Given Fernando Sor’s importance in the history of guitar performance and guitar repertoire, it makes sense to bring all of the composer’s studies for that instrument together on disc. Fortunately these pieces are both technically beneficial and musically rewarding, and Milan-born guitarist Enea Leone’s suave execution, keen ear for tone color, and steady yet flexible rhythmic sense befit the music.

To give a few examples, Leone’s inflections of phrase throughout the Op. 31 No. 18 Study in B minor bring a vocal orientation to the writing’s lyrical melancholy, while gorgeous textural differentiation between melody and accompaniment give three-dimensional life to the Op. 35 No. 20 Minuet, not to mention the varied articulations that help to “orchestrate” the Op. 31 No. 22 March.

Yet Leone is essentially a gentle and reserved player rather than an audacious interpreter, one not given to dynamic or dramatic extremes even when they would be most welcome. I’m thinking specifically of the Op. 29 Allegro moderato Study No. 17, which is kind of a jazzed-up version of the Quodlibet from Bach’s Goldberg Variations. While Leone is unquestionably clear and accurate, the playfully stinging accents in David Starobin’s altogether faster and more incisive performance convey ten times the character and humor. I also found similar sobriety throughout an earlier CD release where Leone plays solo guitar arrangements of Ennio Morricone movie themes. Still and all, Leone’s proficiency, sense of style, and good taste warrant respect, and the inexpensive price tag surely will entice guitar mavens. Excellent sonics and annotations.

-- Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com