Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar

Isaac Albeniz (Composer), Anonymous (Composer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Agustin Barrios-Mangore (Composer), Leo Brouwer (Composer), Manuel de Falla (Composer), Gabriel Faure (Composer), Antonio Lauro (Composer), Stanley Myers (Composer), Turlough O'Carolan (Composer), Astor Piazzolla (Composer), Manuel Ponce (Composer), Joaquin Rodrigo (Composer), Erik Satie (Composer), Domenico Scarlatti (Composer), Mikis Theodorakis (Composer), Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Andrew York (Composer), John Williams (Conductor), Louis Frémaux (Conductor)

Product Details

• Conductor: John Williams, Louis Frémaux
• Composer: Isaac Albeniz, Anonymous, Johann Sebastian Bach, Agustin Barrios-Mangore, Leo Brouwer, et al.
• Audio CD (May 2, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004T0P4
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,231 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( T ) > Theodorakis, Mikis
  #3 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( S ) > Scarlatti, Domenico
  #3 in	Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Sonatas > Trio Sonatas

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Guitarist John Williams (no, not John Williams the soundtrack composer) adds to his fine catalog of impeccable recordings with Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar. But this isn't just a best-of collection (though some of his greatest work is included here) since the disc contains three new recordings. Among the new tracks, Fauré's Pavane is a real stunner, a short but gorgeous piece originally meant for orchestra and choir, where Williams's guitar sounds as though it always belonged there. We get Williams at his most interpretative--his arrangements of Satie's Gymnopedie No. 3 and Piazzolla tango Verano porteno--and his most serene (the "Cavatina" theme from the movie Deer Hunter). Let's face it, some fine classical guitarists can lull their listeners into near comatose states with their instrument; Williams, on the other hand, is just the opposite. His gorgeous tone, inventive arrangements, and interesting repertoire continue to make the classical guitar sound exciting. In short, a great introduction to Williams and a real gem for lovers of classical guitar. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Mostly" Classic Williams, September 5, 2001

By A Customer

I hesitated to buy this CD because I have several other Williams CDs with many of the works featured on this one. However, I was too curious about the 3 new recordings. "Romanza", I'm afraid to say is not that interesting, although it's an ideal piece for beginning guitar students. Faure's Pavane and the arrangement of "El Condor Pasa," on the other hand, are fabulous. Williams' performance of Myers' Cavatina completely obliterates the notion that Williams plays with little emotion. Included are several other works that I consider among my favorites such as the exuberant "Sunburst," the passionate "Verano Porteno," the charming "Natalia," and the dreamy "Berceuse" (enough emotion there for ya?). I would have replaced some of the pieces for others that I believe are Williams classics. However, if you don't have a Williams CD and are curious, this CD and the Seville Concert CD would make a great introduction to a truly phenomenal musician.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The CD that all the people can enjoy, March 9, 2004

By	taka(Japanese (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

In Japan, recently classical guitar is boom, because young Japansese artists emerge. Off course not only Japanese guitarists but also foreign guitarists, is known in Japan. For instance, Andrew York is that. But the most famouse guitarist in foreign gutarists will be A.Segobia and J,Williams. The former is needless to say, about the latter, long ago I was shocked about new style, that is, the combination of electric guitar and classicas guitar. I think that he is top of the classical guitarist, on the other hand a revolutional guitarist that break the established old style.

The music songs included in the CD is variety, that is, in history Baropue, Roman, recently music, in place Spanish, south america etc.
Therefore the CD will be favorite thing for people that don't know about classical guitar.

Off course in the CD, we will be listen to his ultimate skill, in [Nataria}, in spite of the difficult left fingars touch, he play the song in high speed tempo, beautiful sound.

Thank you for reading my poor writing.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best One Disc Compilation of the Man That's Out There!, April 19, 2006

By	Frederick Baptist (Singapore) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

If you had to call modern classical guitar by another name, it would be John Williams. A student of none other than the brilliant Andres Segovia himself, John has shown over the years to have learnt a great deal from the master and has himself developed simply impeccable technique.

As a guitarist myself who has been struggling all these years with "Cavatina", it always amazes me how effortlessly John makes the tune sound so simple and as if two guitarists are playing, one for the accompanyment and one for the melody and yet it's all him! Not only are the tracks representative of John's great talent but they also represent some of the most famous and challenging pieces to play.

Another great example of this is "Asturias(Leyenda) by Albeniz, a hauntingly beautiful and deceptively simple-sounding piece. We also get pieces that span the centuries from J.S. Bach and Vivaldi to Stanley Myers and York ending with the brilliant second movement of Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez".

Although the sound quality isn't brilliant as some tracks sound better mastered than others, overall this is a great one disc introduction to John Williams' work and comes highly recommended.