CD1
Franz SCHUBERT
Ständchen
Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY
Auf Flügeln des Gesanges
Robert SCHUMANN
Träumerei (From: Kindersszenen)
Frederick CHOPIN
Waltz Op. 69 No. 1
J.S. BACH/Charles GOUNOD
Ave Maria
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
Pimpinella Op. 38 No. 6
Johannes BRAHMS
Waltz in A flat major Op. 39 No. 15
Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY
Frühlingslied
Franz SCHUBERT
An die Musik
Robert SCHUMANN
Bittendes Kind (From: Kindersszenen)
Fürchtenmachen (From: Kindersszenen)
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
Adagio WoO 43/2
Franz LISZT
Liebestraum
Manuel ROCAMORA
Mazurka
P. ROCH
Waltz
Scottish
Polka
J. KOSSOVITS
Lassu Magyar (Slow dance)
J. PFEIFFER
Adagio after Bihari
Allegro after Bihari
Francesco TARREGA
Caprice Arabe
Danza Odalisca
Dániel Benkö (guitar)
No recording dates or locations given.
|
CD2
Enrique GRANADOS
Danza española No. 5
Miguel LLOBET
Cancion popular Catalan
Fernando SOR
Estudio V
Estudio XII
Francisco TARREGA
Danza mora
Federico Moreno TORROBA
Notturno
Eduardo Sainz de la MAZA
Zapateado
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS
Etude No. 11
Eduardo Sainz de la MAZA
Bolero
Estrella DEL MAR
(Trad)
CANTICO
(Trad)
Quirpa GUATIRENA
(Trad)
Joachin RODRIGO
En los trigales
Isaac ALBENIZ
Asturias (Leyenda)
Torre bermeja
Granada
Sevilla
Zambra granadina
Enrique GRANADOS
La maja de Goya
Eduardo Sainz de la MAZA
Campanas del Alba
El Vita
Habanera
Boeeto Andaluz |
The marketing information
from Brilliant Classics states that,
"the guitar is particularly an
instrument for romantic music: it appeals
both to classical music fans and popular
music lovers." Consequently Brilliant
Classics see this release as having
very wide cross-over audience potential
and I agree. On this double CD set well-known
melodies arranged for the guitar from
the great composers such as Beethoven,
Schubert, Mendelssohn, Brahms et
al are effectively blended together
with a selection of beautiful original
guitar works by Spanish composers.
On
the first CD the guitar soloist is Hungarian
Daniel Benko of whom it has been said,
"is perhaps mid-Europe's best kept
musical secret, a virtuoso equally at
home playing bossa novas on a classical
guitar, or gracefully rendering the
masterpieces of the Renaissance and
the Baroque era on period instruments."
Benko is a successful recording artist
playing an amazing seven different stringed
instruments on one release and is equally
at home in the concert hall. In this
super recital Benko is on top form and
I particularly enjoyed the delightful
and expressive performances of the Beethoven
Adagio WoO 43/3 and Schubert’s
An die Musik.
On the second CD prize
winning Venezuelan soloist Alirio Diaz
plays a exciting recital of Spanish
guitar music. An ex-pupil of the great
Segovia, the soloist has been a frequent
visitor to the recording studio and
is a well regarded performer in international
concert halls. In a fine performance,
which is extremely natural with the
feel of a ‘live’ recital, I particularly
enjoyed Diaz’s warm and intimate interpretation
in the five Albeniz works.
The engineers have
done a fine job with the sound quality
although the booklet notes are none
existent. At super-budget price this
release from Brilliant Classics is a
steal and there are manifold rewards
in store.
Michael Cookson
Alirio Diaz (guitar) 
