Customer Reviews

Sor: Complete Guitar Music, Vol. 10

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

 

 

The number of classical guitarists who know how to play early 19th century music is vanishingly small. But in this underrated recording, Vieaux proves himself a happy exception. His approach is stylish and tasteful.

Though Spaniard Fernando Sor belongs to Beethoven's generation, he was musically a disciple of Haydn and Mozart. He set himself to raise the standard of music written for the guitar, composing works of richer and fuller harmonic interest than most of his contemporaries. Because of this, his music is deceptively difficult--it should sound easy, but most guitarists founder on the left hand changes and florid ornamentation. Vieaux makes no concession to these difficulties, and plays with lightness and grace.

Curiously, before Vieaux made this recording, he wasn't particularly excited over Sor. But this is a case in which the player found a composer congenial to his strengths and temperament. Vieaux has floated the idea of doing another all-Sor recording for his current label, Azica. If he does, it will show just how good Fernando Sor can be in hands of a sympathetic and imaginative artist.

I bought this cd after hearing Jason Vieaux's amazing Naxos recording #553449 . That recording opened my eyes to the fact that classical guitar playing and composing is alive and well. Where as that recording was filled with adventurous compositions and guitar playing with a romantic flair, this Fernando Sor compilation seems quite subdued in comparison. The playing seems more conservative to fit with the spirit of these compositions. There's a simplicity to many of the compositions which I enjoy. Many of them have a meditative quality and a way of transporting me straight to Spain or Mexico to a small village where the beauty of simplicity in living is reflected by the music. Many of the pieces are short problems that Sor worked out for his pupils; so there isn't a great deal of depth in many of these works, but they are worth hearing nonetheless as played by a very talented classical-guitarist.

Not the usual choice of pieces for a player of Jason Vieaux's calibre, but hearing the intermediate level exercises of Sor's Opus 44 played by him is a rewarding experience nonetheless. This also increased my appreciation for Sor's genius in composing relatively simple but listenable classical guitar compositions. Although not the most recorded pieces or the most memorable compositions of the greatest guitar composer ever, this CD is still worth listening to.

Recommended.

Aspiring classical guitarists will find this CD extremely valuable in appreciating Sor's brilliance in composing, and Jason Vieaux's equal brilliance in interpreting these Sor pieces. Although technically the studies in Sor's Opus 44 range from beginner to intermediate in level of difficulty, there's something here for everyone. Beginners can learn just how beautiful the easier pieces can be when played well, and even advanced guitarists can benefit from Vieaux's interpretations. Sor's Opus 43 and 45 are also performed with great passion, making this CD one of the best Sor compilations for the study - and enjoyment - of classical guitar.

Jason Vieaux presents these works by Sor with wonderful finesse, restraint and elegance. His technique is impeccable, but beyond that he has a clear understanding of the guitar music of the period and is therefore able to present on the modern guitar Sor's compositions in such a way that the listener can sense the care with which they were no doubt written. He neither overwhelms the studies of Op. 44 -- which many guitarists would consider beneath them in their simple demands, nor understates them. The temptation would have been to just toss them off, but Vieaux has clearly given each piece considerable thought. Possible the best I've heard Sor played, way better than the pedantic Segovia!