Johann Sebastian Bach, FranA§ois Couperin, Gabriel FaurA©, Isaac Albeniz, Anonymous, Francisco Tarrega (y Eixea), Silvius Leopold Weiss, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gordon Young, Georg Philipp Telemann, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Manuel de Falla, Manuel Ponce, Enrique Granados, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Andrew York, Fernando Sor, Gaspar Sanz, Joaquin Rodrigo, Christopher Parkening - Christopher Parkening - The Great Recordings ~ By America's Preeminent Guitar Virtuoso

Excellent recording

If you are a fan of classical guitar than this is a must own set. I enjoy every moment. May 12, 2007

Highly Recommended!

I would recommend this CD to anyone who loves music--period! Christopher Parkening is unquestionably one of the greatest classical guitarists of all-time. He embodies personal excellence like no other and is a brilliant artist. This CD is a must-have for any classical enthusiast. My favorite pieces include: Tárrega's "Recuerdos de la Alhambra," "Romance," Bach's "Prelude No. 6," and Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez." There are other versions of these pieces as well, but I always prefer Parkening's renditions, as they are oh so extraordinary--especially the recording of Aranjuez!! Other guitarists never seem to capture the essence of Rodrigo's musical masterpiece (e.g., Göran Söllescher in "Mad About Guitars"). But Parkening did! And the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was a perfect accompaniment.

This CD is definitely worth buying. Included is a CD booklet, which illustrates the history of Parkening's illustrious career, interesting tidbits about all 25 recorded pieces, and several photos of his early life to his "breathtaking performance" at Rodrigo's 90th birthday celebration at the Royal Festival Hall in London, 1992. December 23, 2006

Amazing

I am not going to go into great detail. I am working on a degree in classical guitar and I can say this is something to strive for. His musical interpretation of the peices represented here are some of the best I've heard. His tone,color, and phrasing is incredible. May 8, 2006

A gentleman musical agreement!

In guitar ` s playing there have been many renowned performers, gifted of exuberant technique. But curiously the Apollonian playing is not by itself strictly enough. The guitar is the instrument which is closer to heart as any other one. It demands from you passion and sentiment. There have been three well known guitarists, one of them from England and the other one from Spain and the third one from Japan whose sensibility was totally absent in their performances.

But fortunately for us, there have been notable interpreters that have been maintained a desired balance and contrast between brain and heart, achieving great distinction and total acknowledgement around the world. I would name eight primordial names along the instrument `s story. First of all: the mythic soloist Andres Segovia, Agustin Barrios (El Indio Mangore),Regino Sainz de la Maza, John Williams, Alirio Diaz, Manuel Berrueco, Siegfried Behrend and Christopher Parkening, among the most representative ones of a great list.

Christopher Parkening `s career has made a brilliant colorist, an impeccable and sensitive interpreter of this well reduced repertoire. His profound artistic conviction and convincing phrasing has been a perpetual motive of constant invitations and presentations around the world.
March 16, 2006

Simply Incredible

A friend recommended this CD set to me after I mentioned that I enjoyed classical music. I was blown away when I heard it--I had never heard anyone play guitar like this. Parkening's use of the guitar more closely resembles a harp or harpsicord, but not a six-stringed instrument. I cannot think of enough superlatives to describe these CDs. Buy them, you won't be disappointed. December 31, 2003

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