de Falla: El Amor Brujo; 7 Canciones Populares Españolas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Falla's El Amor Brujo, or Love the Magician, is a 1915 work that virtually made Falla's reputation. Along with Albéniz and Granados, Falla drew heavily on nationalistic sources for his music, promoting the rich tapestries of Spanish folk roots. El Amor Brujo exists in two versions--a stage version for speakers and dancers, and a purely orchestral version. This disc is of the original 1915 version, but with a larger orchestra and extended lines of narration. This is an excellent recording and will come as a surprise to those who know only the latter version. --Paul Cook

Tracks:

Albeniz: Asturias
Albeniz: Tango
Sanz: Canarios
Rodrigo: Fandango
Torroba: Nocturno
Segreras - El Colibri
Albeniz: Sonata in D
De Falla: The Corregidor's Dance
De Falla: Fisherman's Song
De Falla: The Miller's Dance
Torroba: Madronos
La Nit de Nadal
El Noy de la Mare
Granados: Ma Maja de Goya
Abeniz: Cordoba
Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5
El Testamen de Amelia
Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 4 in E Minor
Albeniz: Sevilla
De Falla: Homanaje
Mudarra: Fantasia
Turina: Fandanguillo

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Introduction to Spanish Classical Guitar Music.......2005-09-18

As a sampler, this CD is an excellent introduction both to Spanish classical guitar music and to guitarist John Williams.
The music ranges from Renaissance composers (Sanz, Mudarra) and harmonized folk melodies to standard 20th Century works (Rodrigo, Torroba etc).

John Williams is excellent throughout. The CD is also cheap, and can be used either just for enjoyment, or further to explore other recordings by Williams, the classical guitar repertoire, or other classical guitarists.

As a marketing ploy, it is very effective.

For the collector or classical guitar enthusiast, the chief disadvantages of the CD are duplication of other recordings, and that the way at least some of the works on this CD are listed isn't helpful in telling the listener the set(s) to which these pieces belong and how to find them (e.g. "from ______, Op # "). The font listing the titles and track numbers is small and somewhat hard to read.

However, this CD should attract many listeners and enthusiasts both to the classical guitar, the repertoire, and guitarist John Williams - and I'm all for that.

Over 70 minutes playing time.

Recommended.

The guitar is an orchestra in miniature!.......2005-02-05

This admirable concept belongs to Hector Berlioz and it must not be a surprise the best guitarrists in the story have in common this trademark.

John Williams has always known the delicate equilibrium between the expresiveness and the glamouer. His impresive technique however is not exposed as his prima edonna. He goes directly to the soul of the composer, melts in his spirit and let the music sharp the qith eloquent conviction the composer's demanded atmosphere.

From Granados to Albeniz, from Rodrigo to Agustin Barrios - El indio Mangore -, from Moreno Torroba to Ponce , you will find the warmth, the passion and the Midas touch of this golden guitarrist.

GUITAR MAJESTY.......2004-12-21

John Williams is a true Guitar virtuoso. His repetoire is very extensive and I use his music in my office while I work at my daily office duties. This album is a must for all guitar enthusiasts old or young.

Sweet, sweet music, an essential addition to your collection.......2004-12-07

I originally bought this album three years ago, looking for a good introduction to Spanish guitar music. And this one fits that need perfectly. I still listen to and enjoy it today. I play this for guests at happy hour or dinner for a relaxed atmosphere. At Amazon's current price, this is a great value.

A True Classic.......2004-01-26

This album/cd is extraordinary. All the songs are gorgeous and exciting to listen to. John Williams' interpretation and technique are perfect. After 22 years of listening to it, I still enjoy and appreciate it more every time. I love giving it as a gift.

Average customer rating:

Brilliant in many ways
classical gems
Nobody Does It Better
Good CD
A cultural treasure

Spanish Guitar Music

Manufacturer: Sony
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

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces

ASIN: B00000277B
Release Date: 1991-04-05

Tracks:

Asturias
Tango
Canarios
Fandango
Nocturno
El Colibri
Sonata In D
The Corregidor's Dance
Fisherman's Song
The Miller's Dance
Mondronos
La Nit de Nadal
El Noy de la Mare
La Maja de Goya
Cordoba
Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Spanish Dance No. 5
El Testamen de Amelia
Prelude No. 4 In E Minor
Sevilla
Homanaje
Fantasia
Fandanguillo, Op. 36

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant in many ways.......2005-10-04

'The guitar is a genuinely Spanish instrument,' writes Uwe Kraemer, and it (along with the classical music for it) is one of the great gifts of Spanish culture to the world. The period of composition for guitar in Spanish culture began in the 1500s, and has never really faded. Guitarist John Williams (not to be confused with the composer of the Star Wars themes) is a master of this instrument, and has selected a repertoire of pieces spanning all four centuries of the instrument.

This is a solo album - all of the pieces here are arranged for single guitar. Some of the music is distinctively Spanish, while others bear a Catalan and Portuguese influence. Few of the composers on this album are well-known names in the Northern-European culture, but in the Latin culture, these are names that are known, and the music even more so.

From the earliest century of guitar music, composers such as Gaspar Sanz and Alonso Mudarra show the origins of this kind of work, which includes dissonances that occasionally sound like modern composition. There are pieces with lively spirit and power, inspiring dance in a more popular mode.

Mateo Albeniz has only one surviving composition; a church organist in the late eighteenth/early nineteenth century, he was influenced by Scarlatti and wrote for the harpischord - Williams has transcribed the piece for guitar here.

From the nineteenth to early twentieth centuries, many composers were productive: Isaac Albeniz, Julio Sagreras, Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados, Francisco Tarrega, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Joaquin Turina. Some like de Falla were very influenced by traditional Spanish stories and musical themes, whereas others like Granados drew inspiration from the broader aspects of European musical tradition. Villa-Lobos shows the transportation of Spanish music into the new world, becoming a noted name in Brazilian music (which, ironically, is the only major South American country without Spanish as its primary language).

Joaquin Rodrigo and Frederico Moreno Torroba represent composers in this grand style up to the present day.

John Williams' playing is technically sound and has flashes of emotional power and inspiration. Many pieces here are wonderful, but 'The Miller's Dance', the 'Fandango' and the Villa-Lobos 'Prelude No. 4 in E minor' stand out as the greatest of tracks here, being nothing short of brilliant.

classical gems.......2003-07-09

A treat for the solo guitar enthusiast, this is a sparkling collection of Spanish classics, full of drama and passion, played to perfection by John Williams. His technique is dazzling, with a purity and clarity even in the fast and fiery parts, and never a squishy note to be heard.
The music takes us back to the mid 16th century with Alonso Mudarra's "Fantasia", which is short and charming, as well as another early composer, Gaspar Sanz (1640-1710), with his "Canarios", up to many 20th century masters like de Falla, Torroba, and the only non-Spaniard represented, the Brazilian Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Favorites include Albeniz' "Cordoba", which has a marvelous "rasqueado", and the familiar but exciting "The Miller's Dance" by de Falla, but every track is impressive on this CD, as well as entertaining, something solo guitar music occasionally fails to be.

Having been reared by a mother who loved her guitar almost as much as her children, I have heard these pieces played often and by many great artists, but never better, or more enjoyably. This is a compilation that consists of previously released material, some from the 70's and 80's; the sound throughout is excellent, and the total time 73:46.

Nobody Does It Better.......2001-11-24

I regard the recording of "Leyenda" on this CD the best. All other recordings are weak, especially during the buildup of the arpeggio and the strummed chords. Williams is the only guitarist I've heard (including Segovia) to give this dramatic masterpiece the dose of power it deserves--from the bright arpeggio to the whipsaw chordal strums. Other great performances on this CD are "Canarios," "Sonata in D," "Madronos," "Cordoba," and "Recuerdos de la Alhambra." To give an indication of just how powerful Williams' playing is, I've heard Christopher Parkening's and David Brandon's duo (which I highly regard) performance of "The Miller's Dance," and found it lacking the dynamism and excitement of Williams' solo performance. A few of the other compositions on this CD don't appeal to me much; otherwise, I'd rate this CD higher.

Good CD.......2001-10-15

Nice round choice of pieces, well performed. Naturally there are favorites, but overall, a lovely work.

A cultural treasure.......2001-10-09

While converting CDs to MP3s recently, I rediscovered this 1990 CD. I've always loved Williams' lively performances of "Canarios" and "Fantasia", but was struck, one week before the terrorist war began, by the gentle, sad beauty of "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" [Keepsakes of the Alhambra palace]. Tarrega's composition, an inspired work of genius, could serve to restore hopes of peace to the world.

Average customer rating:

Spanish Guitar Favorites

Manufacturer: Sony
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

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Albéniz: Echoes of Spain
Spanish Guitar Music
Spanish Guitar Favorites
Spirit of the Guitar: Music of the Americas
Ultimate Guitar Collection

ASIN: B0000026P8
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Spanish Guitar Favorites: Spanish Dance No. 5
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Homenaje
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Sevilla
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Recuerdos De La Alhambra
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Fandanguillo
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Soleares (No. 2 From Hommage T Rrega)
Spanish Guitar Favorites: RaFaga
Spanish Guitar Favorites: El Testamen De Amelia
Spanish Guitar Favorites: El Colibri
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Asturias
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Tango
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Fandango
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Valses Po Ticos
Spanish Guitar Favorites: Sonata In D
Spanish Guitar Favorites: The Three-cornered Hat: Danse Du Corregidor
Spanish Guitar Favorites: The Three-cornered Hat: Fisherman's Song
Spanish Guitar Favorites: The Three-cornered Hat: The Miller's Dance
Spanish Guitar Favorites: La Nit De Nadal (Trad. Catalan)
Spanish Guitar Favorites: El Noy De La Mare (Trad. Catalan)
Spanish Guitar Favorites: La Maja De Goya
Spanish Guitar Favorites: C Rdoba

Ninon Vallin sings Canciones, Lieder and Peruvian Folk Songs

Average customer rating:

Ninon Vallin sings Canciones, Lieder and Peruvian Folk Songs

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Al Amor Brujo: En la Cueva - Cancion del amor dolido
Al Amor Brujo: Escena - Cancion del Fuego fatuo
Al Amor Brujo: Danza de Juego de Amor
Jota
Canciones populares espanolas: Seguidilla murciana
Canciones populares espanolas: Nana
Canciones populares espanolas: Jota
Tonada de la nina perdida
Canto andaluz
Granadina
Montanesa
El jilguerillo con pico de oro
Malaguena
Polo
Melodies populaires indiennes: Wasi - Wasinta (Abancay)
Melodies populaires indiennes: Saucecito, Palma verde (Conchucos)
Melodies populaires indiennes: Harawi (Huanuco - Instrumental Only)
Melodies populaires indiennes: Zas! (Cuzco - Instrumental Only)
Melodies populaires indiennes: Ama pisko mikunikicu (Cuzco)
Melodies populaires indiennes: Tapucito l'ata (Conchucos)
Melodies populaires indiennes: Mariposacay, ninacay (Central Peru)
Melodies populaires indiennes: Aa, Sumak (Central Peru)
Melodies populaires indiennes: De aquel cerro verde (Huanuco)
L'Amour er la vie d'une femme: Ai-je fait un reve
L'Amour er la vie d'une femme: Noble esprit, noble pensee
L'Amour er la vie d'une femme: Mon coeur, tu fremis
L'Amour er la vie d'une femme: Ah! viens calmer, ma fievre
L'Amour er la vie d'une femme: L'aube rayonne
L'Amour er la vie d'une femme: Tu veux lire dans mes yeux
L'Amour er la vie d'une femme: Clos ta paupiere
L'Amour er la vie d'une femme: O pleurs amers
Au loin
Serebade
Reve crepusculaire

de Falla: El Amor Brujo; 7 Canciones Populares Españolas

Average customer rating:

A different way of hearing a masterpiece

de Falla: El Amor Brujo; 7 Canciones Populares Españolas

Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000034SZ
Release Date: 1993-08-31

Tracks:

El Amor Brujo: Cuadro primero: Introduccion y Escena
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro primero: Cancion del amor dolido
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro primero: Sortilegio
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro primero: Danza del fin del dia
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro primero: Escena (El amor vulgar)
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro primero: Romance del pescador
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro primero: Intermedio
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro sequndo: Introduccion (El Fuego fatuo)
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro sequndo: Escena (El terror)
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro sequndo: Danza del Fuego fatuo
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro sequndo: Interludio (Alucinaciones)
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro sequndo: Cancion del Fuego fatuo
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro sequndo: Conjuro para reconquistar el amor perdido
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro sequndo: Escena (El amor popular)
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro sequndo: Danza y Cancion de la bruja fingida
El Amor Brujo: Cuadro sequndo: Final (Las campanas del amanecer)
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: El pano moruno
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Seguidilla murciana
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Asturiana
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Jota
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Nana
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Cancion
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Polo

Amazon.com

Falla's El Amor Brujo, or Love the Magician, is a 1915 work that virtually made Falla's reputation. Along with Albéniz and Granados, Falla drew heavily on nationalistic sources for his music, promoting the rich tapestries of Spanish folk roots. El Amor Brujo exists in two versions--a stage version for speakers and dancers, and a purely orchestral version. This disc is of the original 1915 version, but with a larger orchestra and extended lines of narration. This is an excellent recording and will come as a surprise to those who know only the latter version. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

A different way of hearing a masterpiece.......2006-02-12

I've known the "revised" version of El Amor Brujo since childhood; it's a favorite. But about 30 years ago I became aware that it was not the original version. I couldn't believe this music was originally conceived for such small forces (the original scoring is for flute, oboe, trumpet, horn, bells, piano, and strings). I was interested in finding the score and possibly presenting it, but was unable to locate parts at the time.

Almost 20 years later I found this recording, which states "original version 1915" on the cover. It certainly sounds like a larger ensemble than the scoring would suggest (the score is available through Chester Novello).

Initially I was quite disappointed in this, since the original is not a ballet at all, but a zarzuela, with quite a bit of spoken dialogue. The Spanish is an Andalusian dialect, and may possibly be too idiomatic for some who know Spanish to follow. And the inability to see the important stage action may make it impossible to identify the characters. I cannot say, since I am not at all fluent in the language, and consequently thought the dialogue quite a distraction.

But lately I have become quite fond of this recording. As mentioned, the orchestral sound is quite stunning, and there is quite a bit here that de Falla later excised. The order of the movements is completely different, and some titles have been switched as well. The plot is rather different as well; instead of a jealous ghost, we have a story of an unfathful lover.

I feel that becoming familiar with this version has only increased my appreciation for the work. I am not sure I agree with the assertion in the notes that this "does not attain the artistic heights of the revised version." It would have been nice for this to have been filmed, since the action is an integral part of the work. (One thinks of Carlos Saura's film version, which is an expansion of the later revision.) I think the revised version was simply the result of an effort to make this work comprehensible to an international audience.

The disc also offers the "Seven Popular Spanish Songs" in an intriguing arrangement by Luciano Berio (!). At first I was none too pleased with the soloist, Alicia Nafe -- but again, time has altered this opinion, and I now feel her idiomatic approach suits this music quite well, since the material is "popular" rather than "operatic." It's also interesting that the obvious relation of the Jota here to the one that concludes "The Three-Cornered Hat" is unmentioned in the liner notes.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Three for One Box Set [Box set] [Import]

Piano Concertos 20 & 24

Musick for Severall Friends

Like Someone in Love [Original recording remastered]

Pure R&B [Import]

Sadeness, Pt. 1 [EP]

Music of France [Import]

Rivers and Tides: Working With Time [Soundtrack]

Love Sweat [Import]

Piotr Anderszewski - Beethoven: Diabelli Variations

Long Time No See: Memorial Live at the Chicken Gorge [Import]

Por Ese Amor

Me Recordaras

The Legend of Bagger Vance: Music from the Motion Picture (2000 Film)

Out of Range