Concerto No.1 In A Major For Guitar & String Orchestra, Op. 30: I. Allegro maestoso
Concerto No.1 In A Major For Guitar & String Orchestra, Op. 30: II. Andantino; Siciliano
Concerto No.1 In A Major For Guitar & String Orchestra, Op. 30: III. Rondo alla polacca
Today's guitar repertoire thrives on transcriptions, and this program makes for fascinating comparison for that very reason. The Giuliani is real guitar music. Williams plays it superbly, of course, and the composer's insp... more »iration in this work is high on charm, with the last two movements consisting of elegantly stylized dances. Schubert's sonata, however, here arranged for guitar and string orchestra, is another matter entirely. The problem is that the music makes no sense at all with a guitar as soloist. The instrument has none of the sustaining qualities of a viola or cello (instruments that take the part of the obsolete arpeggione in modern performances). And while lots of guitar music has been transcribed from piano originals, pitting a guitar version of the original piano part against a full string orchestra completely reverses Schubert's balance of tone, making hash of the musical argument. Don't get me wrong--it's not unpleasant in any way, and it is very well played. Fans of Williams who don't know Schubert's original might not care or notice anything wrong, and so it is to them that this disc can be most strongly recommended. --David Hurwitz« less
Today's guitar repertoire thrives on transcriptions, and this program makes for fascinating comparison for that very reason. The Giuliani is real guitar music. Williams plays it superbly, of course, and the composer's inspiration in this work is high on charm, with the last two movements consisting of elegantly stylized dances. Schubert's sonata, however, here arranged for guitar and string orchestra, is another matter entirely. The problem is that the music makes no sense at all with a guitar as soloist. The instrument has none of the sustaining qualities of a viola or cello (instruments that take the part of the obsolete arpeggione in modern performances). And while lots of guitar music has been transcribed from piano originals, pitting a guitar version of the original piano part against a full string orchestra completely reverses Schubert's balance of tone, making hash of the musical argument. Don't get me wrong--it's not unpleasant in any way, and it is very well played. Fans of Williams who don't know Schubert's original might not care or notice anything wrong, and so it is to them that this disc can be most strongly recommended. --David Hurwitz
CD Reviews
Living Legend
f_forgione@msn.com | New York | 05/05/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Williams is a living legend. Critics claim he lacks emotion but cannot dispute his flawless, superhuman technique. I only wish he would stop using that Smallman guitar for his all his recordings/performances. He does use a Gaetano Guadagnini from 1814 on this one for the Giuliani Concerto which sounds suprisingly good. John Williams is doing a tremendous amount for making guitar recordings accessible to non guitarists and for lending credibility to the guitar as a serious, magical and enchanting instrument. Bravo! Mr. Williams."
A bravo performance of joy and playfulness!
f_forgione@msn.com | 11/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"JOHN WILLIAMS' PERFORMANCE IS A JOYFUL DELIGHT! HIS SKILLFUL KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THE TONES OF HIS SMALLMAN GUITAR EMBRACES THE SHUBERT MUSIC, WHICH INVITE THE LISTENER TO HIS PASSIONATE LOVE OF THE GUITAR'S SWEET MUSIC. HE COMPLEMENTS THE AUSTRALIA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA'S VIVID AND SPARKLING ACCENTS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS RECORDING FOR WILLIAMS' OBVIOUS PASSION FOR THE MELODIC MUSIC OF SHUBERT AND GUILLIANI. IN THE ALBUM NOTES MR. WILLIAMS MENTIONS HIS AFFINITY FOR THE MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. FOR THE LISTENER, THIS RECORDING WILL ALWAYS BE A MEMORABLE EVENT. ENJOY THE MUSIC AND YOU MAY ACTUALLY BELIEVE YOU'RE THE GUITARIST! FOR 1999, THIS IS ONE OF THE GRANDEST CLASSICAL RECORDINGS. AS I LISTENED TO THIS RECORDING, I RECALLED IN MEMORY SEGOVIA'S RECORDING OF PONCE'S " CONCIERTO DEL SUR ". THE GAETANO GUADAGNINI GUITAR WAS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR THIS GUILIANI RECORDING. ONE SHARES THE INTIMATE SALON TEXTURES OF A GUITAR BY WILLIAMS' SOFT AND HARMONIC ADAGIO STYLE. THIS RECORDING IS A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, ENJOY THE FLIGHT THROUGHOUT THIS AND THE FORTHCOMING CENTURY."
Terrific music, superbly performed
Gontroppo | Bathurst, NSW Australia | 04/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Arpeggione Sonata of Schubert sounds terrific in this performance by John Williams and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. We were privileged to hear the piece performed live by these performers in Penrith [outer Sydney suburb] around the time that the CD was recorded. While "it's never the same unless you're there at the game" as football fans know, the recording is as good as a recording can be.Highly recommended."
Simple Mainstream Perfection
Will Kalif | Massachusetts | 12/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the kind of CD that transcends Classical Music and enters the mainstream as an example of what Classical Guitar can be. You don't have to be a Classical Music aficionado or a classical guitar buff to really appreciate this CD. It is a perfect example of the beauty and universal appeal of the classical guitar.
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1