Rodrigo: Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre, etc. [Import]

Track Listings

1. Fantasia Para Un Gentihombre

2. Fantasia Para Un Gentihombre

3. Fantasia Para Un Gentihombre

4. Fantasia Para Un Gentihombre

5. Concierto Del Sur

6. Concierto Del Sur

7. Concierto Del Sur

8. Kozert Nr.6 Fur Violoncello Und Orchester D-Dur

9. Kozert Nr.6 Fur Violoncello Und Orchester D-Dur

10. Kozert Nr.6 Fur Violoncello Und Orchester D-Dur

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Part of "Originals" Series.

Tracks:

Concierto de Aranjuez: Allegro con spirito
Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio
Concierto de Aranjuez: Allegro gentile
Fantasia para un gentilhombre: Villano y Ricercare
Fantasia para un gentilhombre: Espanoleta y Fanfare de la caballeria de Napoles
Fantasia para un gentilhombre: Danza de la hachas
Fantasia para un gentilhombre: Canarios
Canconeta
Invocation et danse: Moderato
Invocation et danse: Allegro moderato: Polo
Trois petites pieces: Ya se van los pastores
Trois petites pieces: Por caminos de Santiago
Trois petites pieces: Pequena sevillana

Amazon.com

Rodrigo's two "greatest hits," these works for guitar and orchestra made a convenient and frequent LP coupling, but they are a skimpy CD program. One recommendable feature of this CD is the inclusion of two lovely works for solo guitar along with an equally lovely piece for violin and orchestra. Rodrigo deserves to be more than a two-hit wonder, and bravo to Philips for exposing a little more of his music like this. Still, the performances of the "hits" are our major concern here. Pepe Romero plays with complete command of the music, and in the affecting slow movement of the "Concierto" (composed, as we learned only after his death, to mourn the loss of a child who died at birth), he plays his heart out. Marriner and the not so small orchestra give outstandingly crisp and sensitive support, and the recording manages the difficult feat of balancing guitar and orchestra so that the solo instrument remains audible without sounding artificially boosted. There are many fine versions of the concertos on CD, including one by Pepe's brother Angel, several by John Williams, and one by Manuel Barrueco with Placido Domingo conducting. But this Philips disc is as good as any and does have the advantage of the extra music. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Concierto de Aranjuez.......2007-01-22

This is an old favorite I am delighted to have refound. The music is uplifting and Rodrigo does a wonderful job as usual. Very exciting music.

Do not buy it.......2006-10-12

Horrible composition, make-no-sense musical arrangement, lack of harmony, sectional, not "together". Buy another Concierto de Aranjuez, not this one.

The music will take you away! .......2006-03-10

Try this for a break from bland music. Play in your car while driving to work. The last few minutes of track 2 while bring joy to your heart and tears to your eyes!

tremendous recordings of some favorites and some less well-known works.......2005-11-04

What a recording. For years I liked both the efforts of Williams/Ormandy (live performance) and Parkening with the RPO. But this is my favorite recording now, hands down. The sonics are top-notch as compared with those two ADD selections, and there is more less well-known Rodrigo that is equally lovely. Romero's interpretations just seem more passionate, which seems necessary for these works, in particular the slow movement of the Concierto de Aranjuez.
Recommended.

A magical Classical Ambience.......2005-02-15

I must admit I used to be a classical fan but in the last few years my music tastes have changed into the alternative rock genre. However on a whim this album stood out due to the title and the cover design. I was delightfully suprised when I played the CD for the first time. Simply magical the entire CD is. Concierto de Aranjuez under the direction of Jacek Kaspszyk and conducted by Carlos Bonell created a gentle and yet firm sounding piece of work. Each track flows onto the next and each track has its own brilliance.
Close your eyes when you listen to this CD and allow yourself to be taken on a journey, for the music, the instruments and the ebb and flow of the music take one on a journey down to the essence of the soul, mind and heart.
All I can say is this is a must for any fan of Spanish Classical ambience theme music.

The Best of Andrés Segovia: The Millennium Collection

Average customer rating:

Can't be beat!
Excellent Segovia Disc for Beginners!!!
Virtuoso!
Maybe not "The Best of," but VERY good!

The Best of Andrés Segovia: The Millennium Collection

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00068CVGM
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Customer Reviews:

Can't be beat!.......2007-04-07

No classical guitar fan should be without this Segovia cd. Though I have these pieces on other Segovia cd's to have these beautiful pieces on one cd is great. Some of my favorite numbers which I myself play are on it and I can listen to these over and over again to improve my own performance.

Excellent Segovia Disc for Beginners!!!.......2006-08-07

Although I had been familiar with Andres Segovia for pretty much all my life, I never really heard or owned anything by the great Spanish guitar legend until I purchased this - "The Millenium Collection".
After listening to this CD only once, I've come to realize why Segovia is such an innovative legend. Every track on this CD whether it be Bach, Albinez or Rodrigo is performed with great passion and fire. The notes literally cascade from Segovia's fingers as if they were made of paper.
This CD comes as highly recommended for guitar fanatics. Whether you're into rock, jazz or classical, there is plenty of amazing virtouosity heard on this disc that will amaze you.
Segovia's influence can be heard in the playing of anyone from his contemporaries Julian Bream and John Williams to rock legends Eric Clapton and Steve Hackett.
Here, you get to hear the master at work and I must say, it is awesome!!!

Virtuoso!.......2006-04-27

Yes no doubt, he can play.
Very good reasonable price compilation. On the other hand his production is so wide, so it is difficult/impossible to collect one perfect compilation.
Good start to Segovia.
Booklet is good enough.

Maybe not "The Best of," but VERY good!.......2004-12-27

I'll be completely honest, I only have one Andres Segovia album, this one, so I can't say as to how accurate the title of this cd actually is, but i have heard a lot of classical music (and classical guitar), and from this i can draw that this album is great! We all now how great Segovia is, and this album is jam packed with Segovia being, well, great! It starts out with the prelude to the first Bach cello suite. Being both a cellist and a guitarist, its unbelievable hearing the emphasis and phrasing that Segovia uses playing a cello suite on the guitar. It's a great representation of Segovia's innovativeness becaues of one, his phrasing as mentioned, but two, he alters the music to fit his style of playing, and it makes a creative piece of art. The next track is the Bouree from Bach's guitar suite in E minor. Now if you've heard classical guitar, chances are, you've heard this one. It's such a great classic, and Segovia simply makes it all the better. The next track is also a cross over between insturments (from violin), and also Bach, (but most importantly, also Segovia!). Next is a piece for the lute, a rare track, but it's a nice one and Segovia gives it a nice touch. The next track, Recuerdos de la Alhambra, is, in my opinion, the best. It's just such a beatiful piece of music, and the guitar playing will really bring you to tears. The next two are both written by Albeniz. The color of Segovia's tone as well as his technical genious are well represented on these two tracks. Simply unbelievable. The next piece is a fun spanish dance, performed by the greatest classical guitarist ever, from spain! The last few tracks are Segovia with a small orchestra. The piece is 1st class, and its a whole new experience hearing segovia play with other people. There is a lot of energy and fluidity throughout the tracks, and its a great way to show another amazing side to this guitar player. All in all, who knows if it's the best, but Andres Segovia IS the best, and if the music is beatiful, why not? Pick up a copy, you won't be disapointed.

Average customer rating:

Simply Gorgeous !

Adagio: A Windham Hill Collection

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000089YAX
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Tracks:

Air 'On The String' - Philippe Saisse
Ave Maria - Paul McCandless
Arioso - Tracy Silverman
Nocturne - Steve Erquiaga
Sarabande - Paul Schwartz
Intermezzo No.6 - David Benoit
Adagio - Brian Dunning
Adagio - Patrick O'Hearn
Prelude In C-Sharp Minor - Edgar Meyer
Adagio - Richard Schonherz
Adagio For Strings - Philip Aaberg
Largo - Tim Story

Amazon.com

Adagio follows in the rosin-dusted footsteps of The Impressionists, A Different Mozart, and A Different Prelude. As with those releases, it was produced by Dawn Atkinson and features many of the same artists. The results are as varied as the musicians. Violinist Tracy Silverman cuts one of his patented echo-delayed pizzicato violin arrangements of a Bach arioso, while Patrick O'Hearn drapes a somber keyboard shroud around the Adagio from Rodrigo's Fantasy for a Gentleman. Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning find the Celtic air in the Adagio from Handel's Sonata in G, while Philip Aaberg discovers infinity between the notes of Barber's ubiquitous Adagio for Strings. He stretches the melody across his piano in finely drawn lines, subtlety filled out with synthesizer undertones. Subtlety is a casualty on Philipe Saisse's bongos, bells, and synth arrangement of Bach's Air on a G String. It's also sacrificed in a corny confection of Handel's Sarabande by Paul Schwartz. His ham-fisted electronic keyboards would've sounded dated even before Switched-On Bach. But Adagio features plenty of musicians who are willing to surrender themselves to their elegiac themes, including guitarist Steve Erquiaga, Mike Marshall, and Edgar Meyers. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Simply Gorgeous !.......2003-10-05

This is the first Windham Hill compilation I've purchased in a long, long time, and I am thrilled with the music.
The artistry is stunning, the artists bring themselves to the music while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the original piece.
My favorite is Grieg's Nocturne, arranged and performed by Steve Erquiaga. I have been in love with his music from the moment
I heard his CD "Cafe Paradiso" (Imaginary road Records). It is absolutely stunning!
When I saw that he was on "Adagio" I went for it. I'm so happy that I did ...
Other hightlights for me are Philip Aaberg's "Adagio for Strings", Tracy Silverman's "Arioso" ..... they're all beautiful.
Thank You for this wonderful music.

Rodrigo: Complete Concertos for Guitar and Harp

Average customer rating:

Joaquin Rodrigo complete concertos sfor guitar & harp
Marriner and Romeros unbeatable
2'fer bargain
Inroduction to Rodrigo
the best interpretation by the romeros

Rodrigo: Complete Concertos for Guitar and Harp
Joaquin Rodrigo , Antonio de Almeida , Neville Marriner , Barry Davis , Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields , Los Romeros , Angel Romero , Pepe Romero , Catherine Michel , and Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rodrigo: Concerto Madrigal; Concerto Andaluz

ASIN: B00000I94F
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

Concierto de Aranjuez: Allegro con spirito
Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio
Concierto de Aranjuez: Allegro gentile
Concerto andaluz: Tiempo de Bolero
Concerto andaluz: Adagio
Concerto andaluz: Allegretto
Concierto serenata: Estudiantina: Allegro ma non troppo - Andante
Concierto serenata: Intermezzo con aria: Adagio - Allegro moderato
Concierto serenata: Sarao: Allegro deciso
Sones en la Giralda: Lento: Allegro vivace - Tempo di sevillana

Tracks:

Fantasia para un gentilhombre: Villano y Ricercare: Adagietto - Andante moderato
Fantasia para un gentilhombre: Espanoleta y Fanfare de la Caballeria de Napoles: Adagio - Allegretto molto ritmico
Fantasia para un gentilhombre: Danza de las hachas: Allegro con brio
Fantasia para un gentilhombre: Canario. Allegro ma non troppo
Concierto madrigal: Fanfarre. Allegro marziale
Concierto madrigal: Madrigal. Andante nostalgico
Concierto madrigal: Entrada. Allegro vivace
Concierto madrigal: Pastorcito, tu que vienes, pastorcito, tu que vas. Allegro vivace
Concierto madrigal: Girardilla. Presto
Concierto madrigal: Pastoral. Allegro
Concierto madrigal: Fandango
Concierto madrigal: Arieta. Andante nostalgico
Concierto madrigal: Zapateado. Allegro vivace
Concierto madrigal: Caccia a la espanola. Allegro vivace - Andante nostalgico
Concerto para una fiesta: Allegro deciso
Concerto para una fiesta: Andante calmo
Concerto para una fiesta: Allegro moderato

Customer Reviews:

Joaquin Rodrigo complete concertos sfor guitar & harp.......2007-01-22

If you like classical music, enjoy spanish guitar, you will love this. It is lighthearted, uplifting, & joyful to listen to.

Marriner and Romeros unbeatable.......2003-02-11

These are probably the best recordings of the Rodrigo guitar concertos available. There is noticeable analog tape hiss in the background but this is a small price to pay for these excellent, classic recordings. The technical precision of Pepe Romero on the guitar along with the excellent performance of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and the equally good sound engineering is a rare treat. Rodrigo and the Romeros seem meant to go together so this CD set is a must have. It's unfortunate that an equally good recording of the Concierto Serenata is not included. The performance on the harp is disappointing. I am puzzled why Catherine Michel breaks into chords where Rodrigo wrote arpeggios. If this is artistic license it is a poor choice. The sound of the harp often fades behind the sound of the orchestra too. The entire recording seems poorly engineered. The orchestra sounds distant, as if it is poorly mixed or too few microphones were used. In the absence of a better performance, the Concierto Serenata would have best been left off the disc.

2'fer bargain.......2001-11-27

Wow!! Fantastic stuff that is highly recommended for classical music listeners old and new. Hats off to Phillips for collecting these songs by Spanish maestro Rodrigo and presenting them on two discs. Besides the more familiar fare like "Fantasia para un gentilhombre" and "Concierto de Arunjuez," which I never get tired of, there are various other conciertos that are so soothing and extremely relaxing. This is music to park your mind in tranquility bay with, a blissfull audio experience, orchestral nirvana for the classical music neophyte. The "Madrigal Concierto" is especially note worthy, the two guitars and orchestra are magical as they play in unison, elevating the listener to heights unknown and back. There are various performers on this disc and all are outstanding. The performance of Los Romeros on guitars and Catherine Michel plucking her heavenly harp are exceptional and simply perfect to my ears. These are all recordings from the 70's and early 80's but have been digitally remastered for a crystal clear sound. If you like the music of Joaquin Rodrigo you will love this compilation of 155 min+ of his best compositions at an incredibly low price.

Inroduction to Rodrigo.......2001-07-28

I cannot compare these works with others by this composer because this was my first experience of him, but for the information of anyone else who is not familiar with Joaquin Rodrigo, I would describe him as a Spanish Aaron Copland in that they were contemporaries and they both incorporated national folk music into their compositions. It's difficult for me to imagine anyone of any age not enjoying these works.

the best interpretation by the romeros.......2000-08-18

this cd are the best works for guitar by rodrigo, and the best interpretation by the romeros, especially Pepe Romero. His friendship with rodrigo was very important for the interpretation of the concierto de aranjuez and the concierto madrigal with his brother Angel. A great work and i am excited with this cd.

Average customer rating:

Above All Others
The Great Master, of Masters
THIS GORGEOUS GUITAR MUSIC BEGS FOR LISTENING. . .
beautiful selection of the decca segovia
There's Only One Segovia

The Segovia Collection

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2002-06-11

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
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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.

Julian Bream: The Ultimate Guitar Collection-Volume 2

Average customer rating:

Not ultimate- but wonderful, none-the-less
Very Nice Bream Collection
Not what I thought!
Ultimately Satisfying
Spectacular

Julian Bream: The Ultimate Guitar Collection-Volume 2

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004UEH6
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

I: Allegretto
Capricho Arabe
A Fancy
Etude No. 5 In C
I. Allegretto
I. Allegretto
I. Allegro
The Wood So Wild
Adante; Molto Adagio; Adante
Fandango
Segovia, Op. 29
Fantasia XXII
II. Andante
Preludio
II. Andantino Grazioso
Fantasia
Bourree
Gigue
Polonaise, Op.2, No.2
Canario

Customer Reviews:

Not ultimate- but wonderful, none-the-less.......2007-04-14

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.

Very Nice Bream Collection.......2005-03-03

I have volumes one and two, but I prefer volume two because it contains later recordings, which are of a better sound quality than the tin-can reverb that predominates in volume one. I really like the inclusion of about a half dozen lute pieces in addition to the guitar. I wasn't a lute fan before, but after hearing Bream playing lute on this CD, I am a convert. Ditto with what one reviewer said about Sor's Andantino Grazioso--purely delightful.

Overall, this CD consists of a good variety of masterfully played music. I only wish most of Bream's recordings were recorded using later technology, which would make his playing shine even more.

Not what I thought!.......2004-11-08

Well, a bit of a "anti-climax"! I was expecting something totally different. Not at all the kind of guitar music I like but will make out a great unexpected gift (hopefully). The delivery time from order to delivery was excellant, 19days - internationally!

Ultimately Satisfying.......2004-02-03

A wonderful companion to the first set, this edition includes 20 beautifully recorded pieces by one of the master guitarists of the twentieth century. And Bream is at his best in these recordings, showing off his amazing technique, as well as his almost daunting emotional power. An amazing gift to guitarists and music lovers.

Spectacular.......2002-02-11

The brilliance of Breams guitar/lute shines through. If you love any of his work you will love this, I can never get tired of his work.Especially this one. Antantino grazioso is absolutely amazing.

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Fantasía para un gentilhombre

Average customer rating:

A good introduction to a great composer

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Fantasía para un gentilhombre

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Complete Last Concert
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Concierto

ASIN: B0002DD67Y
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

Allegro Con Spirito
Adagio
Allegro Gentile
Fandango
Passacaglia
Zapateado
Invocacion Y Danza (Hommage A Manual De Falla)
En Los Trigales
Villano Y
Ricercare
Espanoleta
Fanfare De La Caballeria De Napoles
Danza De Las Hachas
Canario

Customer Reviews:

A good introduction to a great composer.......2006-11-10

This CD is a good gift choice to introduce a friend to a wonderful composer; the works on it are full of a deliciously evocative Spanish flair and style. I think anyone who enjoys classical music, particularly anyone who likes music with a strong romantic impulse, will like this CD.

Average customer rating:

DON'T GET THIS FROM AMAZON!!!!!
Bounty of Flute's Best From One of Best Flutist
A Masterpiece
The Master of the Flute
lotsa flute

James Galway ~ Meditations
Jules Massenet , George Frideric Handel , Johann Sebastian Bach , Tomaso Albinoni , Giovanni Pergolesi , Baldassare Galuppi , Johann Pachelbel , Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach , Romano Antonio Piacentino , Antonio Vivaldi , Claude Debussy , John [composer] Field , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Franz Schubert , Joaquin Rodrigo , Sergey Rachmaninov , Fryderyk Chopin , Christoph Willibald Gluck , John Georgiadis , James Galway , Jorg Faerber , Claudio Scimone , Claudio Schimone , David Measham , Michael Tilson Thomas , Eduardo Mata , and Charles Gerhardt
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Very Best of James Galway
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Song of Home

ASIN: B000006OP0
Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

Adagio
'Winter' Concerto In F Minor: ll Largo - The Four Seasons
Largo: Xerxes
Flute Concerto In C, BWV 1032: ll Largo E Doice
Pastoral Symphony: Messiah
Flute Concerto In G: ll Adagio
Flute Concerto In D, Op 10 No 3 'll Cardellino': ll Cantabile
Flute Concerto In D: ll Adagio
'Spring' Concerto In E, Op 8 No 1: ll Largo - The Four Seasons
Canon
Flute Concerto In F, Op 10 No 5: ll Largo E Cantabile
Flute Concerto In A, Wq168: ll Largo Con Sordini
Flute Concerto In G: ll Andante
Flute Concerto In G, Wq169: ll Largo
Flute Concerto In G Minor, Op 10 No 2 'La Note': V Largo 'll Sonno'
Flute Concerto In D Minor, Wq 426: ll Un Poco Andante

Tracks:

Meditation - Thais
The Little Shepard
Nocturne No 5 In B Flat
ll Andantino
Serenade, D957
Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre
Prelude A L' Apres-midi d'un Faune
En Bateau
Vocalise
Nocturne In E Flat, Op 9 No 2
Andante In C, K315
Syrinx
Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits

Customer Reviews:

DON'T GET THIS FROM AMAZON!!!!!.......2005-11-04

Ok people. I ordered this from Oct. 13 and NOw it's Nov. 3. I still didnt' get it. They told me it's gonna be delayed until the 14... I'm rating this only a one star not because SIR James Galway isn't a great flutist, but it's Amazon's crappy service and lack of interest.

Bounty of Flute's Best From One of Best Flutist.......2005-02-17

Being married to a flutist allows me to hear some of the greatest works written for this beautiful instrument. Here one of its greatest virtuosos records his favorites from its reportoire.

Gallway performs superb renditions of 29 of his favorites, from Albinoni and Bach to Vivaldi. Much of what he plays most are already familiar with but will enjoy his passionate interpretation even then, e.g. CPE Bach's Flute Concertos and Vivaldi's four seasons selections. The fun comes from hearing other that some might not be that familiar with: Galuppi's Flute Concerto in D or Field's Nocturne in B Flat.

These are all enhanced by Gallway's personal notes on each selection, which is truly a wonderful addition to the liner notes.

This two CD set is truly a wonderful addition to all who love the sweet and flowing tone of flute well played accompanied by excellent orchestration and other instruments. Top shelf!

A Masterpiece.......2003-02-08

I am a college student and I am majoring in music education. My primary instrument is the flute, and my goal is to attain all of the pieces that I have studied. By buying this CD with many different selections has saved me the aggravation of purchasing many different CDs. James Galway is an extremely talented man, and this collection shows off his capabilities with flare. There are selections from all of the major musical periods such as the Baroque and the Classical which makes for a wonderful variety. This CD is worth every penny.

The Master of the Flute.......2001-01-18

James Galway performs miracles on the flute. This is an exquisite CD. Flautist must own this one!! It is a wonderful resource and helpful to young musicians needing some musicality help.

lotsa flute.......2000-09-09

you really have to love flute music to have 2+ hours, I didn't realize it was ALL flute.

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Elogio de la guitarra; Fantasía para un gentilhombre

Average customer rating:

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Elogio de la guitarra; Fantasía para un gentilhombre

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00009KHYE
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Spirito
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Gentile
I. Allegro
II. Andantino
III. Allegro - Piu Allegro
I. Adagietto - Andante Moderato (Millano Y Ricercare)
II. Adagio (Espanoleta E Fanfare De La Caballeria De Napoles)
III. Allegro Con Brio (Danza De Las Hachas)
IV. Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Canario)

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Music Review

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