Search - Joaquin Rodrigo, Manuel Ponce, Luigi Boccherini :: Rodrigo, Ponce, Boccherini: Guitar Concertos

Sensational Segovia

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Originals" is Deutsche Grammophon's most popular mid-line series, but unfortunately not all of the titles are available in the U.S. However, the import only discs like this one featuring legendary classical guitarist Andres Segovia recently have been reduced in price to the point where they cost the same their domestic counterparts. That is a great thing because this Segovia CD is simply sensational! Conductor Enrique Jorda leads the soloist and the Symphony of the Air in 1958 performances of Rodrigo's "Fantasia para un gentilhombre" and Ponce's "Concierto del Sur," and a 1961 account of Gaspar Cassado's transcription for Boccherini's Cello Concerto No. 6. Rodrigo's "Concerto de Aranjuez" is a cornerstone of the guitar repertoire, but it took years of convincing from Segovia for the composer to write this follow-up. While the Rodrigo and Ponce are natural partners, the Boccherini (originally released on a separate LP) feels a bit out of place here, but it is performed so wonderfully that it doesn't really matter. I have suffered through many a poor sounding historic mono track on the now out-of-print MCA Volumes in order to hear Segovia's genius, but that is not a concern here as the stereo sound is absolute perfection. In all, this CD is a must for classical guitar fans, and at this lower price there really is no excuse not to get it."