Customer Reviews

The Guitarist

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

This is yet another fantastic work from the legendary John Williams. Here he breaks new ground with an all Mediterranean album completely eschewing his earlier Spanish work. Particularly moving are his transcriptions for guitar of Satie's works for solo piano. His semi-original composition, "Aeolian Suite" for guitar and chamber orchestra, (his own writing combined with traditional) is hauntingly good. This is his best work since the joint effort Sky albums of the '70's and '80's.

"The" Guitarist, John Williams. I rated this a 4 star only because I'm not that crazy about the Houghton compositions and the last set of Gymnopedies. But, John Boy, please compose for us another fine guitar work (with or without orchestra)! Aeolian Suite is mighty fine--the more I hear it, the more I like it. I first heard Koyunbaba performed by Christopher Parkening in a concert in 1996, but was I delighted to find out that Williams had recorded this mesmerizing work a few years later. I also really like the Epitafios. But as I said, I hope Williams composes another work for a future recording. By the way, happy 60th birthday, Mr. Williams. We look forward to another decade of fine music from you.

I just received this album in the mail. I was expecting the standard fantastic John Williams album. Instead I got an album where John Williams exceeds his own standards. I don't know what impresses me more on this album, the guitar playing or the compositions.

I am embarassed to say that I had forgotten John Williams' absolute mastery of the guitar. His selections for this album are a sharp and delightful contrast from the usual repetoire -- they include fine works from composers from the modern and the medieval, including one by Williams himself. It is an absorbing and varied program, performed with the impeccable musicianship one expects.

For Koyunbaba specifically, the best recording is the album Libra Sonatine by Yoshiaki Kamata. Although Williams is clear and technically perfect, there is a lack of passion and emotion that other guitarists evoke.

Un guitarrista extraordinario. Extremadamente detallista, una interpretación uniforme. Aeolian Suite es ciertamente una obra potente y variada pero que conserva a través de sus partes elementos básicos, novedoso y gentiles al oido. Otra gran sorpresa de este australiano, que abarrota mi colección de música de manera monopólica. Recomiendo ampliamente "The Guitarris" para todos los fanáticos de la guitarra clásica.

At just under 64 minutes, the recording could have held more music, but the eclectic nature of the selections more than made up for it. I bought it for the Aeolian Suite, but am very pleased with the other selections too. CD arrived promptly and as advertised.