Albéniz: Echoes of Spain

Isaac Albeniz (Composer), John Williams (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: John Williams
• Composer: Isaac Albeniz
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025J5
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,042 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Albeniz never wrote anything for the guitar, but his piano music frequently evokes the sound of the guitar and it transcribes very well. John Williams, a greatest guitarist, has a very good command of the Spanish musical idiom. His playing is technically superb, but even more importantly he has the flexibility and understanding of the music's rhythms to make it come alive. The early digital recording still sounds realistic, but this old LP-length program should have been transferred long ago into a lower-priced series. You might want to wait, but if you can't the playing is certainly satisfying. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Albeniz on guitar, ever, February 28, 2001

By	Mike Shanahan (Honolulu, HI, USA) - See all my reviews

There is no better collection of Albeniz on guitar, and no better John Williams recording. Once you have heard his version of 'Granada,' no other recording in the usual key of E will suffice. He actually tuned his 5th string up from A to B -- suicide on your A string! -- to get a more resonate sound in his transcription. Williams's extrovert style works wonders with 'Cordoba' and 'Sevilla' as well. Given this classic mix of an extrovert guitarist and an extrovert composer, the closing rendition of the "Tango is D" is all the more magnificent. Never was Albeniz more reflective; never was Williams more reflective. Arguably the best guitar recording ever dedicated to a single composer, though a series of recent and brilliant recordings by David Russell (of Torroba, Barrios, etc.) make it hard to make such a blanket statement. Anyway: buy this recording!!!!!!!!!

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, October 9, 2001

By	"patcarle" (Garden City, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This is the album that got me hooked on Spanish guitar - first listening, then playing. From the heart-pounding Asturias to the bright Granada and sunny Cadiz, I love this album - and go back to it frequently.

A "must have" for any fan of classical guitar.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Guitar, July 5, 2005

By	Forrest Wildwood "Phil" (The house with the narrow gate) - See all my reviews

The guitar of John Williams, the music of Albeniz, the feel of Spain what more could you ask. This is a quality piece that is nice to the ears and senses. Well worth adding to your collection.