The most pleasing Bach recording I can imagine
Anthony Garcia | Oceanside, CA United States | 09/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Eduardo Egüez delivers us the the most intimate and musical interpretation of Bach's music I have ever heard.Marco Mencoboni of E Lucevan Le Stelle and Todd Garfinkle of MA Recordings present this 2 volume series of Bach music on lute. Both Mencoboni and Garfinkle, I believe, share similar recording techniques and philosophies. Recorded in an Italian monastery, the 2 volumes boast natural acoustics in a perfect acoustic setting.There is a natural reverb from the architecture of the monastery and I suggest in direct contradiction to the reviewer of volume 1 that it absolutely does not sound like a microphone was placed in the instrument. In fact, there are 2 microphones set at different distances from Egüez but in phase with one another. The monastery was chosen for the recording because of its acoustic qualities.Mencoboni and Garfinkle use the highest quality recording devices in existence. If you have a high end stereo system, you will not be able to stop listening to this recording.Egüez interprets with a masterful fusion of emotion and musical knowledge to present Bach in the most musical fashion I have ever heard. Many artists play Bach rather mechanically - Not Egüez. If you are reading this review you probably know that. I study flamenco and some classical guitar and this recording has inspired me to study Bach. I listen to it at least 10 times a week and every time I discover something new. Bach's sense of harmonic progression and counterpoint shine through and touch every emotion. If you would like to discover Bach for yourself, let this be your first cd - you will not be sorry.I believe this to be one the best recordings any artist could ever make.If music touches you, this recording wil be a favorite."
Eduardo Eguez' Volume 2 of the Lute Music of Johann Sebastia
M. Levitt - classical music buff | Philadelphia, PA | 01/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In my review of Eduardo Eguez' Lute Music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Volume I, I wrote that {Volume I} was as beautiful a recording of Bach's lute music as I have been privileged to hear.
The same comment holds true for Eduardo Eguez' The Lute Music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Volume Two.
In Volume 2, Eguez offers a cross section of Bach's lute music, performing the Partita no.4 (BWV 1006a), and transcriptions of the Sonata no.1 for Unaccompanied Violin, Cello Suite no. 1, and Prelude in C Minor, BWV 999. His playing
is both beautiful and warm, highly expressive, and so natural and spontaneous as to almost be the "standard" for everybody else as to how to play Bach. In terms of sound, I've never heard a lute sound so beautiful or rich unless it was Eguez' Volume 1 of the Lute Music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Both CDs are essential for guitarists/ lutenists serious about Bach, in addition to either lovers in general of Bach, Baroque music, the guitar or lute.
Strongest possible recommendation!!"
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1