Joaquin Rodrigo: The Complete Music For Piano

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This two-disc set contains all the piano music by the composer of the famous Concierto de Aranjuez. I can't understand why this music isn't better known. For light-hearted, folk-flavored Spanish entertainment music, Rodrigo is right up there with Albeniz and Granados. While you wouldn't want to play through this whole set at once, nearly everything in it (except for a few simple children's pieces) ranks very high on the entertainment scale. The Cuatro Piezas is almost guaranteed to hook you on the set. Rodrigo himself provided an enthusiastic endorsement of these performances, which I gladly second, and the recorded sound is remarkably fine. --Leslie Gerber

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.

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The classical heritage

Music of Spain

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009U55QA
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Customer Reviews:

The classical heritage .......2006-04-16

The visible embellishment of this noble instrument was enriched still more by the Spanish composers, who following the traces of his contemporaries. In the case of Fernando Sor, Haydn was his musical guide, where as Aguado, could establish himself with major vehemence, due its particular style, based in the notable right-hand articulation, eschewed the classical patterns, being able to print his own music a flamboyant and refined character.

In the particular case of Fernando Sor, we have a wisdom blending of the counterpoint technique, an evocative mood from his own that, added the well known influence of the Italian composers (Domenico Cimarrosa and Giovanni Batista Pergolesi) and his beloved love for the Operatic genre, allowed him to enrich still more the lyrical possibilities of the guitar. Besides, unlike Nicolo Paganini, for instance fortunately did not transform the guitar in a simple device to show his overwhelming gifts. He used the guitar to play music, on the opposite approach of Paganini who used the music as mere device to play his instrument.

In the guitar genre there has not been most deserved and superb tribute to Mozart that this Variations Op. 9 based on a motive of The most famous Mozart ?s Magic Flute. Loaded of such imaginative freshness and enraptured inspiration you may notice that one of the Variations conserves an undeniable Italian flavor; this is one of the most beloved hidden treasures the guitar can offers us, which raise with special charm in the hands of this formidable soloist.

Aguado on the contrary acquired due his personal state of things, a notable adroitness who excelled by far, to Sor, so his musical approaches rode in opposite directions, trying to exploit at maximum levels the technical possibilities of the instrument.

Julian Bream makes a colossal tribute to both composers in this egregious and golden album.

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Isabel's voice is enchanting!
A real diamond!
Amazing amazing stuff
Fascinating Program Beautifully Performed

Isabel Bayrakdarian ~ Azulão
Manuel de Falla , Enrique Granados , Carlos Guastavino , Xavier Montsalvatge , Fernando J. Obradors , Jaime Ovalle , Joaquin Rodrigo , Catalan Traditional , Heitor Villa-Lobos , Isabel Bayrakdarian , and Jamie Parker
Manufacturer: Musica Viva
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Isabel Bayrakdarian ~ Joyous Light
Isabel Bayrakdarian ~ Pauline Viardot-Garcia (Lieder, Chancon, Canzoni, Mazurkas)
Isabel Bayrakdarian ~ Cleopatra
Songs Of Spain / De Los Angeles, et al
Mozart: Arie e Duetti

ASIN: B0000DFZY4
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

El Majo Discreto
El Majo Timido
El Tra La La Y El Punteado
La Maja De Goya
La Maja Y El Ruisenor
Song Of The Birds
La Rosa Y El Sauce
Con Que La Lavare?
Vos me Matasteis
De Donde Venis, Amore?
De Los Alamos Vengo, Madre
El Vito
Al Amor
Corazon, Porque Pasais?
La Mi Sola, Laureola
Del Cabello Mas Sutil
Chiquitita La Novia
El Pano Moruno
Asturiana
Cancion
Nana
Jota
Polo
Cancion De Cuna Para Dormir A Un Negrito
Aria (Cantilena)
Dance/Danse (Martel)
Azulao

Album Description

Following on the enormous success of her first recording for CBC RECORDS - Joyous Light (CBC SMCD 5215) - the stunning young Canadian lyric soprano ISABEL BAYRAKDARIAN turns her attention to the seductive colours and rhythms of Spain and Latin America. The centre piece of this recording is the vocal evergreen, Bachianas Brasileiras # 5 for soprano and eight cellos by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. After winning the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions in 1997, Isabel (who is of Armenian descent) has gone on to make debuts with such international companies as the Metropolitan Opera (New York), Lyric Opera of Chicago, Paris Opera and La Scala (Milan), Semperoper (Dresden) and the Canadian Opera Company (Toronto).

Customer Reviews:

Isabel's voice is enchanting!.......2006-10-12

I had never heard of Isabel Bayrakdarian before. I was looking for a copy of Obradors' "Chiquitita la Novia" and happened to come upon this cd. Am I glad I bought it, in fact, I'm wearing it out. Her voice is like a bright
sunlight. Her interpretations are exquisite. My favorite on the recording is Granados' "La Maja y el Ruisenor".
Brava Isabel!

A real diamond!.......2006-04-13

I heard this voice first time on CBC Radio - from a concert in Toronto. It was magical! Soon after, I had a chance to listen to her in recital and this was an EVENT! Over two thousand people in the concert hall were holding their breath for two hours and it seemed that the hall itself became small and cozy. It was indeed a contact soul to soul.
Isabel has a rare talent that combines beautiful tone, clarity and unbelievable fluidity of her voice, intelligent thinking, good sensitive heart and generous nature. You believe every intonation, every nuance. She is always authentic, always noble and her expressivity is never forced, emotions are never overacted.
This CD captures well her magic voice. And God, she is amazing in pianissimos! That's why to me, the Lullaby by Xavier Montsalvatge with its softness and warmth is the highlight of this recording.

Amazing amazing stuff.......2004-10-07

The only reason I didn't give this disc five stars is because I'm not too crazy about Grandos' "Tonadillas." They aren't bad, but they're an incredibly weak opening group and the piano is a bit bouncy and boppy when compared to the more somber numbers on this disc with the cello ensemble.

I first fell in love with Bayrakdarian's voice on the CD "Joyous Light," a collection of Armenian liturgical music arranged for soprano and orchestra (some of it just solo voice.) This disc intrigued me because of her incredible voice and the somewhat off the beaten path repertoire & instrumentation (soprano, piano & cello ensemble!?!) I was happy to see a young, amazing talent NOT do a disc of Italian or German arias. Her CDs definately seem to explore the lesser known repertoire and that's to be commended, because we get to hear a stellar voice bring some real gems to light. Interesting that soprano's solo disc includes an instrumental piece, but it fits in nicely and is certainly appreciated by this listener.

The first two of the Rodrigo madrigales are arrestingly beautiful. The disc as a whole is sublime. She's definately one to watch. I can't think of another soprano I'd rather hear these days than Bayrakdarian. I'm flying back to my hometown next year to her in concert. It's months & months away and I can't think of another performance anytime soon that I'm looking this forward to.

Fascinating Program Beautifully Performed.......2003-11-21

There's been a lot of buzz lately about a young soprano just emerging up in Canada, a striking-looking young woman still in her twenties, winner of the Met Auditions, who has a burgeoning career in opera and recital. Her name is Isabel Bayrakdarian, member of an Armenian family who immigrated to Canada in 1989. She apparently had a nice untrained voice but didn't begin training professionally until 1993; meanwhile she had gotten a degree in biomedical engineering. But only four years later she won the Met Auditions and a couple of years later recorded a CD of seemingly esoteric Armenian songs that became a runaway best-seller in Canada. She made her Metropolitan début in 2002 in the role of Catherine in William Bolcom's 'A View from the Bridge.' This CD is a recording of a program that had been presented on CBC Radio and featuring pianist James Parker, himself a virtuoso with a solo career, and ten Toronto cellists led by cello soloist and Canadian Symphony principal, Bryan Epperson. And all of it in music by Hispanic composers.

First, the program is well-constructed, alternating vocal/piano music with vocal/cello ensemble music, with cello ensemble music. Timbres are changed often enough that one's ear does not tire. Second, every bit of the program is superbly performed. Pride of place must be given to Miss Bayrakdarian, whose voice is crystalline and yet imbued with a womanly sensuality that well serves the alternately sultry and kittenish Spanish music present here. She sings Granados's delicious 'Four Tonadillas' with the kind of charm that I thought only a native Spaniard could bring to it. She negotiates the agréments and their subtle alterations of intonation so typical of Spanish singing with complete mastery. Late in the program she performs, with the cello ensemble, the ever-popular Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 as well as I've ever heard it. She also inhabits the sung version of Granados's 'La Maja y el Ruiseñor' ('The Maiden and the Nightingale') arranged for the opera he made from his piano suite 'Goyescas.'

The cello group plays Pablo Casals's arrangement of the Catalan Christmas carol, 'El Cant dels Ocells' ('The Song of the Birds'). And they lend a hand in Joaquin Rodrigo's 'Cuatro madrigales amatorios' ('Four Love Madrigals'), with cello ensemble accompaniment arranged (as in others here recorded) by Peter Tiefenbach. I particularly liked the interplay of teasing soprano and sporty cellos in 'Vos me matásteis' ('I die for love of you'), the second of this set, which is then followed by a bang-up performance of the familiar, catchy 'De los álamos vengo, madre' ('I've been down by the poplars, mother').

Fernando Obradors wrote wonderful songs that occasionally get sung by non-Spanish singers--I remember once being entranced by Elly Ameling singing the set recorded here by Bayrakdarian with superb assistance from pianist Parker, 'Canciones clásicas españolas' ('Classic Spanish Songs'). And I must say that at times I hear a hint of Ameling in Bayrakdarian's voice, something I call 'a smile in the voice.' This set is followed by an expert arrangmement, this time by Claude Kenneson, of Manuel de Falla's 'Suite populaire espagnole' that employs the cello ensemble (with some melting solo work by Epperson, their leader) playing three all-instrumental pieces and then accompanying Bayrakdarian in three of the six songs.

The CD is rounded out by Xavier Montsalatge's Lullaby from 'Cinco canciones negras,' the aforementioned Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, and then the song that gives this album its title, Jayme Ovalle's 'Azulão' ('Bluebird'). The latter uses all the forces available here--soprano, pianist, cellists--in a haunting lament: 'Go bluebird, bluebird, companion of mine, go! Go see my faithless love.'

I cannot praise this issue highly enough. Ms Bayradkarian's voice is world-class and she sings with great musicality and feeling. Her accompanists are flawless. The recorded sound is quite good. The unattributed notes are very helpful. There are full translations of all the sung texts.

TT=76:14

Tracks:

Folk Song: Romance
Barros: La Catedral
Albeniz: Mallorca
Tarrega: Recuerdos al Alhambra
Chopin: Waltz in E Minor
Schubert: The Fisherwoman
Sanz: Canarios
Sor: Variations on a Theme of Mozart
Moreno-Torroba: Nocturno
Sor: Introductions and Variations on the "Malbroug" Air
Schubert: Aufenthalt
Moreno-Torroba: Arada
Sor: Fantasie Elegiaque

Tracks:

Rodrigo: Romance de Durandarte
Turina: Sonata, Andante
Yoshimatsu: Atom Hearts Club Duo, Andante
Albeniz: Evocacion from Suite "Iberia"
Schubert: Standchen
Sor: Menuett, Op. 11 No. 4
Abt: Agathe
Mudarra: Fantasia X
Schubert: Lob der Thranen
Coste: Grande Serenade
Mertz: Liebeslied from "Bardenklange"
Turina: Homenaje a Tarrega
Chopin: Nocturne in E Major
Bach: Paritta No. 2, Chaconne

Album Description

Relaxing, romantic music for solo guitar perfect for daydreaming your stress away!

Customer Reviews:

Don't buy it.......2007-02-11

Ok. The guitar players are good. But there is so much extra noise such as heavy breathing, the guitarist moving around etc. in many of the pieces. I am only somewhat being humerous when I say I am suprised you don't hear the guitarist belching or passing gas! It is a very, very irritating recording of good guitarists.

Certainly NOT Relaxing.......2006-08-04

This CD would get an average rating if it was merely titled "The World's greatest guitar music". However, this CD is supposed to be "relaxing". Well, it most certainly is NOT. Some of the pieces literally sound like soundtracks to a movie thriller.

Very misleading title to an otherwise pretty good collection of Spanish guitar ballads. If you are looking for something to relax or sleep to, look elsewhere.

On the mark.......2006-02-25

From the time I first attended a John Williams concert 40 years ago, I have been a collector of Spanish / Classical guitar music. I often play, on a Ramirez, some of the tunes on these two disks. The selections are wonderful examples of the world's greatest guitar music. I actually take naps while listening to these cd's. The guitarists are excellent; I only wish Denon had listed their artists.

NIce Collection!.......2005-11-12

I listen to a lot of classical guitar (and other stringed instrument) music, and I like this collection. It draws on an unusually wide range of guitar compositions, which is a plus, and it's well produced, with good sound and balance - I think it's a better than average collection.

the most annoying guitar cd in the universe.......2005-06-26

makes me want to stick needles into my eyeballs for relief.....i would recommend buying this for a mother-in-law you don't like...otherwise, save your money

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

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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.

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Guitar Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Guitar Greatest Hits

ASIN: B0000DJZ7L
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Sevilla - Eduardo Fernandez
Granada - Andres Segovia
Tango, Op. 165, No. 2 - Pepe Romero
Spanish Dance No. 5, Op. 37 'Andaluza' - Pepe Romero
Asturias - Pepe Romero
Recuerdos De La Alhambra - Eduardo Fernandez
Soleares - Eduardo Fernandez
Malague Pepe Romero
Romance D'Amore - Goran Sollscher
Bouree - Narciso Yepes
Gavotte - Pepe Romero
Canarios - Alexandre Lagoya
Sonata In E Major, K.380 (L23) - Pepe Romero
Cavatina - Goran Sollscher
Largo - Goran Sollscher
Allegro - Pepe Romero
Adagio - Pepe Romero
Villano Y Ricercare (Adagietto - Andante Moderato - Andres Segovia

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Masters of the Guitar

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Masters of the Bow: Cello
Masters of the Bow
Masters of the Voice: Tenor
Masters of the Trumpet

ASIN: B0007CEXO0
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

Allemande - Andreas Segovia
Bouree - Andres Segovia
Canarios - Alexandre Lagoya
Sonata In E Major - Alexandre Lagoya & Ida Presti
Variations On A Theme By Mozart - John Williams
Romanza: Piu Tosto Largo. - Edardo Fernandeaz
Sevilla - Angel Romero
Asturias (Leyenda) - Narciso Yepes
Spanish Dance No. 5, Op. 37 'Andaluza' - Pepe Romero
Recuerdos De La Alhambra - Narciso Yepes
Garrotin - Julian Bream
Soleares - Julian Bream
Preludio. Lento - Goran Sollscher
Andante Solemne - Goran Sollscher
Allegretto - Goran Sollscher
Una Limosna Por El Amor De Dios - Alexander-Sergei Ramierez
Valse Criollo - John Williams
Homenaje 'Le Tombeau De Debussy' - Julian Bream
Cacion De Cuna (Berceuse) - Goran Sollscher
Etude No. 1 For Guitar In E Minor - John Williams
Choro No. 1 - Eduardo Fernandez
Ayer Y Hoy (Guajiras) - Paco Pena

Tracks:

(Allegro Giusto) - Goran Sollscher
Largo - Goran Sollscher
Allegro - Goran Sollscher
Allegro Maestoso - Eduardo Fernandez
Andante Siciliano - Eduardo Fernandez
Alla Polacca - Eduardo Fernandez
Villano Y Ricercare (Adagietto/Andante Moderato) - Andres Seovia
Espanoleta Toques De La Caballeria De Napoles - Andres Seovia
Danza De Las Hachas (Allegro Con Brio) - Andres Seovia
Canario (Allegro Ma Non Troppo) - Andres Seovia
Allegro Con Spirito - Pepe Romero Christine Pendrill
Adagio - Pepe Romero Christine Pendrill
Allegro Gentile - Pepe Romero Christine Pendrill

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez, Fantasia para un gentilhombre (Latin Romances) / Isbin

Average customer rating:

Lyrical and pure classical guitar

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez, Fantasia para un gentilhombre (Latin Romances) / Isbin
Sharon Isbin
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sharon Isbin Plays Baroque Favorites for Guitar
Dreams of a World
Artist Portrait: Sharon Isbin
Greatest Hits
Latin Romances for Guitar

ASIN: B000026CIL
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

Concierto de Aranjuez: I Allegro con sprito
Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio
Concierto de Aranjuez: II Allegro gentile
Fantasia para un gentilhomebre: I Villano y Ricercare
Fantasia para un gentilhomebre: II Espanoleta y Fanfare de la Caballeria de Napoles
Fantasia para un gentilhomebre: III Fanfare de la Caballeria de Napoles
Fantasia para un gentilhomebre: IV Danza de las Hachas
Fantasia para un gentilhomebre: V Canario
A Fantasy for guitar and orchestra: From Afar

Tracks:

Zapateado
Invocacion y Danza
La Catendral: La Catedral: i. Andante religioso
La Catendral: ii. Allegro Solemne
Quejas: (Lament)
Estrada do Sol: (Road to the Sun)
Capricho Arabe
El Decameron Negro: I. La Arpa del Guerrero
II. La Huida de los Amantes por el Valle de los Ecos
iii. Balada de la Doncella Enamorada
Sentimental Melody
Etude No. 8
Mallorca
Asturias

Customer Reviews:

Lyrical and pure classical guitar.......2000-07-02

The classical guitar can struggle against the volume of an orchestra and that fact is evident in this CD. Isbin's masterful skill is often overwhelmed by the orchestra, something that perhaps could have been lessened with better remastering. Nonetheless, if you appreciate classical guitar played by a real talent, this CD is for you. The unaccompanied Latin Romances illustrate Isbin's work at its best, clean and precise with pure tonal production. Her technical mastery as well as her lyricism are often on display. I found the Schwantner composition, written at Isbin's request, somewhat heavy-handed and hard to listen to. The Rodrigo recordings, even allowing for the occasionally overwhelming orchestra, are bright and crisp. Isbin's feeling for Rodrigo's music comes through clearly in these recordings. Despite the somewhat onerous orchestations, I would recommend this CD to anyone who appreciates clear, precise, lyrical classical guitar. There's definitely enough in here to make this a worthwhile purchase. Two CD set. PS: to get the second CD out, open the inner door from the center out! I'm an engineer, and it took me several tries to figure it out (may because I'm an engineer!).

Average customer rating:

On David Burgess.....
Waiting for Another Great CD
great variety, a true virtuoso
Silver (and Gold) Nuggets

Silver Nuggets & Fool's Gold

Manufacturer: Tritone Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Tangos | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00003OP5G
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Samba do Aviao - Antonio Carlos Jobim
Odeon - Ernesto Nazareth
La Catedral - Agustin Barrios
Berimbau - Baden Powell
Parati - Nonato Luiz
Leyenda - Isaac Albiniz
Sonata in D - Mateo Albiniz
Milonga del Angel - Astor Piazzolla
Carora - Antonio Lauro
Seis por Derecho - Antonio Lauro
El Criollito - Raul Borges
Danza del Altiplano - Traditional Bolivian
El Condor Pasa - Traditional Peruvian
Invocation and Dance - Joaqumn Rodrigo
Se Todos Fossem Iguais a Voce - Antonio Carlos Jobim
Drume Negrita - Emilio Grenet
Tango en Skai - Roland Dyens
La Misionera - Fernando Bustamente

Customer Reviews:

On David Burgess............2005-02-20

I bought this CD directly from the artist himself after hearing him perform several of the pieces live. David Burgess is guitarist of extraordinary talent and broad interest. This CD contains beautiful pieces from both South America and Spain that are intricately performed with great depth of emotion. I would recommend this disc for any true music lover.

Waiting for Another Great CD.......2003-05-20

Wherever you are, David Burgess, don't get exhaust yourself concertizing. Get back in the studio and record another excellent CD! Your talent is much too good to let slip away in the ephemeral wind; crystallize it on CD for everyone to hear long after your fine concerts are memories. Yeah, I guess I'm begging you to lay down more brilliant recordings. It can be Latin American, Spanish, Brazilian--anything. Just do it! ...

great variety, a true virtuoso.......2002-01-29

David Burgess is one of those artists that is a total gem to find. He doesn't have a "big name" or a huge recording contract, but when it comes down to what matters (namely playing well) he can totally deliver the goods. Not only is he technically amazing (I've seen him in concert and he honestly didn't hit a single bad note), he plays with an incredible amount of soul. You can tell both on record and live, that he breathes this music and that it truly means the world to him.

Not only is the album a varied (yet consistent and thematic) but he employs a wide range of techniques to achieve his amazing sound: "Samba do Aviao" is breathtaking in terms of speed and beauty, the rhytmic oddities and brilliant use of percussive effects in "Berimbau" is unreal, "La Catedral" is sublime and almost played at a whisper, yet he breathes new life into familiar favorites like Isaac Albeniz's "Leyenda." This is one of the most creative albums of any genre that I've heard, but it is by far the best guitar album I own (and one of the best I've ever heard.) Another thing that makes this album so great is how rare some of this material is, some of these are complete gems and not at all in the standard repertoire.

And if you have the chance...GO SEE HIM IN CONCERT...its even better than the superb album.

Silver (and Gold) Nuggets.......2001-11-20

I bought this CD at one of Burgess' concerts (in Virginia). He plays with much strength, variety of technique, and tonal quality; moreover, he has excellent command of the rhythm required for this mainly Latin American collection. My favorites are the hypnotically delightful "Seis por Derecho" and "La Misionera," which has a driving and catchy rhythm. I find almost every other piece enjoyable except for the over-recorded "Leyenda" and the somewhat ponderous piece by Rodrigo (whom I'm still a big fan of, nonetheless). It would be nice if those two were replaced by a few of the other interesting Brazilian pieces I heard at the concert. Fortunately, I was told that Burgess might put out more Brazilian recordings later in 2002. I'm very much looking forward to hearing them.

Average customer rating:

Something different and enjoyable

Rodrigo: Complete Orchestral Works 4
Joaquin Rodrigo , Daniel Ligorio Ferrandiz , Max Bragado Darman , and Castile & Leon Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Complete Orchestral Works 3
Complete Orchestral Works 2
Rodrigo: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 6
Complete Orchestral Works 1
Rodrigo: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 7

ASIN: B00007FKQK
Release Date: 2003-02-18

Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Allegro Molto Rimico
Largo
Allegro Maestoso
Preludio Para un Poema A La Alhambra
Preludio
Berceuse De Otono
Berceuse De Invierno - Introduccion A La Berceuse De Primavera - Berceuse De Primavera
Berceuse De Verano
Homeanje A La Tempranica
Juglares

Customer Reviews:

Something different and enjoyable.......2006-06-12

I first heard part of the concert on NPR and was able to track down this CD (NPR's site was not a lot of help!!!)

Anyway, there is a lot of variety of sounds in this work, which surprised me and is what caused me to purchase it in the first place. Hard to explain, but very good music.

The recording quality is also excellent and deserves to be played through a good system.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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