Mangold Nyquist - Sonata Mexicana - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Depending on the point of view, one can regard Barrios's romantic compositions as being from another time or ageless. As is well known, the development of music in the first half of the twentieth century took an entirely different direction, especially in Europe. Barrios did not follow this path. He deserves credit for transferring, with hitherto unknown techniques, the romantic style of a Frédéric Chopin to the guitar. Romanticism and the influence of South-American folklore are combined in a congenial manner in his music. He was one of the first composers to exploit the guitar's musical expressiveness in a manner that went far beyond that of the works of Francisco Tárrega. And last but not least, he left behind some of the most beautiful tremolo compositions in the entire guitar repertoire. There are innumerable virtuoso works by Barrios. The performer on the present recording has a particular predilection for Barrios's lyrical, poetic works. Melodic inventiveness, fascinating harmonies, and ideal realization on the instrument are combined here in masterpieces of the guitar literature. Maximilian Mangold is regarded Inchas one of today's artistically most interesting German guitaristsInch (Fono Forum). As a sought-after soloist, he gives numerous concerts at home and abroad, and is a just as versatile chamber musician in duos with harp, flute, violin, piano, harpsichord, fortepiano, flauto traverso, and narrator, in trio with flute and viola, and with the Vlach String Quartet Prague. Mangold has an extraordinarily extensive repertoire that is also documented on 22 recordings that have been enthusiastically acclaimed by the critics and praised as reference recordings.

During the course of the nineteenth century, national tendencies evolved in the area of music in many Europen countries. Examples of this are the national operas by Smetana, Mussorgsky, and Tchaikovsky, which are substantially informed by folksong-like melodies, regional dance rhythms, and local color in scene and plot. In Spain, the composer and musicologist Felipe Pedrell (1851-1922) was greatly active in the treatment and inclusion of Iberian folk music and traditional Spanish song material in art music. Although his compositions are today largely forgotten, he nevertheless laid the cornerstone for an independent development in Spanish music. All renowned composers who were important for the concept of the Spanish national school were Pedrell's pupils, including Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909), Enrique Granados (1867-1916), and Manuel de Falla (1876-1948). However, they also received an important part of their artistic inspiration and training in Paris, and through their acquaintance with Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy were likewise influenced by contemporary French music. Since the beginning of the century, the French capital was a magnet for many Spanish authors, painters, and musicians. Therefore, both elements - the folklore partly influenced by the centuries-long Moorish dominion over Andalusia and French impressionistic music - belonged to the significant characteristics of the Spanish national school. The compositions selected for this recording also let these influences be clearly recognized. Maximilian Mangold is regarded Inchas one of today's artistically most interesting German guitaristsInch (Fono Forum). Mangold has an extraordinarily extensive repertoire that is also documented on twenty-two recordings that have been enthusiastically acclaimed by critics and praised as reference recordings.

Much lauded Native American artist Golana returns with his fifth and most ambitious album yet. This album is comprised of non-traditional accompaniment including guitar, piano, and strings builds cross-over appeal.