The tone is very different from the standard "Classical" (Which is based on a the Spanish "Torres" guitars...) a bit lighter, not as much bass, a charming clarity. The performance is very well recorded and the music is very charming if you enjoy 1800's late classical/early romantic music. Some people have called Giuliani's music "trite" but, who are we kidding, not all music can be a Mozart or Beethoven, some of it must be a lighter/simpler character that reaches out to people not preoccupied with the most extravagant... Kind of like motorcycles; yeah, Race Replicas that go 160mph are cool, but the bike that you ride everyday and enjoy is much more far reaching and endearing, it grows with you in a way that this music does... I really enjoy this. Good for the real 1800's style and experience played with an impeccable touch!

Music is beautiful.......1999-04-27

Though the music is beautiful. I believe he does not want to play a standard classical guitar because it might be too difficult for him. I saw him play in a recital on 4/25/99 and was very disappointed because of his (Andres Segovia would say A FERVENT INCOMPETENT). Poor left hand technique and RIGHT HAND TECHNIQUE. And the people i took to see him were very disappointed because hi would move from left to right making one dizzy. We could not hear the Guitar because he played a early 1800's guitar.

Wonderful Giuliani performance!.......1999-03-12

Giuliani on the guitar provides the world with a rather interesting spectrum of classical musciality in all it's pomp and splendor. The style takes you back to a Viennese Classical elegance. The sound is refined and Starobin's playing is animated in the most interesting of ways to give the music some real life and substance. The sound is very fine and the disk is highly recommended.

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