Classical Guitar Recordings

[Brahmsian]

I'm going to take some time off from forums. I'd rather be practicing the guitar and piano (probably more piano since it doesn't irritate my left thumb arthritis), reading, etc. I just spend way too much time online.

I do hope my contributions have been helpful.

Best to you all,
John

Thank you very much for your contributions and recommendations John. I appreciate them! Keep in touch and hope you will visit to say hello from time to time. 

[aligreto]

I'm going to take some time off from forums. I'd rather be practicing the guitar and piano (probably more piano since it doesn't irritate my left thumb arthritis), reading, etc. I just spend way too much time online.

I do hope my contributions have been helpful.

Best to you all,
John

Your contributions to all threads will be missed.
I do admire your determination and resolve though.
Take care of that left thumb 

[aligreto]

John Williams performing Guitar Concertos by Harvey & Gray....





Harvey: Concerto Antico:

This is a truly wonderful work, in my opinion. It straddles two eras in guitar music. It is written in a musical language, format and structure that gives a nod back in time but in a very modern idiom. This modern take is very exciting and I have liked it since I first heard it. It has a wonderful tone and atmosphere to it. It is a wonderful mix. The third movement is gloriously, hauntingly atmospheric.
This is, for me, a very fine work.


Gray: Guitar Concerto:

The opening movement is somewhat wistful and whimsical but there is nothing light about it. What I particularly like about this movement is how at odds the orchestral accompaniment occasionally is with the guitar. This creates wonderful dissonance and for very atmospheric listening. The music is always well driven and exciting.
The slow movement is a wonderful contrast in terms of tempo and mood. It is very lyrical with lush, almost effusive orchestral accompaniment at times. It is aso, atmospheric [in a different way to the opening movement] and it has a wonderful sense of longing and poignancy.
The final movement opens in a gentle vein, somewhat similar to the second movement. However, things soon become boisterous as the orchestra becomes animated, excited and unrestrained. This is interspersed with a calm, thoughtful commentary from the guitar. I should point out that the title of the movement is "Jokes".
This is, for me, a very fine work.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

^ I have the album somewhere in my house. I will find it and check it out!

[aligreto]

^ I have the album somewhere in my house. I will find it and check it out!

That is great! 

Happy hunting Manabu 

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Granados: Danzas Espanolas - Kateřina Englichová (harp) and Lubomír Brabec (guitar). Fun arrangements.

[aligreto]

Une Guitare pour Jean Sébastien Bach played by Alirio Diaz





This album features transcriptions for guitar from various works by JS Bach....

Chaconne from Partita No. 4 BWV 1004 arr. Segovia
Fugue from Sonata No. 1 BWV 1001 arr. Duarte
Bourée from Suite for Lute BWV 996 arr. Scheit
Gavotte from Cello Suite BWV 1012 arr. Segovia
Suite for Cello No. 3 BWV 1009 arr. Duarte

These are fine transcriptions [they should be, given the provenance of the transcribers] and they are well played by Diaz.

[Bachtoven]

My "off the grid" experiment ended today--I'm haunted too much by "I wonder what I'm missing" thoughts, so here I am! Thank you everyone for the kind thoughts.

At nearly 80 minutes, this might be too much of a good thing, but there's some excellent music and jaw-dropping playing here. I bought the download version from Presto Classical.

[Brahmsian]

Welcome back! 

[aligreto]

I too am pleased that your absence was short lived.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Classical Cool - William Kanengiser. Jazzy side.

[Brahmsian]

My "off the grid" experiment ended today--I'm haunted too much by "I wonder what I'm missing" thoughts, so here I am! Thank you everyone for the kind thoughts.

At nearly 80 minutes, this might be too much of a good thing, but there's some excellent music and jaw-dropping playing here. I bought the download version from Presto Classical.

I am sampling this right now, and it is under consideration. 

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Inspired by Fergus' post above.

[Bachtoven]

I am sampling this right now, and it is under consideration. 

The more I listen to it the less I like it! Domeniconi makes far too much use of open string arpeggio drones for my taste. I get that he's trying to imitate some traditional Turkish instruments/music, but to my ears it becomes monotonous after a while. Still, Kaya's playing is phenomenal. This is my favorite work by Domeniconi, his Chaconne. He took Bach's epic work, kept the same structure and note values (for the most part), but replaced all of the notes. Here's a video:

Dale Kavanagh has an excellent studio recording of it along with some other solo and duo works:

[Brahmsian]

I just watched this fascinating two hour documentary on Julian Bream. I didn't realize he was an Englishman. 

[Brahmsian]

This recording looks interesting.  Anyone familiar with this recording?

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

^Looks very interesting!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

These are not hottest compositions, but the guy can play. Excellent execution with dexterity and versatile touch.

[Brahmsian]

Through my classical guitar explorations, I sometimes get drawn to offshoot string instrument rabbit holes (balalaika, cimbalom, mandolin, etc....etc). I wish there were individual dedicated threads for some of these "lesser known/popular" instruments.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

This recording looks interesting.  Anyone familiar with this recording?

I find the compositions just average.

Through my classical guitar explorations, I sometimes get drawn to offshoot string instrument rabbit holes (balalaika, cimbalom, mandolin, etc....etc). I wish there were individual dedicated threads for some of these "lesser known/popular" instruments.

I love cimbalom!