Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel, Domenico Scarlatti :: David Russell: Passacaille

A guitarist who plays like a lutenist

digital dilettante | London, England United Kingdom | 05/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Russell's playing of Baroque repertoire is closer to its real spirit and performance practice than most other classical guitarists, even Julian Bream, although the latter has adjusted his approach over the years in the same direction (compare his early 1990's reinterpretation of Bach's Lute Suite #1 for EMI vs his 1960's RCA version, for example). Russell plays this music as a lutenist would, paradoxically exploiting the constraints of the instrument to achieve not only stylistic fidelity, but much greater musical expression and beauty of tone than the typically "robust" methods of his rivals. His transcription of Bach's Flute Sonata #5 is inspired, and the contrapuntal bustle of the outer movements make the lyricism of the Andante even more poignant. Using pizzicato on the basses in this movement to delineate the harpsichord part is a small stroke of genius, and although he has liberally reworked or simplified the voicings in places, the final effect is as absorbing as the original score (cf flautist Rampal's version on Erato). Thankfully Russell's transcription has now been published, so the rest of us guitarists can enjoy playing it too. The only negative is the puzzling (analog tape?) hiss on the (supposedly digital) recording - how did that get in there? Don't be put off though, this is desert island material and definitely one of my Top Ten classical guitar recordings of all time!"

David Russell: the best!

Mike Shanahan | Honolulu, HI United States | 09/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Russell is the best classical guitarist in the world, and while I am thrilled that he now has a major label behind him, this Bach/Handel/Scarlatti disk from earlier times is an absolute masterpiece. The passacaglia from the Handel Suite-which I have heard on disc but also in several live performances-is one of the most breathtaking transcriptions ever. The slow movement of the Bach sonata is cut from the same cloth. David Russell is a genius, and my advice to any and all readers is: "buy this recording." My only caveats: 1. Amazon, please make it possible for browsers to hear the Handel passacaglia and Bach Andate on your site; 2. Someone out there, find some way to get David Russell's recording of Antonio Lauro back in circulation!Yours, Mike Shanahan"

Bach and Handel never sounded better!

Mike Shanahan | Honolulu, HI United States | 07/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While all of this recording is genius, there are two movements that show Mr. Russell's genius in a special light. 1. The Passacaglia from the Handel suite. Anyone who has heard Russell play this in concert needs at least 5 minutes to get her or his breath back. Perhaps the single most brilliant transcription in the world of solo guitar. (Though, in a field of many transciptions, there are many contentors for this honor.) 2. The Andante from the Bach suite. Without any irony, this is "a heartbreaking work of staggering genius." If you want clean playing, soulful performances, great musicality...David Russell is it, on guitar. -Shanahan"