Review: This Classic FM 2CD collection of classical guitar music was released at the same time as the Classic FM `Full Works' series of 50 separate CDs, so was slightly upstaged and pushed to the back of the class.

However, it's Classic FM's first serious venture into the area of classical guitar music and with this in mind I think it's a well considered offering. It's not the `Ultimate' of course as the title claims - even a large collection of John Williams, Julian Bream and Andres Segovia wouldn't scratch the surface - but it does score well I think for its success at displaying the versatility of the instrument.

Obvious inclusions are Stanley Myers' `Cavatina' (made famous by the film The Deerhunter) but more interesting perhaps are the transcriptions, from piano, of pieces such as Einaudi's `Le Onde' and Satie's `Gymnopedie No. 3' which I think really show off the ability of the instrument to play a wide range of musical styles.

The recordings are good, as is usual of Classic FM products, and the range of guitarists - John Williams is of course included, but many lesser known players are also on offer - provides a variety of playing techniques.

While certainly not the `Ultimate', this is a highly recommended and entertaining collection.

Tracklist:


Disc 1

01. Concierto De Aranjuez: Agadio - Rodrigo
02. Carmen: Habanera - Bizet
03. Le Onde - Einaudi (Recorded Exclusively For The Album)
04. Nimrod - Elgar
05. Cavatina From The Deer Hunter - Myers
06. Concerto No. 1 In A Major: Andantino - Giuliani
07. Gymnopedie No. 3 - Satie
08. Danza Andaluza No. 1 - Romero
09. Sevilla - Albeniz
10. Violin Partita In G Minor: Presto - Bach
11. La Seguidilla - Torroba
12. Romanza - Bacarisse
13. Prelude No. 1 - Villa - Lobos
14. Tiempo De Bolero - Rodrigo
15. Here Comes The Sun - Harrison



Disc 2


01. Concerto For Two Guitars In G Major: Allegro - Vivaldi
02. Adagio In G Minor - Albinoni
03. Questa Notte - Einaudi (Recorded Exclusively For The Album)
04. Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre: Canario - Rodrigo
05. Suite Espanola: Canarios - Sanz
06. Dolly Suite: Berceuse - Faure
07. Farewell To Stromness - Maxwell Davies
08. Danza Triste - Granados
09. Romance No.1 - Brunning (Recorded Exclusively For The Album)
10. Album Of The Young: Melodie - Schumann
11. Chiquilin De Bachin - Piazzola
12. Cantilena - Harvey
13. Sonata In D Major - Scarlatti
14. La Ultima Cancion - Barrios
15. Concierto Madrigal: Fandango - Rodrigo

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