Guitarist John Williams

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Music both old and new, but all of it inspired by the timeless modal harmony of medieval and Mediterranean cultures: this is the subject of John Williams's brilliant guitar disc for Sony, which also features his debut as a composer. The main work is his own "Aeolian Suite" for guitar and chamber orchestra, based on both original and 14th-century tunes (one of which, the "Saltarello," appeared on early-music pioneer David Munrow's disc called Instruments of the Middle Ages). The suite is a lovely piece of writing, deftly composed, and neither tacky nor pretentious. It's paired with an inspired assortment of spiritually related but diverse arrangements and original pieces by Satie, Theodorakis, Domeniconi, and an emotionally intense four-movement work called "Stélé," by Australian composer Phillip Houghton. Naturally, Williams performs each piece expertly, but most important, he makes his instrument sing, and that's just what the music demands. Simply super. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Epitafios 3
Epitafios 4
Epitafios 5
Koyunbaba Part 1
Koyunbaba Part 2
Koyunbaba Part 3
Koyunbaba Part 4
Gymnopedie
'Lamento Di Tristan'
'Ductia'
'Saltarello'
Aeolian Suite For Guitar: Aeolian Chant
Aeolian Suite For Guitar: Double Dance
Aeolian Suite For Guitar: Ballad
Aeolian Suite For Guitar: Toccato
Stele: Stele
Stele: Dervish
Stele: Bronze Apollo
Stele: Web
Gnossienne No 1
Gnossienne No 2
Recuerdos De La Alhambra
Mallorca(Barcarola), Op. 202
Catari, Catari

Customer Reviews:

Williams guitar.......2007-01-22

I gave this album to my husband for Christmas because he loves Spanish guitar. He loved the album and has downloaded it to his Ipod. The music is wonderful and John Williams plays beautifully.

Williams Truly Inspires........2005-11-26

Out of my 11 John Williams CDs, this is probably my favorite. The moods he portrays through his guitar leave me daydreaming as he plays. Although many styles and periods are represented (giving the listener a wonderful array of Williams' abilities), tracks 4-7 are so intense and well-done they inspire and provoke new ideas and concepts I've never imagined.

I believe this album is his best work.

Guitar at its very best..........2005-04-08

Let me just say, tracks 4-7 are nearly worn out on my copy
of this CD. Koyunbaba as never played before, John lets it
start in dark shadowy moods, then rise and fall until the
almighty final movement which keeps me on the edge of my
seat. As the final notes ring through, I stare sadly down
at my guitar...

Average customer rating:

John Williams is not the best out there
Unequalled playing
Not as good as other JW CDs.
A masterpiece by the master
The Guitarist John Williams

Guitarist

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | 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
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Grace Like A River - Christopher Parkening

ASIN: B00000C28V
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Epitafios 3
Epitafios 4
Epitafios 5
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Gymnopedie No. 3
'Lemento di Tristan'
'Ductia'
'Saltarello'
I Aeolian Chant
II Double Dance
III Ballad
IV Toccata
I Stele
II Dervish
III Bronze Apollo
IV Web
Gnossienne No. 1
Gnossiene No. 2

Amazon.com

Music both old and new, but all of it inspired by the timeless modal harmony of medieval and Mediterranean cultures: this is the subject of John Williams's brilliant guitar disc for Sony, which also features his debut as a composer. The main work is his own "Aeolian Suite" for guitar and chamber orchestra, based on both original and 14th-century tunes (one of which, the "Saltarello," appeared on early-music pioneer David Munrow's disc called Instruments of the Middle Ages). The suite is a lovely piece of writing, deftly composed, and neither tacky nor pretentious. It's paired with an inspired assortment of spiritually related but diverse arrangements and original pieces by Satie, Theodorakis, Domeniconi, and an emotionally intense four-movement work called "Stélé," by Australian composer Phillip Houghton. Naturally, Williams performs each piece expertly, but most important, he makes his instrument sing, and that's just what the music demands. Simply super. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

John Williams is not the best out there.......2005-11-21

For Koyunbaba specifically, the best recording is the album Libra Sonatine by Yoshiaki Kamata. Although Williams is clear and technically perfect, there is a lack of passion and emotion that other guitarists evoke.

Unequalled playing.......2003-11-02

You may have heard that the classical guitar can be thought of a small piano, but here's an album in which the musical conceptions are more the size of a symphony orchestra. Only John Williams could have carried this music off in this style, aided by excellent backing and superb recorded sound. An exhibition of pure guitar mastery, a very enjoyable CD.

Not as good as other JW CDs........2002-11-28

As a big fan of John Williams I must say that this CD is at the very bottom of other CDs done by him. As far as technicality, John is KING. But the CD has a very "down" effect, almost depressing. The choice of tracks starts great but it collapses shortly after, until Erik Satie's tracks.

A masterpiece by the master.......2002-04-27

The greatest tribute any artist can give to their instrument is to take it beyond where they found it. Mr. Williams has certaintly done this here. My personal favorites are the 'Three Epitafios' by Mikis Theodorakis, named after Pre Easter services in the Greek Orthodox Church. This is certainly a wonderful addition to the classical guitar repertoire by the esteemed Theodorakis. Composer Carlo Domeniconi,s 'Koyumbaba' is in perfect contrast to the Epitafios. With its haunting C sharp minor tuning this suite of pieces has an almost middle eastern oud quality. The 'Aeolian Suite' is Mr. William,s own composition for guitar and Orchestra and proves himself equal to the composers listed on this recording. As with his other recordings he transports the classical guitar to new avenues of technic and substance. Not allowing it to become stagnet or a monument to the Segovia legacy. In addition, the guitar that Greg Smallman made (which is used on this cd) sounds superb. This is another one of Mr. William's excellent performences.

The Guitarist John Williams.......2001-08-20

"The" Guitarist, John Williams. I rated this a 4 star only because I'm not that crazy about the Houghton compositions and the last set of Gymnopedies. But, John Boy, please compose for us another fine guitar work (with or without orchestra)! Aeolian Suite is mighty fine--the more I hear it, the more I like it. I first heard Koyunbaba performed by Christopher Parkening in a concert in 1996, but was I delighted to find out that Williams had recorded this mesmerizing work a few years later. I also really like the Epitafios. But as I said, I hope Williams composes another work for a future recording. By the way, happy 60th birthday, Mr. Williams. We look forward to another decade of fine music from you.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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