Search - Enrique Granados, Napoleon Coste, Vicente Asencio :: Guitar Recital

Most pleasing

Mrs E Cavanagh | 04/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What a great repertoire is covered in this recital?



Firstly the Granados: flawlessly executed and played with divine elegance and class - a little reserved in some places, and devout Granados fans (he wrote for the piano mostly, and never the guitar) might find it's plainness a bit hard to chew - but I find it better than Bream or Williams. So it's good.



The Coste is a great piece and McFadden plays this solidly with some great chops and a touch of his sense of humour comes out.



The Asencio is not played as well as what is available by Jose Antonio Escobar also in the NAXOS Laureate Series. And Denis Azabagics recording of this piece is on such a pedestal, artists beware! That said, Jeff is having a go here and what we are left with is a different interpretation of the piece than we are used to - not necessarily spansh, but just different. Well done, for that.



As for the rest of the CD, the Henze is a refreshingly modern splash into such a great program here, and is performed with incredible musicality. The greatly overdone cathedral is so-so in relation to the rest, perhas a touch disappointing for me. If you havn't heard this piece before, forget what I say. He closes his program with the Rodrigo three pieces, which are bsolutely brilliant. Fantastic in every way. Absolutely gripping performance.



Such a great program here, no one can possibly be disappointed. Put it on from start to finish and enjoy."

Fiery, lyrical, rhythmical and expressive - true virtuosity

Mrs E Cavanagh | 10/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD deserves to be in the catalogue of anyone who loves music. McFadden's playing is both accessible to those who aren't familiar with guitar music through its warmth and sensitivity, as well as valuable to the serious guitarist for its fine example of musical and technical brilliance."

Fantastic

Mrs E Cavanagh | 10/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jeff McFadden is a world class performer. Having seen him play live several times and after studying privately with him, I can honestly say he is a master guitarist, teacher and musician. I would very highly reccomend this CD as an introduction to Jeff McFadden and also for what Canada has to offer!!!!"