Customer Reviews

Baroque Guitar

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The fluidity of his playing on this album is amazing. Each note falls in place at exactly the right moment. Besides the well-known J.S. Bach, he also introduces us to several other less-known Baroque composers: Gaspar Sanz, Fernando Sor, S.L. Weiss, & Robert de Visee. Too often, Baroque music is presented as just an exercise in counterpoint. In this album, the rhythm is matched to human emotions in such a way that it's not just an academic exercise. The music is both exhilarating and soothing. I regularly buy this album as gifts for friends. No one has been disappointed yet.

This CD collects performances from the 1960s of baroque pieces of varying degrees of fame. The Gaspar Sanz pieces that start the disc contain material incorporated by Joaquin Rodrigo into his very well-known Concierto de Aranjuez. Bach's Lute Suite in Em is also quite well-known, particularly its marvelous bourree, thanks to Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. The lesser-known pieces on the disc are equally wonderful.

Julian Bream's playing is both impeccable and inspired. His contrasts of timbre energize these performances; at the same time, his tempi, ornaments, and phrasing are entirely faithful to the music. I am a classical guitarist myself, and I learn something about how to play these pieces every time I listen to this CD.

There is considerable background hiss on my copy of this recording. At its price, however, that's not much of a complaint.

I urge everyone with any interest in baroque music in particular, and great musical performances in general to buy this wonderful collection. Mostly recorded in the 1960's I believe, the interpretations are flawless, the guitar sound other-worldly, and the whole package, at an outrageously low price, yet again demonstrates why Julian Bream is a performer and musician without peer. Quietly amazing!

This is truly a great CD! I first hesitated to buy it when I saw a review here by someone that there was hissing in the background; however, I thought at less than 10 bucks, I couldn't go wrong and so I bought it--lo' and behold, I didn't hear any hissing at all! Maybe some people have very sensitive ears, but I really don't know what that reviewer is referring to. I'm glad I went ahead and bought the CD.

I had one "Bach on Guitar" tape cassette by the guitarist Laurindo Almeida--it was through this tape that I fell in love with classical music played on the guitar. I had always thought of the guitar as "folk-" or "rock-" oriented. Well, I realize now just how beautifully the guitar can "reinvent" classical music. I have a whole new appreciation for both classical music and the guitar.

Anyway, I was searching for some more classical music on the guitar when I ran into this CD. It really is wonderful, soothing, and at times, quite upbeat! You can even enjoy it while reading, studying, etc., because there are no lyrics! I wholeheartedly recommend this CD to anyone who loves the guitar, classical music, or both!

I cannot agree more with all the positive reviews of this disc. I am a baroque nut and a huge admirer of classical guitar music, and this disc combines the two in splendid fashion. Julian Bream's playing is astounding, especially on the Sor minuet and also the lesser known pieces (to me) by Weiss. Overall, the selection of music on this compilation is great.

There is a fair amount of background hiss, as can be expected in an analog recording from the 60's, but the musical quality and interpretation Mr Bream lends to the music here would make any amount of background noise worthwhile.

When Julian Bream came to the San Francisco conservatory in the early 1980's he began by addressing the masterclass of eager guitarists by saying "I am not a guitarist. Rather, I am a musician who plays the guitar."

This album demonstrates the high standard of truth of his statement.

Originally released in 1965 by RCA, this recording is one of the finest ever made. Bream was at one of the several heights of his musical mastery.

Of the opening tracks by Gaspar Sanz, both the stately Pavanas and the famous Canarios are models of exquisite phrasing, dynamic rhythmic energy and dramatic character.

J.S. Bach's Prelude in D minor is much superior to Andres Segovia's earlier recording. It is a bit slower in tempo, yet has a fabulous pulse that underlies the arpeggio figurations. The following fugue in A minor is a still miraculous model of contrapuntal clarity, drama, rhythmic drive and sheer exuberance. All the many guitarists of my generation measured their own efforts in relation to this rendition.

Fernando Sor's Fantasie and Minuet are completely captivating in the 19th century style. Bream had an affinity for Sor's music and also the taste to record only the small handful of Sor's opus which stood above the mundane.

Bream's recordings of the lutenist S. L. Weiss works take us back to the baroque. Weiss was a friend of Bach and the Passacaille, Fantasie and Tombeau chosen here remain among the greatest recordings ever made. The transcription is especially tricky since the baroque lute used a very different tuning and had 13 courses. Bream was the first to really make a definitive case for playing Weiss on the guitar, and these renditions demonstrate why.

The Suite in D minor of Robert de Visee is by far the best for the transcription he used. Later Bream revisited the original sources and made better editions for his recordings. (See his re-recording of Sanz's Canarios in his album Guitarra)

Finally, the recording of the Lute Suite in E minor of J.S. Bach was a landmark in 1965. Today there are many recordings to choose from, but for my taste, nothing surpasses the total beauty, passion and realization of this recording.

I thank Mr. Bream everyday for this recording.

Buy this recording ASAP. Many of Breams great recordings are no longer available, so get it while you can.

To me the guitar is one of the most beautiful instruments ever created. This CD compliments the guitar by providing the most beautiful baroque guitar music I ever heard. Everytime I listen to this CD it reminds me of The Prado Museum in Spain or an opulent Italian villa. I also love the fact that there are many songs on the CD. There's 22. So sit back realx and enjoy the music. It's money well spent.

A wonderful CD with the power to thoroughly relax even the most stressed-out people. Easy enough for background playing during dinner or a conversation, and serious enough to be full of magic when listening to it exclusively. Great buy at a great price!

This CD turned out to be more than expected. After searching long and hard for the perfect guitar CD, this is the one! All the songs are played beautifully, and the artist brings out the texture and color in each piece.

This CD provides an air of calm and relaxation for those seeking a break from the rush and calamity of the quotidian. I recommend it highly because of it's cheap price, too!