MalagueA±a: Spanish Guitar Music

Guitar purists' only

This is not for the aficionado of Spanish guitar, it maybe real for the purist listener, but I found it boring. For those who know the song will find it somewhat hard to recognize Malaguena. October 6, 2008

Best five bucks you'll ever spend on a classical guitar CD

I can't help but think that because it's five dollars some people have to get snobby about this collection. In my humble opinion the recordings of "Malaguena," "Capricho Arabe," "En Los Trigales," and "Introduction, Theme, & Variations on a Theme From Mozart" are the standard by which all others should be judged. And nobody else can touch his interpretation of Granados' "Villanesca." Except perhaps for Manuel Barrueco, but the way Narciso uses harmonics for the pedal tone is something that feels so natural, you can't listen to a fretted version ever again w/o wishing it was done in harmonics! The rest of the album is typical Narciso. Amazing dynamics and phrasing with flawless technical execution. I don't really believe that anyone else in the history of classical guitar has been able to carry a counterpoint with such defined independence. A true 20th century master. His tone may be a bit on the treble side for "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" but why even play that after Pepe put his mark on it? ;)
This collection is nearly identical to a cassette tape I used to own 20 some odd years ago except that "Rumores de la Caleta" and perhaps one or two others are not included with this compilation. April 5, 2007

Pleasing but not perfect

This CD is packed with the classics and must hear of classical music. There are some pieces I wouldnt have included and others that I would have, but overall it's in my #3 rotation. February 14, 2007

Not what I was looking for

I was looking for the "old" guitar version on Malaguena that I have heard several times before. I didn't recognize this version. January 9, 2007

Remastered...and Rediscovered

There are two CD's available with this exact same program; this one has an "ambient surround imaging" applied to it, which is a pleasant effect on a surround sound system. Yepes' guitar sounds a bit recessed, but the tape hiss that was present on his budget-label LP recordings that I have is virtually gone. The dynamics have also been improved. At this price, it's a great buy, and a nice introduction to the Spanish guitar from a true master. December 24, 2006

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