Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar

Anonymous (Composer), Gabriel Faure (Composer), Andrew York (Composer), Agustin Barrios-Mangore (Composer), Isaac Albeniz (Composer), Erik Satie (Composer), Stanley Myers (Composer), Astor Piazzolla (Composer), Manuel Ponce (Composer), Leo Brouwer (Composer), Antonio Lauro (Composer), Manuel de Falla (Composer), Turlough O'Carolan (Composer), Mikis Theodorakis (Composer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Domenico Scarlatti (Composer), Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Joaquin Rodrigo (Composer), William Goodchild (Conductor), John Williams (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: William Goodchild, John Williams
• Composer: Anonymous, Gabriel Faure, Andrew York, Agustin Barrios-Mangore, Isaac Albeniz, et al.
• Audio CD (May 2, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004T0P4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,264 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #13 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Sonatas > Trio Sonatas
  • #34 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Choruses
  • #36 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > Trios

Track Listings

1. Romance

2. Pavane

3. Sunburst

4. Una Limosna Por el Amor de Dios

5. Asturias

6. Gymnopedie No. 3

7. El Condor Pasa

8. Verano Porteno

9. Scherzino Mexicano

10. Berceuse

11. Natalia

12. Dance from la Vida Breve

13. Planxty Madame Maxwell

14. Epitafios

15. Prelude from Lute Suite

16. Prelude

17. Sonata for keyboard in E major, K. 380 (L. 23) "Cortège"

18. III. Allegro

19. Adagio

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Guitarist John Williams (no, not John Williams the soundtrack composer) adds to his fine catalog of impeccable recordings with Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar. But this isn't just a best-of collection (though some of his greatest work is included here) since the disc contains three new recordings. Among the new tracks, Fauré's Pavane is a real stunner, a short but gorgeous piece originally meant for orchestra and choir, where Williams's guitar sounds as though it always belonged there. We get Williams at his most interpretative--his arrangements of Satie's Gymnopedie No. 3 and Piazzolla tango Verano porteno--and his most serene (the "Cavatina" theme from the movie Deer Hunter). Let's face it, some fine classical guitarists can lull their listeners into near comatose states with their instrument; Williams, on the other hand, is just the opposite. His gorgeous tone, inventive arrangements, and interesting repertoire continue to make the classical guitar sound exciting. In short, a great introduction to Williams and a real gem for lovers of classical guitar. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Mostly" Classic Williams, September 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar (Audio CD)

I hesitated to buy this CD because I have several other Williams CDs with many of the works featured on this one. However, I was too curious about the 3 new recordings. "Romanza", I'm afraid to say is not that interesting, although it's an ideal piece for beginning guitar students. Faure's Pavane and the arrangement of "El Condor Pasa," on the other hand, are fabulous. Williams' performance of Myers' Cavatina completely obliterates the notion that Williams plays with little emotion. Included are several other works that I consider among my favorites such as the exuberant "Sunburst," the passionate "Verano Porteno," the charming "Natalia," and the dreamy "Berceuse" (enough emotion there for ya?). I would have replaced some of the pieces for others that I believe are Williams classics. However, if you don't have a Williams CD and are curious, this CD and the Seville Concert CD would make a great introduction to a truly phenomenal musician.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful interpretations and flawless performance, May 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar (Audio CD)

Many of the tracks here are from previous releases by Williams, but don't let this deter you from purchasing (I nearly did, almost missing a brilliant music programme and really fine performances by the artist). Romance, the first piece, is unusual and stunning; it segues charmingly into the Pavane, so you very nearly have two side-by-side tracks that flow into one another, one fulfilling the promises made in the first. Next, music that is gentle or lively, but always exactly as the title of the CD states -- romantic, so it pulls at the senses at the same time that it evokes all the possibilities of great music. The Cavatina will leave you aching for more. And two of my favorites, in my opinion Williams' best performances, Asturias, and the final track, the Adagio from Concierto de Aranjuez, are lively and tonally perfect. Just as mentioned in the Editorial Review above, Williams' music is gorgeous -- he is able to arouse sounds from his guitar that demonstrate his status as the highest master of his instrument. These are the sort of performances where an artist becomes one with his instrument, in fact, since they flow out from the strings so beautifully, with a perfection and emotion that you rarely hear with other guitarists. If you like guitar at all, or even if you are curious, don't neglect this CD.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The CD that all the people can enjoy, March 9, 2004

By 

taka(Japanese (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar (Audio CD)

In Japan, recently classical guitar is boom, because young Japansese artists emerge. Off course not only Japanese guitarists but also foreign guitarists, is known in Japan. For instance, Andrew York is that. But the most famouse guitarist in foreign gutarists will be A.Segobia and J,Williams. The former is needless to say, about the latter, long ago I was shocked about new style, that is, the combination of electric guitar and classicas guitar. I think that he is top of the classical guitarist, on the other hand a revolutional guitarist that break the established old style.

The music songs included in the CD is variety, that is, in history Baropue, Roman, recently music, in place Spanish, south america etc.
Therefore the CD will be favorite thing for people that don't know about classical guitar.

Off course in the CD, we will be listen to his ultimate skill, in [Nataria}, in spite of the difficult left fingars touch, he play the song in high speed tempo, beautiful sound.

Thank you for reading my poor writing.