Suite espa?ola No. 1, for piano, Op. 47, B. 7: No.1: Granada
Suite espa?ola No. 1, for piano, Op. 47, B. 7: No.5: Asturias
Suite espa?ola No. 1, for piano, Op. 47, B. 7: No.3: Sevilla
Mallorca, barcarola for piano in F sharp minor, Op. 202, B. 41
Cantos de Espa?a, pieces (5) for piano, Op. 232, B. 44: No.4: C?rdoba
Piezas caracter?sticas (12), for piano, Op. 92, B. 29: No.12: Torre bermeja
Suite espa?ola No. 1, for piano, Op. 47, B. 7: No.4: C?diz
Piezas caracter?sticas (12), for piano, Op. 92, B. 29: No.7:Zambra granadina
Espa?a, album leaves (6) for piano, Op. 165, B. 37: No.2: Tango
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 i... more »diom. 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« less
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
"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!!!!!!!!!."
Great Guitar
Forrest Wildwood | The house with the narrow gate | 07/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Evocative Albeniz
M. Levitt - classical music buff | Philadelphia, PA | 04/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD contains nine pieces: Granada, Asturias, Sevilla, Mallorca, Cordoba, Torre Bermeja, Cadiz, Zambra Granadina and Tango - all played so evocatively, beautifully by guitarist John Williams that I couldn't resist playing this CD over and over despite knowing much of this music from hearing other classical guitarists. If I have any complaint, it is that the CD is too short.
Realistic sound quality. Highly recommended. For the Suite Espanola, Op. 47, do try Julian Bream's CD of Spanish Guitar Music on RCA/BMG. On my shopping list is Manuel Barrueco's Albeniz and Turina CD on EMI, and Jason Vieaux's Sevilla album (all Albeniz transcriptions).
"
Warm Sound
Legiscritique | New Jersey, USA | 04/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a CD that one will pop into the player over and over (and over). The Albeniz works included on this disc, while not written for guitar, are transposed beautifully here for the instrument and are played by a guitarist who can deliver the music with great sensitivity and warmth. Part of that warmth, which, simply, can not be conveyed fully by mere words in a written review, may also be because this recording appears to be analog and not digital. For those who desire an alternative, better yet a supplement, to Williams' guitar renditions of Albeniz' music, Alicia de LaRoccha can't be beat in her 2 CD solo piano recording of Albeniz' works. Also, Williams' recording of Bach's Lute Suites can be considered "Volume 2" or an extension of this Williams' Albeniz guitar gem on account of similar warmth (in playing and apparent analog recording) and sensitivity. Enjoy!"