Rodrigo Piano Works

1. Piezas (5) del siglo XVI, for piano Diferencias Sobre El "Canto Del Cabvallero" Antonio De Cabezón
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

2. Piezas (5) del siglo XVI, for piano Pavana: Luis de Milán
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

3. Piezas (5) del siglo XVI, for piano Pavana: Luis de Milán
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

4. Piezas (5) del siglo XVI, for piano Pavana: Enríquez de Valderrábano
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

5. Piezas (5) del siglo XVI, for piano Fantasía Que Contrahace La Harpa De Ludovico Alonso Mudarra
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

6. Evocaciones (3), for piano Tarde En El parque
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

7. Evocaciones (3), for piano Noche En El Guadalquivir
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

8. Evocaciones (3), for piano Mañana En Triana
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

9. Pieces (4) for piano Caleseras (Homenaje A Chueca)
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

10. Pieces (4) for piano Fandango Del Ventorillo
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

11. Pieces (4) for piano Plegaria De La Infanta De Castilla
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

12. Pieces (4) for piano Danza Valenciana
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

13. Berceuse de primavera, for piano
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

14. Berceuse de otoño, for piano Berceuse d'Automne
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

15. Estampas (4) andaluzas, for piano El Vendedor De Chanquetes
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

16. Estampas (4) andaluzas, for piano Crepúsculo Sobre El Guadalquivir
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

17. Estampas (4) andaluzas, for piano Seguidillas Del Diablo
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

18. Estampas (4) andaluzas, for piano Barquitos De Cádiz
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

19. À 'ombre de Torre Bermeja, for piano ("Homenaje a Ricardo Viñes")
Composed by Joaquin Rodrigo
with Artur Pizarro

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:

Like a rainy day in a good bookstore
Not "Ultimate", but Wonderful!
Everyone would love this album!
Incredible
One well worth the price of two

Ultimate Guitar Collection

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Julian Bream: The Ultimate Guitar Collection-Volume 2
Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces
300 Years of Guitar Masterpieces
Baroque Guitar
Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar

ASIN: B00000I9M1
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

Allegro Giusto
Largo
Allegro
Packington's Pound
Greensleeves
Fantasia 'A Fancy'
Canarios
Sonata In D
Leyenda (Asturias)
The Three Cornered Hat: The Millar's Dance
Recuerdos De La Alhambra
Choros No.1
Andantino Espressivo
Poco Animato
En Los Trigales
Allegro Con Spirito
Adagio
Allegro Con Brio

Tracks:

Mallorca, Op. 202 - Albeniz
Cataluna
Granada
Sevilla
Cadiz
Cordoba
Dedicatoria
La Maja De Goya
Danza Espanola No. 4
Valses Poeticos - Granados
Danza Espanola No. 5 - Granados
Fandango
Passacaglia
Zapateado

Customer Reviews:

Like a rainy day in a good bookstore.......2007-07-10

"Always pleasant, never a false cord." That's what I think each time I listen to this collection. I guess I should be listening more closely, but I find the music and the virtuosity with which it is played to be a springboard to other thoughts and activities. I can read with it in the background, write with it or simply drift into thought. And that is really quite enough for me.

Not "Ultimate", but Wonderful!.......2007-03-29

As good a guitarist as Julian Bream is, one must begin by acknowledging that the title of this 2-CD set containing 32 admittedly seminal pieces written for hand-played strings ( primarily, the lute) is a tad hyperbolistic. An "Ultimate" collection of anything would have to be more complete, by definition, than any two CDs can be and, again, it almost goes without saying that no two people are apt to be in total agreement about what should or should not have been included in any such collection. All caveats considered and aside, this is, indeed, a thoughtfully selected and masterfully performed collection of what is, unarguably, some of the very best classical pieces ever written for the lute. Bream plays some of them on the guitar and others on a renaissance lute - the latter giving a somewhat truer indication of the stylings and musical nuances intended by the various composers. But, even the pieces he plays on the guitar - an instrument that, in it's current form, did not exist when many of the pieces were originally composed - are sensitive and lyrical interpretations that sound as if they MIGHT have been composed for the guitar.

Without spending space here reiterating the specific pieces, their titles and lengths, I will simply list the composers whose works Bream presents so nicely in this collection. They span a range of about five centuries beginning in the time of England's Elizabeth I and spanning the years through to the 20th Century's premier Spanish and Brazilian classical guitar composers. The list reads like a `Whose Who" of classical plucked-string instrument music and of composers whose keyboard compositions work particularly well on the strings of a lute or guitar, and includes;
- John Dowland
- Francis Cutting
- Antonio Vivaldi
- Gaspar Sanz (*)
- Mateo Albeniz (*)
- Manuel de Falla
- Enrique Granados (*)
- Hector Villa-Lobos, and
- Joaquin Rodrigo
(*) = Pieces originally written for keyboard play.

Every classical guitarist has his own recognizable style and approach to the instrument and the material. An experience listener would not confuse Bream's work with that of Andres Segovia, for example: but it is not that one is better than the other. Each, in his own distinctive way, is simply superb. Though the Spanish influence is clearly audible with both musicians, Bream's stylings have a more contemporary lilt and inflection than do those of Segovia; he makes each piece his own. One suspects that each time he plays a piece it comes out differently according to the moment, his mood, the instrument and God knows what else. Segovia, on the other hand, was well known for his constancy once he had found a version of each piece that fully suited his own ear and temperament.
While I am admittedly a Segovia fan, I find Bream's renditions to be noticeably fresher and each infused with an aura of presence in the here-and-now which I find especially enjoyable.

The collection is neither complete not `ultimate', but it is VERY good and well worth having in any collection of classical guitar music. In fact, for audiophiles not familiar with this genre, it is a fair place to begin to develop an ear for and a listener's knowledge of and experience with the classical guitar.

I recommend it highly.

Everyone would love this album!.......2007-01-16

This album is fantastic. Easy to listen to and wonderful background music for working or dinner parties

Incredible.......2005-10-24

This is the leading guitar player of his generation at his best.

He is especially amazing in the second CD, with some of the solo guitar transcriptions of Albeniz. His rendition of Rodrigo's three pieces is also sublime.

I can't imagine anybody buying this cd then regretting it.

One well worth the price of two.......2004-09-25

This two cd set is an odd juxtaposition. The first cd consists of a sampler of Bream's career output - but without (and I believe the omission is disgraceful) any acknowledgement of Bream's significant contribution toward the creation of a truly 20th century concert repertoire for guitar. The second cd is a re-release of his superb early 1980's recording of Albeniz and Granados transcriptions with the added bonus of a sublime interpretation of the "Three Spanish Pieces" by J Rodrigo.

Speaking as a musician I find the selections and the production of the first cd problematic. We get a few of the more lightweight examples of renaissance lute and baroque guitar (but no JS Bach and no (solo) baroque lute work); we get no vihuela repertoire and nothing truly representative of classical period composition. We do have all six movements from two contrasting concertos but the remainder of the cd consists mostly of neo-romantic repertoire from the twentieth century. Worse still, the recording quality is highly variable; for example one of the Villa Lobos pieces sounds as though it was recorded in an indoor swimming complex. Given the cd's title more care should have been taken to better represent Bream's career and musical diversity. In the opinion of one familiar with Bream's output this is a disappointing selection. Well played but not representative of the artist nor the art form.

However the opposite is the case with the second cd. These recordings were made at a time when Bream set out to commit to (then) vinyl, via the guitar, the musical heritage of Spain. Bream here was at the height of his interpretive power - and a fine film documentary also resulted from this endeavour.

The inclusion of the Rodrigo set makes this cd a better buy than the original Albeniz and Granados recording, although those who find this compilation rewarding might perhaps profit from researching Bream's catalogue, and adding the complete recording from which the Rodrigo is sourced (circa 1980-90) to their collection.

As for the Albeniz and Granados Bream offers his own transcriptions. These tread a fine line between fidelity to the piano scores and Bream's concept of what works on the guitar. As a general observation Bream seeks to include significantly more of the original score's textures than do many of his peers (e.g. J Williams, P Romero). At the same time he is not averse to significantly modifying the original (e.g. amongst others 'Granada' and 'Cordoba'). Such a process is part of any transcription but here the results are not only excellent but also personal to Bream, as a result we have further confirmation of the craft of a great performing artist.

Every listener will discover their own favourites and I have more than space allows me to relate. I believe that Bream brings more expression to his performances of the Valses Poeticos by Granados than any other guitarist I have heard, and the Passacaglia by Rodrigo is played with such a sense of a brooding menace that my spine tingles every time I listen to it.

The second cd alone is worth twice the compilation's asking price.

Average customer rating:

Nice Mood Setting Music
This CD stays in my car player
Beautiful interpretations
great music! not so great sound variations!
A great, great collection!

Romantic Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Movie Adagios
Evening Adagios
Romantic Adagios 2
Violin Adagios
Cello Adagios

ASIN: B00004C8TG
Release Date: 2000-06-13

Tracks:

Adagio For Strings: Barber: Adagio for Strings
Meditation (Thais): Massenet: Meditation (Thais)
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, op. 18
Gymnopedies 1 and 3: Satie: Gymnopedies 1 and 3
Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K622: Mozart : Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K622
Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia (Spartacus): Khachaturian: Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia
Sonata in C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight': Beethoven : Sonata in C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight'
Kol Nidrei: Bruch: Kol Nidrei
Nimrod (Enigma variations): Elgar: Nimrod (Enigma variations)
Symphony No. 5 In C Sharp Minor: Mahler: Symphony No. 5 in C Sharp Minor

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467: Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467
Andante cantabile (String quartet No. 1): Tchaikovski: Andante cantabile (String quartet No. 1)
Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor: Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor
Symphony No. 9 in E minor ' From the New World': Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 in E minor ' From the New World'
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini: Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Intermezzo (Cavalleria Rusticana): Mascagni: Intermezzo (Cavalleria rusticana)
Clair de Lune: Debussy: Clair de lune
Concierto de Aranjuez: Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio
The Carnival Of The Animals: Saint-Saens: The Swan
Piano Concerto No. 2 In F Major, Op. 102: Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, op. 102 - Andante
Pavane, op 50: Faure: Pavane, op 50

Customer Reviews:

Nice Mood Setting Music.......2007-05-25

This is a very nice cd to listen to and sip red wine in one's back yard while reading a good book. Well worth to add to your collection.

This CD stays in my car player.......2005-07-25

This CD is one that I think even non-classical music lovers would like. It isn't too "classical" and some of the songs are the kind that keep going though your head until you can't help but play the disc again. It is a two disc set and priced no higher than most singles.

Beautiful interpretations.......2004-01-25

I agree with a previous reviewer on the minor problem
of variations in volume. Beyond that, I find every
piece beautiful. This interpretation of Barber's
Adagio is the most passionate I have ever heard. I also
find the Faure selection very touching. I love the
vocals. I recommend this set to anyone, if for no
other reason than the Barber piece.

great music! not so great sound variations!.......2003-07-07

The selections and the arrangements are truly excellent. There are some hard to find (on the same CD) pieces and adagios--Spartacus ; Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez; Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavelleria...
But, better turn up the sound and then get away from the speakers. Parts of the selections are played so very softly that, when you turn up the volume to hear them, you will get blasted by those sections that have cresendos, or just plain louder sections. Too bad!
Very hard to enjoy in a car--or, even at home. if this problem did not exist, this is a 5 star plus!

A great, great collection!.......2001-10-01

I was stunned to see only two and a half stars for romantic adagios. I don't know how much you get to know by listening to only one "song" out of so many in this collection, but in my opinion this CD collection deserves a lot of credit. I had heard of Samuel Barber's Adagio for strings many times before and I was impressed but this was the first time that I was completely mesmerized. I highly recommend to any Barber fans to listen to this interpretation by David Zinman which is incredible. There seems to be so much passion and emotion! Also others such as Adagio of Spartacus and Clarinet Concerto just make the collection even better.

Average customer rating:

The classical heritage

Music of Spain

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rachmaninov: His Complete Recordings
Bach: The Landowska Recordings
Bach: Lute Suites, Trio Sonatas
The Verdi Recordings
Kurt Atterberg: The Symphonies (Box Set)

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.

Average customer rating:

Great Guitars
A good mix
Great music CD collection for guitar music listeners
This is a really good choice for your morning music CD
Great music played by great musicians

Mad About Guitars

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mad about Piano
Mad About Violins
Mad About Baroque
Mad about The Classics
Mad About Bach

ASIN: B000001GKH
Release Date: 1993-07-13

Tracks:

Cavatina
Granada
Spanish Dance No. 5
Romance D'Amour
Fantasia For A Gentleman: Adagio
Fantasia For A Gentleman: Danza de las hachas
Malaguena
La Filla Del Marxant
The Three Cornered Hat: The Miller's Dance
Recuerdos de la Alhambra: Andante
Sonata: Presto
Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio
Concierto de Aranjuez: Allegro gentile
Portrait
Sonata, K. 322: Allegro
Greensleeves
Georgia On My Mind
Fugue In G Minor - Bach

Customer Reviews:

Great Guitars.......2007-03-28

A really spectacular show of top guitarists in famous works
I enjoy it often and it inspires me when I write my columns

Leo Blok
(Journalist from the Netherlands)

A good mix.......2006-11-11

A good collection for someone fairly new to classical guitar. I have over 300 guitar recordings, but I still enjoyed this CD - a good one on the road, for example. Nice pieces and performances.

Great music CD collection for guitar music listeners.......2002-03-15

I really understand that there's no music CD could fulfill our satisfaction of music. But it does. I can find most of my favorite guitar classical songs here, and it's very nice listening them: Cavatina (from the Deer Hunter), Romance D'Amour, Recuerdos de la Alhambra, etc. I have several favorites not included in this album: Capricho Arabe-Lagrima-Adelita, and lucky me I have them on my other CDs. Go get this CD!! By buying this 1 CD, you'll have more than half of classical guitars you've ever wanted!

This is a really good choice for your morning music CD.......2001-11-08

There is something about classical guitar that is just so appropriate to background morning music as "Mad About Guitars" will quickly prove to you. Like most people, I am not overly familiar with classical guitar pieces; once you get past "Granada" I certainly could not name another work that I would expect to hear on such an album. The only other familiar pieces are "Greensleeves" and "Georgia on My Mind," and, yes, now that I think of it "Greensleeves" is a guitar piece, but then this album concludes with Bach's Fugue in G. So this collection is certainly going to broaden your horizons in terms of classical guitar. You will also come away with a great appreciation for Giran Sillscher, who plays the guitar on two-thirds of the selections. In fact, "Portrait," was written for Sillscher by Stanley Myers, which is certainly a nice testimonial to his skill. If you have a CD player in your alarm clock, this is an excellent choice for finding a happy home therein.

Great music played by great musicians.......2000-03-20

I think this CD is the best compilation of classical guitar music that's out there. Deutsche Grammophon has done a great job of picking the best pieces and the best players. Buy this CD!

Average customer rating:

Outstanding music and great value!!
Excellent
Very Highly Recommended

Guitarra española

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bach J.S.: Works For Lute [Germany]
Romance D'Amour
Tárrega: Recuerdos De La Alhambra; Lágrima; Danza mora; Etc. [Germany]
Malagueña: Spanish Guitar Music
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra

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.

The Art of Pepe Romero: Guitar Favorites

Average customer rating:

Maestro Fantastico!
As usual a Romero delivers
Not so good for the car
The Music Evokes Feelings of Joy and Comfort
Great CD!

The Art of Pepe Romero: Guitar Favorites

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Songs My Father Taught Me
The Royal Family of the Spanish Guitar
Flamenco!
Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces
Los Romeros: The Rodrigo Collection

ASIN: B00076YNGO
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Spirito
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Gentile
Etude No.1 In E Minor
Prelude No.2 In E Major
II. Schottisch-Choro
V. Chorinho
Choro No.1
Romance
Fantasy On Themes From Verdi's La Traviata
Variations On A Theme By Handel, Op.107
I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Andantino: Siciliano
III. Polonaise: Allegretto

Tracks:

I. (Allegro Giusto)
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Ya Se Van Los Pastores
II. Por Caminos De Santiago
III. Pequena Sevillana
I. Allegretto Vivace - Allegro - Allegro Molto
II. Andante - Allegretto - Allegro - Allegretto
III. Tangos Y Tientos: Allegretto - Largo - Allegro
Tango No.2
Recuerdos De La Alhambra
I. Allegro Deciso
II. Andante Calmo
III. Allegro Moderato

Customer Reviews:

Maestro Fantastico!.......2007-04-28

Each note is a jewel that he performs with such life that you feel your heart beating to his rhythm. His left hand is amazingly clean but the stregnth and dynamics of his right hand could perform CPR without placing his hand on you. Gracias Dios para Celedonio haciendo Pepe !

As usual a Romero delivers.......2007-03-23

I love this album but then again I love almost everything from the Romeros. I can't wait to see Corazon Espanol up on Amazon though. The sound quality is amazing. I got a copy at one of Pepe's performances and fell in love. I want to send get more of them to send as gifts for my friends and family.

Not so good for the car.......2007-03-17

While on the highway when only the guitar is playing I have to turn up the volume to hear the music. Then suddenly the entire orchestra joins in and the windows rattle from the blast of sound. I could not find a volume level that worked for this disk. The music was lovely but the sound engineering was disappointing.

The Music Evokes Feelings of Joy and Comfort.......2007-01-02

Listening to this album gives me the feeling of being three years old and starting to fall asleep after dinner and my father picking me up and carrying me to bed. I cannot describe how his music envelopes me-- I do not know why but every time I hear it I start to tear up. On this CD he is backed by an orchestra and hearing him play and them back him so perfectly is a delight to the ears. I play this CD for everything-- but I like it when I am lying down after a workout with candles lit and I can just close my eyes and melt into the music. I am not a music person-- I know very little and only know what I like but cannot explain it, but this CD is very, very wonderful. If you like guitar music of the classic genre, you will love this CD.

Great CD!.......2006-08-10

I put it on and press repeat. Very beautiful music and the orchestra is wonderful.

Average customer rating:

Guitar Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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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

Average customer rating:

Best five bucks you'll ever spend on a classical guitar CD
Pleasing but not perfect
Not what I was looking for
Remastered...and Rediscovered
Hauntingly beautiful

Malagueña: Spanish Guitar Music

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Spanish Guitar Music
Tárrega: Recuerdos De La Alhambra; Lágrima; Danza mora; Etc. [Germany]
Romance D'Amour
Sor, Aguado, Tárrega: 19th Century Guitar Favourites
Villa-Lobos: Complete Music for Solo Guitar

ASIN: B00004Z33R
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Tracks:

Malaguena (Transcr: N. Yepes)
Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Marieta: Mazurka
Capricho arabe - Serenata
Tango
En los trigales
Concion y danza No. 1
Inroduction And Variations On A Theme By Mozart, Op. 9
Suite Espanola (Arr: N. Yepes): Espanoletas
Suite Espanola (Arr: N. Yepes): Gallarda y Villano
Suite Espanola (Arr: N. Yepes): Danza de las hachas
Suite Espanola (Arr: N. Yepes): Rujero y Paradetas
Suite Espanola (Arr: N. Yepes): Zarabanda al ayre espanol
Suite Espanola (Arr: N. Yepes): Passacalle
Suite Espanola (Arr: N. Yepes): Folias
Suite Espanola (Arr: N. Yepes): La Minona de Cataluna
Suite Espanola (Arr: N. Yepes): Canarios
Fantasia que contrahaze la harpa en la manera de Ludovico
Sonata In E Major
Suite espanola: 5. Asturias. Leyenda
Danza espanola No. 4: Villanesca (Transcr.: N. Yepes)
El sombrero de tres picos: Danza del molinero. Farruca
Romance (From The Film 'Forbidden Games')

Customer Reviews:

Best five bucks you'll ever spend on a classical guitar CD.......2007-04-06

I can't help but think that because it's five dollars some people have to get snobby about this collection. In my humble opinion the recordings of "Malaguena," "Capricho Arabe," "En Los Trigales," and "Introduction, Theme, & Variations on a Theme From Mozart" are the standard by which all others should be judged. And nobody else can touch his interpretation of Granados' "Villanesca." Except perhaps for Manuel Barrueco, but the way Narciso uses harmonics for the pedal tone is something that feels so natural, you can't listen to a fretted version ever again w/o wishing it was done in harmonics! The rest of the album is typical Narciso. Amazing dynamics and phrasing with flawless technical execution. I don't really believe that anyone else in the history of classical guitar has been able to carry a counterpoint with such defined independence. A true 20th century master. His tone may be a bit on the treble side for "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" but why even play that after Pepe put his mark on it? ;)
This collection is nearly identical to a cassette tape I used to own 20 some odd years ago except that "Rumores de la Caleta" and perhaps one or two others are not included with this compilation.

Pleasing but not perfect.......2007-02-14

This CD is packed with the classics and must hear of classical music. There are some pieces I wouldnt have included and others that I would have, but overall it's in my #3 rotation.

Not what I was looking for .......2007-01-09

I was looking for the "old" guitar version on Malaguena that I have heard several times before. I didn't recognize this version.

Remastered...and Rediscovered.......2006-12-24

There are two CD's available with this exact same program; this one has an "ambient surround imaging" applied to it, which is a pleasant effect on a surround sound system. Yepes' guitar sounds a bit recessed, but the tape hiss that was present on his budget-label LP recordings that I have is virtually gone. The dynamics have also been improved. At this price, it's a great buy, and a nice introduction to the Spanish guitar from a true master.

Hauntingly beautiful.......2001-08-20

Something to listen to when you are on a long flight and missing the new lover you left behind. Just simply beautiful music.......