Track Listing

1. Mallorca
2. Suite Espanola
3. Cordoba
4. Dedicatoria
5. La Maja de Goya
6. Danza Espanola No. 4
7. Valses Poeticas
8. Danza Espanola No. 5
9. Tres piezas Espanolas

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3783 in Music
• Released on: 1994-10-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds
• Running time: 77 minutes

Customer Reviews

Like a warm evening in Madrid
With his sheer variety of tone, Bream illustrates Beethoven's contention that the guitar is the instrument most like a full orchestra. In this recital of Albeniz and Granados piano works transcribed for guitar, we hear everything from a sharp cutting twang to a softer, mellifluous strum. The sounds are sometimes unexpected but always colorful and individual. Bream conveys great affection for this music in these warmly spontaneous performances. The overall result is like being at a recital in an intimate setting. This is highly recommended, especially with its added selections by Rodrigo. This "Navigator" reissue is not available everywhere so I urge you to take advantage of this offering!

Beautiful and evocative music from a master.
This album showcases Julian Bream's supreme ability to interpret the spanish classical repertoire as no-one else can. His extraordinary musical sensitivity and stunning technique allow him to bring this music alive, and to evoke the land and culture from which it came in vivid colour. The tonal range he coaxes from the instrument is incredible, and the quality of these recordings is particularly high.

The pieces attempted here are a varied and rewarding selection. A highlight for me is Granados' wonderful "Danzas Españolas Op.37 No.4". The introduction is sparse and lightly phrased, with a dancing melody and chimed counter-rhythms that build into a rolling, powerful theme, and Bream plays it superbly. Albeniz's well-known "Suite española No. 1" is performed here with passion and energy. The "Tres Piezas Españolas" by Rodrigo are a fascinating and powerful trio - by turns playful, somber and dischordant, and urgent and passionate.

This is an outstanding album, well chosen and exquisitely performed, and an excellent addition to any collection.

Spanish Guitar Recital played by Julian Bream.
This CD provides a delicious range of pieces composed by Albeniz, Granados and Rodrigo. By turns they invoke feelings of happiness, merriment, longing and at times melancholy. None disappoint, and the recital flows on,each piece providing a contrast with the preceding composition. The playing is masterly. Julian Bream makes his guitar sing with absolute assurance and great emotion. It takes me back to the silver-haired guitarist I heard in February sunshine playing behind the Prado in Madrid. I love every minute of this CD.