Customer Reviews

Manhã de Carnaval

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

 

 

I got this disc on an impulse, trying to add to my slowly growing collection of classical guitar music. This is one impulse buy I do not regret! The selections are very mellow and relaxing, and they seem to mesh together well as if logically following one another. Graham Anthony Devine is truly "Devine" in my book. His technique is awe-inspiring, and his phrasing is subtle and precise. It's obvious he is enjoying himself a great deal playing this music. His disc has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. As a guitarist he ranks right up there with the very best and can easily be compared to John Williams or Pepe Romero, among others. Highly recommended!

This guy's a GOOD player: great facility and no rhythmic quirks. I also have his British Guitar disc (NAXOS) and it's just as stunning. This is the way our more recent virtuosi want to present the guitar: clean, unaffected, straight ahead and honest, allowing the music to speak for itself free of arbitrarily imposed excesses of pseudo-romantic "feeling". And this is the kind of album that's satisfying even just in concept. Too many classical guitarists think of Brazilian music as Villa-Lobos, Pernambuco, Jobim, Bonfa and nobody else. There's so much more. And how great is it that the one V-L tune included here is the rarely-heard "Sentimental Melody" from FOREST OF THE AMAZON (in an arrangement by Carlos Barbosa-Lima), the last major work by that composer?

The only thing I find to complain about is the very low volume of the disc.

I kind of purchased this on a whim...I played "Manha de Carnaval" with my high school guitar ensemble at the Yale Guitar Extravaganza, and for some reason, I decided one day to look up more Brazilian guitar music. I found this on Amazon, ordered it, and I have never, ever regretted it since. Graham is just a wonderful guitarist...each song is so beautiful, and bright, full of the joy of playing...corny I know, but I just hope I can play with as much passion as Graham exudes.

Thoughts/impressions, while listening ... jazzy, but tasteful ... outstandingly different ... a tour of Brazilian delights, some just beautifully reflective ... masterfully rendered with inspiring interpretations in diverse styles ... so different from (better than?) standard classical guitar repertoire ... VERY creative ... what a Treat !

`can't wait for the sequel ... more Brazilian delights.