Search - James Galway, Yamashita, Mata :: James Galway Plays Rodrigo: with Kazuhito Yamashita

Little known but by far the best Aranjuez ever recorded

06/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a precious few recordings of Yamashita still available in the West. From the first sound of Aranjuez, it is evident that no other guitarist - including those top-selling ones like JW and GB - could ever dream to match this Japanese guitarist, who has now retreated into obscurity having virtually stopped his performing career for many years now. Back in the 80s, Yamashita started a glamorous career which he well deserved, including a tour with Galway. However, he could play so much better than all other guitarists that he became the target of a type of character assassination which would not have been possible if the world of the classical guitar had been as open as that of other major instruments... Anyway, if you have any doubt about what I have said, this recording speaks itself."