Isaac Albéniz; Joaquín Turina - Guitar Works (Manuel Barrueco)

Information

Composer: Isaac Albéniz; Joaquín Turina

• (01) Albéniz - Suite española, Op. 47 (arr. Barrueco)
• (09) Turina - Fandanguillo, Op. 36
• (10) Turina - Sevillana (Fantasia), Op. 29
• (11) Turina - Ráfaga, Op. 53
• (12) Turina - Homenaje a Tárrega, Op. 69
• (14) Turina - Sonata, Op. 61

Manuel Barrueco, guitar

Date: 1992

Label: EMI

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Review

Albeniz on the guitar is neither a new nor an inappropriate concept, ever since Albeniz himself set the seal of approval on Tarrega's arrangements of his works, guitarists have declared open season on his piano music, but, since it is only in recent years that they have embraced the notion of 'integrality'—and some pieces are much harder to play than others, they have continued to pick on the softer targets. The whole of Albeniz's Suite espanala has been transferred to one or more guitars, but to the best of my knowledge it has been recorded in its entirety by only one other guitarist, the German Michael Troster (Harmonia Mundi). Whilst Troster adheres to the original order, Barrueco changes it considerably, but only in one item ''Cuba'' do they differ significantly in tempo—both sound comfortable, but Barrueco is Cuban by birth and may be closer to the 'truth'! To arrange something is one thing, to play it as freely as the music requires may be quite another; had Albeniz heard Barrueco, one of the cleanest technicians and aristocratically poised interpreters of such music the guitar has, he might truly have believed that it sounds 'better' (or, allowing for over-enthusiasm, 'just as good') on the guitar. Pianists, no less than guitarists, might learn from this recording.

What would on an LP have been the 'B side' is another 'integral', all five of Turina's works for the guitar. Like Albeniz's piano music they are a 'celebration' of Spain, but written for the guitar—and with the benefit of Segovia's assistance—rather than with it in the subconscious. All have been recorded many times, but Barrueco's playing of them sets the benchmark at which others will have to aim for a long time to come. The superb recording does full justice to every nuance of Barrueco's gorgeous tone, just one facet of his mastery.

-- John Duarte, Gramophone

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Isaac Albéniz (29 May 1860 – 18 May 1909) was a Spanish pianist and composer. He is one of the foremost composers of the Post-Romantic era who also had a significant influence on his contemporaries and younger composers. His activities as conductor, performer and composer significantly raised the profile of Spanish music abroad and encouraged musicians in his own country. Transcriptions of many of his pieces, such as Asturias (Leyenda), Granada, Sevilla, Cádiz, Córdoba, Cataluña, and the Tango in D, are important pieces for classical guitar, though he never composed for the guitar.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Alb%C3%A9niz

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Joaquín Turina (9 December 1882 – 14 January 1949) was a Spanish composer of classical music. He was born in Seville, then lived in Paris (1905-14) where he took composition lessons from Vincent d'Indy and studied the piano under Moritz Moszkowski. Along with Manuel de Falla, he returned to Madrid in 1914, working as a composer, teacher and critic. His works include the operas Margot (1914) and Jardín de Oriente (1923), the Danzas fantásticas (1919), La oración del torero, chamber music, piano works, guitar pieces and songs. Much of his work shows the influence of traditional Andalusian music.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaqu%C3%ADn_Turina

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Manuel Barrueco (born December 16, 1952) is a Cuban guitarist. He attended the Esteban Salas Conservatory, before immigrating with his family to the United States in 1967. His first recordings aroused excitement about his skills and musical interpretation. Ever since, Barrueco has toured extensively, appearing in some of the world's most important musical centers. He has made well over a dozen recordings for EMI, and has received a Grammy nomination. His performances have been broadcast by television stations in Japan and Europe. He teaches at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Barrueco

https://barrueco.com/

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