The Mantis & the Moon: Guitar Duets

Manuel de Falla (Composer), Enrique Granados (Composer), Antonio Soler (Composer), Nigel Westlake (Composer), Philip Houghton (Composer), Turlough O'Carolan (Composer), Leo Brouwer (Composer), Peter Madlem (Composer), Benjamin Verdery (Composer), Frederic Hand (Composer), Paulo Bellinati (Composer), Toru Takemitsu (Composer), Dmitry Shostakovich (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados, Antonio Soler, Nigel Westlake, Philip Houghton, et al.
• Audio CD (December 10, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029NY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,278 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous world music, in the truest sense...., January 2, 2002

By 

Penumbra (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Mantis & the Moon: Guitar Duets (Audio CD)

John Williams and Timothy Kain, two masters of their chosen instrument, with more in common than just the country of their birth. Kain's guitar teacher at the conservatory in Australia had studied with Williams' father, Len. Williams and Kain first worked together in 1992, and enjoyed the experience. The two men form a complimentary duo in both technique and approach to music. Their playing is flawless. Their duets are seamless.

On this disk, Williams and Kain "journey outside the confines of the classical guitar repertoire." What a magnificent journey it is, too! The Mantis & The Moon contains 18 selections by 12 composers, grouped together by the cultures of the 6 lands they represent...Spain, Australia, Ireland, the Americas, Japan, and Russia.

This is beautiful music performed by two of the greatest guitarists of our generation. These performances go beyond classical, folk, pop or the usual guitar "genre" pieces. Yet the music is lovely, enjoyable, and accessible to the listener. If you love guitar music, you owe it to yourself to pick up this CD.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific collection of pieces, March 31, 2002

By 

Gontroppo "Music and Theology Lover" (Bathurst, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mantis & the Moon: Guitar Duets (Audio CD)

I have had this CD for several years, and still enjoy it as much as when it was first given to me. It is being passed around the family, as my son owned a copy, then bought me one, and I have just ordered a copy for my daughter-in-law.

Some of the pieces are familiar, but if you persevere, I am sure you will come to enjoy the works that are new to you.

I was sorry to see that one reviewer did not enjoy the Australian works. The Westlake piece [Songs from the Forest] is fairly light and very melodic. If you enjoy it, you should check out his Antarctica music, which exists in several different versions.

Kain's Guitar Trek recordings are also worth hunting for.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely worth owning, February 14, 2003

By 

H. Lynch (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mantis & the Moon: Guitar Duets (Audio CD)

I have many classical guitar albums, including several by John Williams in solo, duet and concerti, and this is one of my favorites. The playing is virtuosic as is expected from Williams, but the repertoire is varied and includes litte known works, including a Shostakovich duet written for guitar! Some reviewers haven't cared for the "mediocre" compositions from Australia, Ireland and the Americas, but I have to strongly disagree. Brouwer can at times be difficult, but he's hardly a slouch. Besides, if these compositions were worthy to draw the attention of one of the greatest guitarists of all time (and a fine composer in his own right), I think they're worthy of ours!
Buy this album, listen to it a few times for familiarization, and enjoy it for years to come.