Search - Toru Takemitsu, Jimi Hendrix, Bryan Johanson, Richard Kranjac, Michael Nicolella, Astor Piazzolla, John Fitz Rogers, Roberto Sierra Luciano Berio :: Michael Nicolella: PUSH

Amazing and first rate

A guitar fan | New York, NY | 05/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While Nicolella's playing and musicality on this CD is completely inspired, it's perhaps the breadth and depth of his talents that's most astonishing. Here's a guitarist who is totally at home in virtuosic classical guitar works like the Berio, Sierra, or Kranjac, but then completely comfortable as well in a jaw-dropping tour-de-force electric guitar piece like "Push." Not to mention that Nicolella himself composed two of the works on this CD, including his very lovely and poignant "Three Brief Episodes." Technically, his playing is as good as it gets, as is his range of expressiveness. If there's a fault here, I'd like to know about it.Another thing I really like about this CD, but what might be difficult for some listeners, is its eclecticism. Taken as a whole, the works on this recording do not represent one single genre of guitar music. Instead, there are Latin influenced works for classical guitar, music for electric guitar, some gentle pieces for classical guitar and chamber ensemble, and even a thorny contemporary masterpiece like the Berio. But that is not to say that this album lacks consistency. In fact, it's beautifully paced, and Nicolella's playing is unquestionably strong and consistent throughout. It really does hold together very well, if in an unconventional way.So, if you are looking for a remarkable recording of guitar music that's a little different than standard fare, and certainly one that will challenge you in wonderful ways and reward repeated listening, I cannot recommend this CD highly enough. Enjoy!"