Customer Reviews

Ten String Spectacular - Ten-String Guitar works by Debussy, Poulenc, Ravel, Satie, Tarrega, Albeniz, Rodrigo, and Granados

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A 10 string guitar is a regular 6 string with an addition of 4 more strings that are bass guitar strings. So Macaluso plays the guitar and the bass part at the same time...it makes for a very full sound for a solo guitar. When this album first came out I never heard of any sort of trick modifications on a standard 6 string setup so for me this was initially a novelty album.But Macaluso really has a feel for that romantic classical stuff and the 10 string really gives these pieces a 'smooth' and velvety feel. Some of the pieces are originally piano works so when played on piano there is something of a stuccato way about them. Clair De Lune comes out real nice,very soft,and played very sweet with out a trace of sapynes.It is a good example of the beauty of the guitar's sound and Macaluso's great technique.But even if your not interested in the interesting technicalities in this album, it is a most relaxing and beautiful album to listen to. A shared bottle of wine in the patio at the end of the day,this is the music you want to listen to.

I was unfamiliar with the ten-string guitar when I heard a portion of this CD but it was enough, I wanted to hear the entire thing. The sound of the ten-string is rich and the works selected for this CD are spot on for this instrument. For those who love Satie's Gymnopiedies No. 2 and No. 3 and Gnossienne No. 1 and No. 2, and I am one, hearing them played on the ten-string guitar is a wonderful experience. If a CD can be worn out that fate awaits this one.