Customer Reviews

Christopher Parkening Celebrates Segovia

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have listened to the many masters of the guitar. Still none has been as true, faithful and still awe aspiring as Christopher! He has filled his teachers shoes. Andres would be proud. The Album is full of gems. The software video is a must as well! Thank you Christopher.

It's new so the quality is superb. Also, each song leads to the next: this is a well put together collection. And finally, Parkening - what hasn't already been said - the phrasing is simply unbelievable in every song... sheer perfection of performance, and also the FEEL is better than I have ever heard on any CD... truly a Segovia celebration.

The expectations of guitar enthusiasts will be surpassed with Christopher Parkening's lyrical performances on "Celebrates Sergovia". The recordings resonate with the passion of the late master. Leyenda, Chaconne from Violn Partita No. 2, and other previously recorded works deserve another listen. The virtuoso exceeds his past superior guitar artistry.

Parkening's album is a must! He is one of the most musical players of his time, with an excellent balance of beauty and technique. Christopher Parkening plays like the moon.

Christopher Parkening has recorded one other CD in memory of his former teacher, the late Andres Segovia. It was a true masterpiece. This CD tops it. In here we see not a grieving student but an accomplished musician who has brought even more of himself into the pieces than would have been thought originally. My particular favorite is Leyenda. Highest possible recommendations!!!

I love the exotic character of Spanish guitar with its blending of Middle Eastern and Western motives into a musical fabric uniquely its own. There is a sense of peaceful gardens in private places, of quiet leasurely ambiance beneath shady trees on smoldering days, of a less frenetic place and time. Parkening's virtuosity gives one this sense of escape with an absolute elegance.

Parkening remains one of the few classical guitarists that I enjoy listening to. Unfortunately, I have not had the joy and opportunity to see him perform live, so my impression of his artistry is relegated to recordings only. This particular recording is superb, sublime, and sweetly performed. The emotion and intensity that Parkening embodies in his playing is noted in every nuance and expression as he plays, from pianissimo to forte'. Although I am not familiar with all of the pieces on this CD, I enjoy hearing them repeatedly. It would be quite interesting to put Parkening's recordings of these pieces alongside Segovia's, to compare and contrast the Teacher with the Student to see how they differ, if at all.

I would recommend this as CD as a must-have for those who like Parkening's works, but I would not recommend it for the average classical guitar enthusiast, as I think there are probably better recordings of these pieces (certainly those of Segovia's).

Peace Out.

Parkening remains one of the few classical guitarists that I enjoy listening to. Unfortunately, I have not had the joy and opportunity to see him perform live, so my impression of his artistry is relegated to recordings only.

This particular recording is superb, sublime, and sweetly performed. The emotion and intensity that Parkening embodies in his playing is noted in every nuance and expression as he plays, from pianissimo to forte'. Although I am not familiar with all of the pieces on this CD, I enjoy hearing them repeatedly. It would be quite interesting to put Parkening's recordings of these pieces alongside Segovia's, to compare and contrast the Teacher with the Student to see how they differ, if at all.

I would recommend this as CD as a must-have for those who like Parkening's works, but I would not recommend it for the average classical guitar enthusiast, as I think there are probably better recordings of these pieces (certainly those of Segovia's).

Peace Out.

I have had the good fortune of attending a Parkening concert in Denver, CO. a few years ago and I found his guitar virtuosity almost unequalled. I have also heard John Williams and the Romeros. Parkening however is ranked right at the top along with John Williams.

I don't understand why Parkening is hailed as such a brilliant artist and musician after people listen to this album, or any of his other recordings for that matter. The only reason that people admire him is because Chris has done a fantastic job of marketing himself to the degree that the public actually believes it. After hearing him play live last year, I concluded that he is one of the most insensitive, unmusical classical guitar players around today. His recordings may seem well done, yet hearing him live paints the true picture. If you love classical guitar, listen to the likes of Antigoni Goni, David Russell, Margarita Escarpa, and Roland Dyens.