Customer Reviews

Duets With Spanish Guitar

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

At the first Grammy Awards in 1959, Salli Terri was nominated for Best Classical Performance, Vocal Soloist, along with Callas, Tebaldi, and Ferrell (Tebaldi won). The album did win the Grammy for Best Engineered Classical Record, a honor richly deserved as evidenced by the glorious sound of this CD.

I think a review in the May, 1958 issue of Hi-Fi & Music Review says it best: "...a prize winner in my collection. Laurindo Almeida's guitar playing captures the keen poignancy and rhythmic elan of Brazilian music with superb assurance and taste. He is joined by an excellent flutist, Martin Ruderman...and a mezzo-soprano whose velvet voice and astonishing flexibility has hardly an equal at present...Salli Terri. She sings Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras No.5 with a sinuousness and ecstasy which make this the finest modern version."

It is no wonder that Villa-Lobos himself called this the best recorded version of his composition...and 45 years after its original release, it stands the test of time. A prize winner, indeed!

I first heard this as an LP in a coffee shop in Monterey, CA, just before proposing to my wife. I gave it to her as a wedding present and we wore it out playing it so much. Now I have finally found it on CD. It is (and always has been) composed of double duets, guitar and soprano and guitar and flute. It is hauntingly beautiful and extraordinarily performed. You will find its themes running through your mind for days after hearing it. This is an all time classic to give to your best lovers and friends.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this album in the Amazon catalog. It is an old friend that has been missing from my life since my vinyl album went by the wayside.

The duets alternate between Almeida and contralto Sally Terry followed by the guitarist with flautist Martin Ruderman.

The repertoire includes some of the most beautiful Spanish melodies you could ever hope to hear. This album is a great way to relieve stress. Although it is a chestnut, Duets With The Spanish Guitar would be at home in any new age music collection.

I cannot recommend it highly enough.

why did not EMI make this a definitive CD release of the 3 classic Laurindo Almeida / Salli Terri LPs? - eg not one of Salli Terri's songs from the second album are included - how disappointing that some of the most beautiful guitar duets ever recorded are no longer available - incomprehensible!

In its LP incarnation, this collection included only the duets of Laurindo Almeida and Salli Terri. To this the CD has added guitar/flute duets with flutist, Martin Ruderman, as well solo guitar work by Almeida.

This is a beautiful CD, containing enjoyable compositions, very well performed. Laurindo Almeida was an excellent performer (and composer) in both the classical and jazz venues. If one is not familiar with his work, making his acquaintance with this CD may cause that acquaintance to ripen into a friendship.

It is very hard for me to be objective when reviewing this CD. I'm in the same situation as one other reviewer said; my father used to play this record frequently when I was growing up. Of course, as a little kid, you will not always make a note of such things, and may not even care about it. I had not listened to this record since the mid eighties (when our last turntable broke and we made the transition to CD's). As soon as I started listening to it I was taken back to that time of my life, and all of these memories which I did not knew I had came back to me. This record had been part of my life's "soundtrack". It would be easy for me to be over-analytical, since I happen to have a degree in music, but I would not dare to do so. The music is pure, absolutely beautiful. Even though back when this album was recorded it won awards for its sound quality, nowadays we have been spoiled with modern sound recording quality, and we can certainly hear this recording was not made recently. However, it is the performances that count, and these will always sound as fresh and magnificent as the day they were first captured on tape. I will have to get a copy for my dad! Update: I did end up buying a copy for my dad and it brought tears to his eyes!

I heard this CD about 3 years ago, I'd never heard of Salli Terri or Laurindo Almeida until then, but I was simply overcome by the clarity and sheer beauty of Salli Terri's voice. I made my friend play the CD every time I paid him visit, and have been on the hunt for a copy of my own since then. Salli died a couple of years ago, but she still, to me, has the most wonderful voice I've ever heard. Coupled with Almeida's artful mastery, this is truly a work of art.

First heard "duets" in November 1965 at my friend Lisa's dinner
party in Washington, D.C. i remember being taken to a place i had
never been before. while listening to this haunting music we were
looking at pictures in a book called "The Family of Man". I have
never tired of listening to this music. The guitar artistry of
Laurindo Almeida is breathtaking. Salli Terri's crystal clear vocals and Martin Ruderman's fluid flute playing are enchantment
personified. "Duets with the Spanish Guitar" is a bona fide masterpiece!!

My father owned a copy of 'Duets' which I nabbed from him when he wasn't looking. However, the chance to own it on CD without the hiss!! overwhelmed one, so I bought it and, whilst I was at it, got the old man a copy as well.

Salli Terri, the vocalist on this album produces an inspirational sound. This album expresses a cross section of different and not very easy to find Brazilian folk songs. Laurendo Almeida produces a beautiful romantic accompaniment.