Federico Mompou: Suite Compostelana; Canciones y danzas [Import]

Federico Mompou (Artist), Peter Fletcher (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 18, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Centaur
• ASIN: B000068R0P
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,533 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Suite compostelana, for guitar: Preludio

2. Suite compostelana, for guitar: Coral

3. Suite compostelana, for guitar: Cuna

4. Suite compostelana, for guitar: Recitativo

5. Suite compostelana, for guitar: Cancion

6. Suite compostelana, for guitar: Muińeira

7. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 1 (Cancione: Petiteta I'han casada - dansa:La danza de Casteltersol)

8. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 2 (Cancione: Dotze cavallers - danza: Galop de cortesia)

9. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 3 (Cancione: El noi de la mare - danza: Sardana (Original))

10. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 4 (Cancione: A la vora de la mar - danza: Ball del cira)

11. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 5 (Cancione y danza: Original)

12. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 6 (Cancione y danza: Original)

13. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 7 (Cancione: Muntanyes regalades - danza: L'hereu Riera)

14. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 8 (Cancione: El testament d' Amčlia - danza: in probre pagčs)

15. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 9 (Cancione: Rossinyol que vas a França - danza: original)

16. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 10 (Cancion and danza: Cántigas de Alfonso X)6

17. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 11 (Cancione and danza: Tema de la 'Patum' de Berga)

18. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 12 (Cancione: La dama d'Aragó - danza: La mala nova)

19. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 13 (Cancione: Cant dels ocells - danza: Al bon cacador)

20. Cançons i dansas, for piano (Nos. 1-12, 14): No. 14 (Cancione: Quan jo era petitet - danza: original)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Fletcher makes the guitar sing, October 18, 2003

By 

J. Poss "Jeff3948" (Pahrump, Nevada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Federico Mompou: Suite Compostelana; Canciones y danzas (Audio CD)

Usually I only write reviews of CDs when the CD inspires me to do so, either negatively of positively. In this case, I'm happy to say that it was positive inspiration. After listening to this CD I was amazed at the subtleties of expression that Peter Fletcher exudes from his guitar. It's as if the guitar is singing to you. This is what the guitar is all about. No other instrument can sing in such subtleties and it can only truly "sing" in the lap of the best performers. Let me give you an example of what I mean. Listen to the sample of the beginning of the Preludio from the Suite Compostelana performed by Mr. Fletcher. It starts out barely audible and subtly increases in volume then diminishes then increases again; this arching of dynamics is true musical poetry. Listen for the tasteful use of vibrato and color throughout these pieces. It's what makes these this CD so interesting, enjoyable and touching to listen to. (NOTE: Color on the guitar is achieved in several ways, one by plucking the strings closer to the bridge or farther away. Closer to the bridge gives a tinnier sound and farther away gives a warmer rounded sound). Let's compare Peter Fletcher's performance with another young guitarist, Antigoni Goni on Naxos (ASIN: B0000014FB Catalog number 553774 or 8553774). Try sampling Ms. Goni's performance of the Preludio and compare it to Mr. Fletcher's. You'll see that Ms. Goni's does not add the dynamics and color that Mr. Fletcher does. To be honest though, I did like Ms. Goni's slower tempo on the Canción from the Suite Compostelana, but over all Mr. Fletcher takes the prize for me. In fact, I've listened to various pieces of the Suite Compostelana performed by Mr. Segovia, Mr. Parkening, Mr. Tennant, and Mr. Bream as well. All have their strengths and weaknesses. Mr. Fletcher's is the most poetic and musically satisfying performance of all of them. Regarding the rest of the CD, Mompou's 14 Canciónes y Danzas. I was first introduced to these piano pieces in 1997 by Stephen Hough on the Hyperion label (CDA66963) and in 1998 by Jordi Maso on Naxos (8.554332). All but No. 13 were transcribed for the guitar by Peter Fletcher himself. No. 13 is an original composition for guitar. This is the first and only recording of these pieces on guitar. Thanks to Mr. Fletcher, this adds a major work to the guitar repertoire. His transcriptions reveal a superb kinship with Mompou's music. His performances of the 14 Canciónes y Danzas are superbly subtle and delicate and sometimes bold and brash when called for by the music. His love for Mompou's music shines through. You'll find much touchingly beautiful music to replenish your soul in this CD. The recorded quality is very good. THIS CD IS A MUST HAVE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent performance and transcriptions, October 1, 2002

By 

Geoffrey P. Smith "opusposthum" (ATLANTA, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Federico Mompou: Suite Compostelana; Canciones y danzas (Audio CD)

The Suite Compostelana is a staple for concert guitarists, and here receives a beautifully shaded and shaped performance. The real treats are the guitarist's own transcriptions of Mompou's atmospheric and translucent piano miniatures, many of which I'm guessing may only be known to connoiseurs. This is fine playing, very well recorded and generous at nearly 80 minutes.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent!, September 2, 2002

By 

[e-mail] (nyc, ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Federico Mompou: Suite Compostelana; Canciones y danzas (Audio CD)

First rate solo guitar CD. Colorful, virtuosic, spontaneous, rich playing. Ranks with the world's finest classical guitar recordings. A musical treat, don't miss it.