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Naxos

Granados: Goyescas (For Three Guitars) / Trio Campanella

$19.99 Only 2 left

Details

Composer
GRANADOS
Artist
TRIO CAMPANELLA
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Oct 31, 2006
Catalog #
8557709
UPC
747313270927

About

A couple of years ago, the Trio Campanella came out with a striking recording of Albeniz’s Iberia in an arrangement for three guitars. Although I did not review that recording, I have heard it many times and have found it one of the more enjoyable discs in my collection. With this recording of Goyescas, the trio, aided by Christophe Dejour’s marvelously idiomatic arrangements proves itself to be a musical force with which to be reckoned. To put it simply, this is the finest recording of music for guitars that I have ever heard.

To begin with, the material is beyond reproach. Granados’s musical renderings of Goya’s portraits of eighteenth century life in Madrid are amongst the finest compositions in the piano literature. Dejour has sensitively adapted the music for his ensemble, and none of the striking piano colors are lost. Too complicated for a single guitar, this ensemble idea fits the music like a glove, and the sound is divine.

Of equal importance is the quality of the playing. These three musicians play together with the perfection of a Swiss timepiece. The palette of tonal color that they achieve is almost orchestral.

Best yet, the recording is devoid of all the things that I hate in guitar recordings. There are no incessantly squeaking strings. I am told that guitarists often restring their instruments just before a recording session, and that the new strings tend to squawk with every change of hand position. Gone also is the maddening sniffing and snorting for which guitarists - and string quartets - are notorious.

What is left is a beautiful sound, warmly recorded and oh my, what splendid music! There are some purists who will fuss at the transcription idea, but there should be no reason to quibble here. The rich warm tone of the three guitars is perfectly suited to the vivid colors and sophisticated rhythms of the music. There is little to say other than “go buy this disc and enjoy it.” It makes me anxious to revisit their earlier recording of the Albeniz mentioned above (Naxos 8.557064), and anxiously to await what will come next from this outstanding ensemble.

-- Kevin Sutton, MusicWeb International

Tracklist 7 tracks

  1. 1 No. 1. Los requiebros - compliments gallants (The Compliments - Flattery) 09:40
    Track
    1
    Title
    No. 1. Los requiebros - compliments gallants (The Compliments - Flattery)
    Duration
    09:40
    Composer
    Enrique Granados
    Ensemble
    Campanella Trio
  2. 2 No. 2. Coloquio en la reja - Duo de amor (Dialogue at the Window - Love Duet) 11:27
    Track
    2
    Title
    No. 2. Coloquio en la reja - Duo de amor (Dialogue at the Window - Love Duet)
    Duration
    11:27
    Composer
    Enrique Granados
    Ensemble
    Campanella Trio
  3. 3 No. 3. El fandango de candil (Candlelight Fandango) 07:11
    Track
    3
    Title
    No. 3. El fandango de candil (Candlelight Fandango)
    Duration
    07:11
    Composer
    Enrique Granados
    Ensemble
    Campanella Trio
  4. 4 No. 4. Quejas, o La maja y el ruisenor (Laments, or The Maiden and the Nightingale) 06:20
    Track
    4
    Title
    No. 4. Quejas, o La maja y el ruisenor (Laments, or The Maiden and the Nightingale)
    Duration
    06:20
    Composer
    Enrique Granados
    Ensemble
    Campanella Trio
  5. 5 No. 5. El amor y la muerte - Balada (Love and Death) 13:06
    Track
    5
    Title
    No. 5. El amor y la muerte - Balada (Love and Death)
    Duration
    13:06
    Composer
    Enrique Granados
    Ensemble
    Campanella Trio
  6. 6 No. 6. Epilogo: Serenata del espectro (Epilogue: The Ghost's Serenade) 08:17
    Track
    6
    Title
    No. 6. Epilogo: Serenata del espectro (Epilogue: The Ghost's Serenade)
    Duration
    08:17
    Composer
    Enrique Granados
    Ensemble
    Campanella Trio
  7. 7 El pelele (The Straw Man) (arr. for 3 guitars) 05:45
    Track
    7
    Title
    El pelele (The Straw Man) (arr. for 3 guitars)
    Duration
    05:45
    Composer
    Enrique Granados
    Ensemble
    Campanella Trio