"Barrueco is an "Andres Segovia" for the new mellinium. His technical expertise is head and shoulders above the crowd and his emotional interpertation is passionate. Some purists may rightly complain that this is not, note for note, Bach. I believe the embellished arrangement by Barrueco augments and accentuates the spirit of Bach, proving that classical music, and specifically the classical guitar, is not chiseled into a tombstone, but alive, thriving and growing. My favorite is Track 4, Sonata in A minor, IV: Allegro (BWV 1003). You could set an atomic clock by his incredibly precise timing. He also reveals the amazingly wide voicing of the classical guitar. It truly showcases Barrueco's fiery mastery. It's hard to believe you are listing to a single instrument."
A great guitarist playing the greatest of composers.
Mark T. Newkirk | 10/22/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anyone who is a classical guitar afficionado, or a fan of Bach's, will enjoy this. Barrueco has been one of the most in-demand performers for almost 20 years, and this recording clearly demonstrates why."
The best classical guitar CD ever
akira bergman | Melbourne, Vic Australia | 11/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Also I reckon the best Bach interpretation on any instrument. This guy makes his guitar talk. Music is of prime importance for him and he obviously understands it. His technique is perfect. He must have the best right hand technique ever. Having said all this, my fave is the first track (Grave). I also love the last movements, specially the number 8 allegro assai. The last sonata could be better musically but I still like it. This guy refreshed my love for guitar and Bach again. This CD is the best of his until now and I am eagerly waiting for his next Bach recording. Come on Manuel, make my day, record the lute suites, maybe the remaining partitas, the cello suites. Make another service to humanity. I am now studying guitar more than ever. I listened to the CD countless times. The best spent [money] of my life."
DEFINITIVAMENTE LA MEJOR VERSION DE LAS SONATAS DE BACH
Juan Ortega | Chile | 03/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sobervio!!!!
Sublime y cautivante.... el tono magistral de Manuel Barrueco, junto a su extraordinaria técnica y su particular concepción musical e instrumental hacen creer que la obra de Bach fue compuesta originalmente para la guitarra. El sonido es tan cálido, cristalino y profundo que se puede percibir el olor y la textura de la manera. El nivel artistico de esta grabación gracias a la excepcional interpretación de Barrueco trasciende lo puramente musical y convierte a las sonatas de Bach en una verdadera "antología poetica recitada por seis cuerdas". Definitivamente Manuel Barrueco es el mejor interprete de Bach (no solo considerando la guitarra, si no que a todos los instrumentos) y el mejor guitarrista del mundo en la actualidad."