Various Artists - Thomas Viloteau: Guitar Recital / Various - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam - Apollon Musagete / Apollo [COMPACT DISCS] date 12/01/1995

The music of the Paraguayan guitarist-composer Augustin Barrios (1885-1944) has come to the attention of guitarists through the efforts of such artists as John Williams. The music of Barrios is typical of the acculturation that was present in the works of Latin American composers at the turn of the century. His compositional style shows both the influences of European Romanticism and of the nationalistic trends that were prevalent in Latin-American music in the latter half of the nineteenth century. His use of forms ranges from European staples such as the mazurka and waltz to South-American folk-music such as the Danzas Paraguayas. Though not as conspicuously programmatic as some of his other works, La Catedral is said to be based on a personal experience of the composer. Though perhaps apocryphal, the story provides a colorful backdrop to the piece. Finding solace near a quiet church in the bustling city of Montevideo, Barrios was inspired to compose the Andante religioso, with it's chorale-like textures and plaintive harmonies. The ensuing Allegro Solemne is said to represent his return to the noisy soundscape of the city. The prelude, initially composed as a single movement saudade in tribute to his wife, was later added to the piece.

Ji Hyung Park has won numerous prestigious competitions, with the 7th Changsha International Guitar Competition in 2018 his most recent triumph. The diverse selection of music performed in this programme features three virtuoso sonatas by Scarlatti, the world premiere recording of Leo Brouwer's evocation of ancient Greek culture Las Ciclades Arcaicas, Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Sonata 'Omaggio a Boccherini' in it's original, pre-Segovia manuscript form, Takemitsu's final work 'In the Woods' and rare selections from Albeniz's masterpiece Iberia. The programme ends with a colorful arrangement of Toots Thielemans' gorgeous 'Bluesette.'