Customer Reviews

300 Years of Guitar Masterpieces

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I listened so often to Barrueco's version of "Granada" in my early days, that I discovered this charming fact: if you crank the volume way up at the end of the piece, you can actually hear a car horn honk in the background! At least that was true in the LP version, and frankly I'd be a little disappointed if it was cut out in the CD version. This is a lovely set of recordings. The Bach suites are elegant; 20 years ago it was a surprise to hear the lute suites ornamented so thoughtfully. As other commentators have already mentioned, the Albeniz and Granados music really stands out here. Barrueco actually observes the volume markings on such pieces as "Sevilla," playing the opening bars "piano" as marked in the score...a rare thing indeed. This recording was the first to make "Cataluna' a popular guitar piece (Barrueco sounds like Franz Liszt as he thunders through that composition), and the first to play "Cadiz" in the more comfortable key of A. Not surprisingly, his version of Albeniz's "Cuba" is genius. The "Spanish Dances" of Granados are equally a revelation. It was this recording that made Dance #4 a standard performance piece, a lovely folk-song melody. Anyway, this recording is a great bargain, and a good chance to hear a fine artist in his earlier years. Buy it, and see if that distant horn honk is still there during the final seconds of "Granada." I love it when life seeps in through the cracks of our beloved classical world. -Mike Shanahan

I have had this CD (or parts of it from earlier records) for quiet a while. As a guitar lover and record collector, I judge these performances as the alpha and omega of guitaristic art. They are a world of their own, both in terms of interpretation and instrumental technique.
These recordings are from Manuel's earlier years as a performer. I find him better than on his more recent recordings, where he seems to have lost some youthful enthousiasm.
If you are interested in guitar music, not just the candelight type but prime art, this is the CD that will change your perspectives for ever.

Sensitive performances of Granados and Albeniz pieces, absolutely flawless and balanced melodies and harmonies. Same for Villa Lobos Etudes: plays as if they were the easiest pieces ever written. Very well recorded, as well.

Though I must admit I have heard better Manuel Barrueco recordings of some of these pieces, I think one will find it difficult to find any bad Barrueco recordings. Some of these pieces are outstanding. I am especially fond of the selections from Albeniz's Suite Espanola and Granados' Spanish Dances. The Paganini pieces are fine examples of Barrueco's amazing technical abilitiy. For three discs, the asking price is an exceptional bargain!

I was browsing Amazon, shopping for gifts, and when I listened to the snippets of this, I couldn't resist ordering it for myself. It's a 3CD set of beautiful, varied music played by a brilliantly skilled and sensitive master. Barrueco has an extraordinary touch that seems perfect for each piece, from Bach to Paganini to Villa-Lobos. Anyone who likes classical guitar would treasure this set.

This three CD collection is a reissue of Cuban born virtuoso Manuel Barrueco's early Vox LPs, recorded in the late 1970s to early 1980s. Included in this set is his stunning performance of selections by Spanish composers Isaac Albéniz and Enrique Granados. This 1978 Albéniz/Granados recording is perhaps the greatest example of what I call the "cool school" of guitar playing, eschewing color and warmth in favor of restraint, taste, and note perfect execution. One complaint: in this reissue VoxBox inexplicably spread the Albéniz/Granados selections over three CDs.

Not much else really to say about this. It is a collection of brilliant interpretations and the guitar has the most amazing sound I've ever heard on a recording. You will find yourself almost spiritually bound to share this recording with any classical guitar playing friends and aficionados.

I love this cd. The minute you put this music on you are transported to another world. It is very soothing and relaxing to listen to. Anyone who likes classical guitar should own this cd.

This 3-CD set is a must-have for any serious student of classical guitar, or even for the seriously interested listener. The selections cover a wide range of music, all flawlessly performed by Barrueco, who is possibly the best classical guitarist alive today. I've owned this set for 5 years, and still find myself going back to it time and time again. It also has made a great gift for family and friends who have expressed an interest in my classical guitar studies, but who have no prior exposure to guitar as a classical instrument. Get this CD now. You won't be sorry.

I've had this CD sitting on my wish list for quite some time, but for some reason never got around to buying it. The other day, it took a drop in price. I was ordering some other items so I stuck the CD on the order. Oh my.... wish I had ordered it sooner. The music is wonderful.

I know where I will be turning when I find myself in the mood for some relaxing and expertly played classical guitar music.

This CD set is a bargain. Almost 50 tracks of music on 3 CDs. Highly recommended.