The Guitarist

John Williams (Artist, Composer), Anonymous (Composer), Carlo Domeniconi (Composer), Philip Houghton (Composer), Erik Satie (Composer), Mikis Theodorakis (Composer), William Goodchild (Conductor), John Williams [guitar] (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: John Williams [guitar]
• Conductor: William Goodchild
• Composer: John Williams, Anonymous, Carlo Domeniconi, Philip Houghton, Erik Satie, et al.
• Audio CD (April 20, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Classical
• ASIN: B00000C28V
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,478 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Three Epitafios

2. Epitafios 3

3. Epitafios 4

4. Epitafios 5

5. Koyunbaba

6. Koyunbaba Part 1

7. Koyunbaba Part 2

8. Koyunbaba Part 3

9. Koyunbaba Part 4

10. Gymnopedie No. 3 (For Guitar And Small Orchestra)

11. Lamento Di Tristan

12. Ductia

13. Saltarello

14. Aeolian Suite For Guitar And Small Orchestra

15. I. Aeolian Chant

16. II. Double Dance

17. III. Ballad

18. IV. Toccata

19. Stele

20. I. Stele

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Music both old and new, but all of it inspired by the timeless modal harmony of medieval and Mediterranean cultures: this is the subject of John Williams's brilliant guitar disc for Sony, which also features his debut as a composer. The main work is his own "Aeolian Suite" for guitar and chamber orchestra, based on both original and 14th-century tunes (one of which, the "Saltarello," appeared on early-music pioneer David Munrow's disc called Instruments of the Middle Ages). The suite is a lovely piece of writing, deftly composed, and neither tacky nor pretentious. It's paired with an inspired assortment of spiritually related but diverse arrangements and original pieces by Satie, Theodorakis, Domeniconi, and an emotionally intense four-movement work called "Stélé," by Australian composer Phillip Houghton. Naturally, Williams performs each piece expertly, but most important, he makes his instrument sing, and that's just what the music demands. Simply super. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily the Greatest Classical Guitarist in our Time, December 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Guitarist (Audio CD)

John Williams is simply the greatest classical guitarist of our time. No one has recorded a greater variety of classical guitar music, nor has anyone attained the consistent technical excellence of Mr. Williams. His recent recordings are very "warm." I would also like to recommend "From the Jungles of Paraguay," in which Mr. Williams records only works of Augustin Barrios. Both discs are standouts. For the neophyte, I would recommend "From the Jungles of Paraguay." For the more adventurous, "The Guitarist" is a fine, if serious, recording. Enjoy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Williams Continues to Please & Impress, June 15, 2001

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Guitarist (Audio CD)

Just recently introduced to this outstanding classical guitarist, I remain thirsty for more of his fine recordings.

This is just a delightful compilation of some composers am already familiar with (i.e. Satie and Houghton) but to my great joy introduced me to the wonderful compositions for guitar and small orchestra of Theodorakis, Domeniconi and Williams himself with a knockout piece entitled "Aeolian Suite for Guitar and Small Orchestra."

This is such lyrical and flowing sounds. Stimulating to listen to and continue to gain appreciation for this talented artist and composers.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece by the master, April 26, 2002

By 

R. Webb "rbw2001" (Brooksville, Fl. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Guitarist (Audio CD)

The greatest tribute any artist can give to their instrument is to take it beyond where they found it. Mr. Williams has certaintly done this here. My personal favorites are the 'Three Epitafios' by Mikis Theodorakis, named after Pre Easter services in the Greek Orthodox Church. This is certainly a wonderful addition to the classical guitar repertoire by the esteemed Theodorakis. Composer Carlo Domeniconi,s 'Koyumbaba' is in perfect contrast to the Epitafios. With its haunting C sharp minor tuning this suite of pieces has an almost middle eastern oud quality. The 'Aeolian Suite' is Mr. William,s own composition for guitar and Orchestra and proves himself equal to the composers listed on this recording. As with his other recordings he transports the classical guitar to new avenues of technic and substance. Not allowing it to become stagnet or a monument to the Segovia legacy. In addition, the guitar that Greg Smallman made (which is used on this cd) sounds superb. This is another one of Mr. William's excellent performences.