Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Stephen Dodgson, Carlo Domeniconi :: Amadeus Guitar Duo Play

"Chaconne" has rarely sounded better.

Sergio Flores | Orange, CA United States | 09/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, it's time to admit it: if the album has Bach's "Chaconne", preferably the Busoni version, I will be very partial to it. This album by the Amadeus Guitar Duo (Dale Kavanagh and Thomas Kirchhoff), a Canadian-German partnership, is simply outstanding, and not only because one of my favorite pieces, the Bach/Busoni "Chaconne," is here, but because these two guitarists manage to transmit all the power and range of the guitar, a magnificent instrument in its own right, to a piece that was not composed with the guitar in mind: Bach wrote his "Chaconne" for the violin. But his much-loved opus, altered a little by Busoni for the benefit of those of us who have a fondness for passionate, romantic interpretations, shines here in the hands of Kavanagh and Kirchhoff, who achieve a strong, clear, crisp, and melodic "Chaconne" that stands tall next to some of the best interpretations in other instruments, such as Pletnev's piano performance (whose Carnegie Hall debut CD, featuring the "Chaconne," must be among the most intense and moving). The arrangement for two guitars, by Ulrich Stracke, is extraordinary. Kavanagh and Kirchhoff complement each other very well and the end product is a disc of superb quality.
The other pieces are Dodgson's "Pastourelle," Jaime Mirtenbaum Zenamon's "Casablanca" (both written specifically for the Amadeus Guitar Duo, according to the booklet), and Carlo Domeniconi's "Fantasie d'oriente e d'occidente." Unless you are really into modern classical composers, this is probably your first contact with these three musicians, as was my case, and although the "Chaconne" is the absolute jewel in the CD, the others are indeed quite good, even if a bit too "modern" for my taste.
In short: get the CD. It will amaze you what two very talented interpreters of the guitar can do with an instrument that deserves more attention, both in transcription from proven masterworks --such as in the Bach/Busoni--, as well as from modern composers. As the great Joaquin Rodrigo proved with his concerts for guitar and orchestra (his most famous one is the "Concierto de Aranjuez"), the guitar has the range, the power, the versatility to be both a great solo instrument and a concert one. If you ever thought of the guitar as a "minor" instrument, after listening to this CD, particularly the first piece, you will never think that way again. If you had a healthy respect for the guitar, one of the easiest instruments to learn and one of the most difficult to master, this CD will prove you right and will provide you with a beautiful listening experience."