Customer Reviews

Agustín Barrios: Guitar Music, Vol. 2

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This volume is played with the same mastery of Barrio's as Volume 1 from Naxos. As much as i liked volume 1 this collection is from his later period and contains nothing but masterpieces is even better. While he is famous for the Cathedral each piece on this disc is completey different and moving. I must thank Naxos for releasing these disc because I never would have heard of Barrio's.
According to the notes Barrio's is considered by many to be the best composr of music for guitar.
I would go even further by saying Barrio's belongs in every classical music collection not just people who like guitar music. He is a master and creates powerfully beautiful works.

I purchased this CD as a part of a massive exploration of classical guitar music (I only knew the essentials). I also purchased Brouwer's, Ponce, Garcia, Villa-Lobos, etc. I must say of all, this is my favorite (although I like the other ones too!). Perhaps to some it will be simple, too classical; it is really in line with 19th century composers like Tarrega, Albeniz, etc. and not as contemporary as, say, Brouwer. On the other hand, the technical difficulty of these pieces is up one level from the 19th century ones. If you don't want to buy the whole CD, you may purchase just Contemplacion, it makes me cry (it uses the tremolo, same as the famous Recuerdos de Alhambra by Tarrega, but to even more romantic effect). The guitar playing on this CD is none less than superb also, although modern recording technique can do miracles. There isn't a single metallic sound due to shifting (which my wife can't really stand). This is a superb collection, and I highly recommend also the Vol. 1 (just ordered Vol. 3 and can't comment on it yet). Thanks to Naxos, for putting together all these composers' works. This is really a treat for the guitar music lover.

This is CD so gorgeous that one may wish to listen to it daily! The themes in the compositions are really upbeat in feeling. The guitarist does an absolutely magnificent job of presenting the lightness and depth of the musical compositions that Barrios so masterfully created. There is, at times, almost a Hawaiian sound to some pieces. Music history and ethnomusicology could enlighten the unlikely connection regarding that interesting feature. The guitarist, Enno Voorhorst, has a delicate, yet precise, touch here. It is easy to tell that Mr. Voorhorst is a classical musician and is no surprise to note that he plays chamber music and the viola! I love his presentation of Barrios more than any other guitarist I have heard, including more than John Williams' presentation of Barrios' compositions. I am delighted to find that Enno Voorhorst is a teacher in The Conservatory at The Hague. This CD is a treasure.

This is beautiful guitar music. If you don't know, listen to a bit. You will like it.