Classical Guitar Recordings

[Bachtoven]

I actually meant the Fernando Sor series...I don't know if there are particular Sor works/collections that are considered to be his masterpieces, or if there is a volume that is the best introduction to him.

But I appreciate all the other recommendations equally!!   I do love that Adam Levin series (and even traded a couple emails with him about it), and the Nikita Koshkin preludes & fugues disc is extraordinary, one of my favorite contemporary works for any instrument. I also saw and saved your Topchii recommendation when you posted about it a few weeks ago.

I haven't heard the Sor series, but those are highly respected players, so I think you are in good hands. I'm not a huge fan of his music, but I like his Op.14 Sonata and have learned it at one point. I might need to revisit it since I play almost nothing from that era.

I hope Koshkin's ex-wife (or someone equally talented) records the remaining 12 Preludes and Fugues. I'm working on No.8 in F-sharp minor. Man, the fugue is a beast! The prelude is a little tricky with the bass notes being played pizzicato at the same times as the upper voices being non-pizzicato. Indeed, he has a fertile mind. The only piece of his that I currently have under my fingers is "The Fall of Birds," a massively demanding Passacaglia and Fugue.

Topchii is one of my favorite young guitarists. Here's a great recital recorded in San Francisco last year. Every work is amazing, but Rodrigo's Toccata beginning at 51:37 is just off the chart! He wrote back in the 30s, but it was considered unplayable until recently...and it still is for most mere mortal!

This is another wonderful recital recorded in a beautiful church in Kiev, Ukraine, his home town.

(There are links in the introductory comments to pre/post concert interviews with him if you or anyone is interested. His English is very good.)

Brian, do you play guitar?

And for the record, my name is John.  :-)

[Papy Oli]

Cross-posted from the Purchases Thread. Sampling was promising, looking forward to dive deeper in those releeases (£2.08 each as MP3 on the current Chandos Naxos sale - only two or three of those are available as FLAC but mp3 will do for this first foray - Sound seems more than ok overall.)

Some more downloads from the Chandos Naxos sale:

 

 

 

[Bachtoven]

This is a wonderful arrangement of Albenz' "Iberia." Excellent playing and sound, too.

[aligreto]

Cross-posted from the Purchases Thread. Sampling was promising, looking forward to dive deeper in those releeases (£2.08 each as MP3 on the current Chandos Naxos sale - only two or three of those are available as FLAC but mp3 will do for this first foray - Sound seems more than ok overall.)

I would be curious to eventually know what you thought of those recordings when you eventually get to listen to them.

[Papy Oli]

I would be curious to eventually know what you thought of those recordings when you eventually get to listen to them.

i shall report in due course.

[aligreto]

Looking forward to it already, my friend.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Anatolian Suite - Bekir Küçükay. Nice, Turkish compositions.

[Brahmsian]

@aligreto Fergus, since I know you are familiar with de Lhyoyer's music, I am wondering if you by chance know these recordings?  (or anyone else of course, for that matter)

[aligreto]

@aligreto Fergus, since I know you are familiar with de Lhyoyer's music, I am wondering if you by chance know these recordings?  (or anyone else of course, for that matter)

Unfortunately, Ray, I am not familiar with either of those recordings.
Hopefully you will have more luck with other members' experience.

[Brian]

I have the Brilliant Lhoyer box set. I believe I was turned off by several Naxos multiguitar recordings involving Skogmo and Franke (there's one with another composer with a dazzling tile cover) because they had lots of loud breathing and performance noise. The Brilliant box I picked up for the car. It's pleasant, diverting music for grocery trips, tuneful and amiable. I wouldn't call it essential, but I got it for $11 and it has definitely been worth more than that to me.

[Brahmsian]

I have the Brilliant Lhoyer box set. I believe I was turned off by several Naxos multiguitar recordings involving Skogmo and Franke (there's one with another composer with a dazzling tile cover) because they had lots of loud breathing and performance noise. The Brilliant box I picked up for the car. It's pleasant, diverting music for grocery trips, tuneful and amiable. I wouldn't call it essential, but I got it for $11 and it has definitely been worth more than that to me.

Thanks Brian.  That is good to know.  A definite no for me. 

[aligreto]

Thanks Brian.  That is good to know.  I definite no for me. 

There you go! 

[Brian]

Just listened to a Lhoyer duo while driving to the grocery and back! It's so charming. Lhoyer was most prolific from 1800-1820 and his music sounds pre-Beethoven, like a series of very short miniature Haydn quartets. There is nothing Spanish or Italian about them, except maybe the melodic cheer and formula driven style of Rossini.

The Brilliant box uses replicas of 1820 guitars but the difference is very small/subtle.

[aligreto]

Just listened to a Lhoyer duo while driving to the grocery and back! It's so charming. Lhoyer was most prolific from 1800-1820 and his music sounds pre-Beethoven, like a series of very short miniature Haydn quartets. There is nothing Spanish or Italian about them, except maybe the melodic cheer and formula driven style of Rossini.

The Brilliant box uses replicas of 1820 guitars but the difference is very small/subtle.

Good stuff. Thank you for those comments.

[Bachtoven]

I think "charming" is just about the last adjective I'd use to describe Henze's "The Royal Winter Music"! Yes, it's quite challenging to listen to...and to play. Julian Bream Commissioned it, requesting that Henze write a work with the scope of Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Sonata. It seems that Henze might have gone too far since Bream declared "Mad Lady Macbeth" to be unplayable at the time. Since then a few have conquered it, including David Tanenbaum. This is an excellent performance and recording.


He re-recorded it years later:

 but I prefer the sound on the previous one. The more recent one is probably easier to find.

[Bachtoven]

By the way, Julian Bream said, "I like to be charmed now and then, but not 24 hours a day."   (That might be a slight paraphrase.)

[Brahmsian]

I think "charming" is just about the last adjective I'd use to describe Henze's "The Royal Winter Music"! Yes, it's quite challenging to listen to...and to play. Julian Bream Commissioned it, requesting that Henze write a work with the scope of Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Sonata. It seems that Henze might have gone too far since Bream declared "Mad Lady Macbeth" to be unplayable at the time. Since then a few have conquered it, including David Tanenbaum. This is an excellent performance and recording.


He re-recorded it years later:

 but I prefer the sound on the previous one. The more recent one is probably easier to find.

Sampled the second Tanenbaum you mentioned. A lot more "approachable" than I was anticipating. 

[Bachtoven]

Sampled the second Tanenbaum you mentioned. A lot more "approachable" than I was anticipating. 

Oh, sure, there are some beautiful passages, but it's tough for people who don't venture past the 19th century!

[Bachtoven]

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

[JBS]

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

They've been very enjoyable, at least. Do drop back in from time to time!