Most Favourite Recording Ever!!!

[edwardcav]

I am looking more music to acquire - and we are now priveldged to be in an era where there are hundereds if not thousands of excellent recordings floating around. This post will also be interesting - when two or more of the same recording pops up. So list your 5 top recordings! You don't have to but I'll do it and hope others follow...

1) Mangore: Sueno en la Floresta (John Williams / Seville Concert)
2) Tarrega: Recuerdos de la alhmabra (Pepe romero)
3) Mangore: Una Limosna Por El Amor De Dios (John Williams)
4) Torroba: Romanza de los pinos (Andrés Segovia + Carlos Montoya live / gold collection)
5) 4 variations on twinkle twinkle (Los angeles guitar quartet)

Maybe not necessarily in that order but it's hard! Chip in everyone...

[edwardcav]

Come on, it's not hard. And those 15 people who have viewed this post without reply: you have no excuse... I thought it would be interesting :(

[tzzbee]

My top five favorite guitar recordings would be something like:

Bach: Chaconne (John Williams, now available in Sony Essential Classics series)
Albeniz: Asturias (John Williams, the older recording on the Fleta)
Bach: Fugue in A minor (Julian Bream)
Weiss: Tombeau sur la mort de M. Comte de Logy (Bream)
Ponce: Preambulo and Allegro vivo (Parkening)

But, as always with a list like this, it's hard to pick only five.

[edwardcav]

thanks tzzbee. exactly what i was after! 5 recordings i have never before heard! anyone else?

[jens]

1) Bach : Lute suites (John Williams)
2) Rodrigo : Tres piezas espanolas (Frank Bungarten)
3) Rodrigo : Elogio de la guitarra (Frank Bungarten)
4) Turina : Sonata in d (Barrueco)
5) Villa-Lobos : 12 etudes (Tilman Hoppstock)

If you wonder "Who the heck is Frank Bungarten?", then have a look at www.frankbungarten.de. He is a great German guitarist.

[Jonny Hotnuts]

Op 47 No 3 Suite Española - Sevilla (Sevillanas) - Isaac Albéniz

Canzonetta del Quartet - Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

BWV 1004 - Chaconne - Violin Partita No 2 in Dm - JS Bach

La Maja De Goya (Tonadilla No 7) - Enrique Granados

Sarabande in Dm - George Frederic Handel


All recordings by Segovia or other masters.
Also really like all the Castles of Spain by Torroba
so Torroba Castles Of Spain; V. Alcaniz (Festiva) is an honnorable mention

[nikpearson]

Hmmm, tricky one but I'll try.....

1) Guitarra Espanola - Narciso Yepes - 5 cd's of wonderful guitar music - He may not be so fashionable these days but stands comparison with the best.

2) Rodrigo Concert Aranjuez/Fantasia para un Gentilhombre/Villa-lobos Guitar Concerto - Goran Solscher - Lovely playing with one of the great orchestras of the day.

3) John Williams - Vivaldi Concertos - the maestro plays the maestro.

4) 19th Century Guitar Favourites - Naxos - Norbert Kraft - The Recuerdos de la Alhambra is the cleanest and most moving version I've heard.

5) Most of Julian Bream's analogue recordings from the 60's & 70's - his later digital efforts are usually marred by a very poor recorded guitar sound - thin and agressive.

This will no doubt change by the end of the week....lol

Nick

[Keelor]

I can't list 5 recordings... Because I have difficulty with making choices. :D
But I can give you one advice.

I love Bach's Suites. The best interpretation of Bach's Lute works hasn't been made by an guitarist, but... by a lutenist. :D
I have never found a better recording than Hopkinson Smith's recording... Even Bream or Williams are worse than him.

So if you want to hear the most beautiful renaissance or baroque recordings, remember these names : Paul O'Dette and Hopkinson Smith. :)

[classicalmark]

Greetings friends,

Edward, I think the reason for the lack of response to this post is that it is difficult to narrow down your favorites to a mere five selections! I know I myself have been reluctant to participate in this thread for that very reason and like Nick stated above it’ll probably change by the end of the week.

Well here goes nothing;

1. Vals No. 3, Op. 8 (Barrios) – John Williams; From The Jungles Of Paraguay
2. Gran Jota de Concierto (Tarrega) – Liona Boyd; The Spanish Album
3. Chaconne from Violin Partita no.2 (Bach) - Andres Segovia; The Legendary Andres Segovia in an All – Bach Program
4. Capriccio No. 24, Op. 1 (Paganini) - John Williams; Guitar Recital
5. Estudio Brillante (Tarrega) – Christpher Parkening; The Great Recordings

Is that five already?

Respectfully,
Mark

[Rationbook]

1. Sergio & Odair Assad play Rameau, Scarlatti, Couperin, Bach
2. The Guitar Trio: Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin
3. Mysterious Habitats, Dusan Bogdanovic
4. flamenco puro, Merengue de Cordoba
5. Paco de Lucia, interpreta a Manuel de Falla

[portlandgreg2]

Nearly impossible task! I'll pick less popular songs for interest sake.

1) Balleto by M.M. Ponce, performed by ? on a Naxos CD anthology of Ponce.

2) Venetian Boat Song from Songs Without Words, Op. 19, No. 6 by F. Mendelssohn, performed by J. Bream on Romantic Guitar.

3) Preludio from Suite Compostellana by F. Mompou, performed by J. Bream on JBE, Volume 13.

4) Farewell to Stromness by M. Davies, performed by LAGQ.

5) Marionas by S. de Murcia, performed by Rosario Cicero on Guitart CD Danzas de Rasgueado y Punteado.

[Mikey]

In no particular order....
1. Bach-Chaconne in Dm-Christopher Parkening
2. Rodrigo-Invocacion y Danse-Scott Tennant
3. Ponce-Concierto del Sur-Segovia
4. Bach-Lute Suite IV-John Williams
5. Vicente Asencio-Col.Lectici Intim-Denis Azabagic

Mikey.

[Jonny Hotnuts]

Look 3 P-town posts in a row!!! :D

You would almost think there was a thriving classical community in Portland.


I agree with Mikey too, felt bad about not including Bach-Chaconne in Dm
Starts off slow and turns into insanity.......
Want to learn it but it is so long (My version is 13:50)
Maybe someday.
:lol:

[keith]

5 i would take to the desert island

1. sabicas: puerto de malaga
2. sanlucar: oracion
3. paco: cepa andaluza
4. john williams: leyenda
5. john williams: koyunbaba

[classicalmark]

Hey Jonny,
Look At # 3 on my list.
Mark

[edwardcav]

Hey kieth,

What CD is sanlucar: oracion from? And also, what CD is JW's Koyunbaba?

Saw the video footage of Koyunbaba, must say I wasn't impressed. For such a long piece of music, it doesn't capture my imagination like most other pieces of the same length like the works of Albeniz and Barrios.

But JW usually turns me onto anything, without sounding demented - I just like his interpretations of music.

[portlandgreg2]

Keith,

I saw Christopher Parkening perform movement IV of Koyunbaba as his second encore piece during a concert with the Oregon Symphony this past season. We hold season tickets and I'll tell you, even though artists like Joshua Bell also made solo appearances last year, no one garnered such a loud, long, and appreciative standing ovation as Parkening did for his performance.

People might knock him for his virtuosic tendencies, but he brought the house down with his performance of Fantasia Para un Gentilhombre by Rodrigo, his first encore, Canarios by Gaspar Sanz (which Fantasia is inspired by), and by Koyunbaba.

[steve v]

Edward,

William's recording of Koyunbaba is on the CD The Guitarist, which was issued in 1998. It's a very good CD.

[Jonny Hotnuts]

Hey CM I am such a tard!
I DID list it in my top 5!!!!!
It looks like more people listed it than any other single song....could this mean it is the best song ever!

[keith]

hey edwardcav: oracion is on the c.d. tauromagua (spelling may be slightly off but i think this is close--my c.d. is at home). as i understand it, the c.d. it is a concept c.d. about bull fighting. i think this piece may reflect the moments before the fight when the fighter is in the chapel praying.

the c.d. is great but oracion is spine chilling--especially the tremelo.

as to koyunbaba: it is very hypnotic piece and is different from other long pieces in that respect. if you listen to it in the dark with the intent to being pulled into another dimension, the piece works great. having taken the time and effort to play it myself, i really do enjoy getting lost in the music for the 13 minutes--sure beats watching "reality t.v. shows".

[classicalmark]

Jonny,

It looks like more people listed it than any other single song....could this mean it is the best song ever!

Hmmm...You may be inciting the next big debate.

Mark

[keith]

to add fuel to the debate. i recall seeing this information a couple of years ago and pulled up the info. it is a survey of favorite: pieces, performers, guitars, etc. enjoy

http://home.hiwaay.net/~marklong/class/results.htm

[Gus]

It is very hard choosing just 5 pieces....ones views change depending upon what you're studying at this point in time.......I'm working out some Barrios pieces so naturally a couple of his went in the list.

1. Julian Bream....Choros No.1..Villa-Lobos from "Popular classics for Spanish Guitar".
2. John Williams...Catedral (Allegro Solemne)...Barrios
3. Julian Bream and George Malcolm playing Fandango - Boccherini
4. John Williams....Julia Florida....Barrios
5. John Williams....Adagio from Concierto de Aranjuez.

[pmremes]

hey guys, i've been mostly just reading all the good things you all have to say for a few months, but i'll throw down a couple of my favorites.

choro da saudade- barrios/Alexander-Sergei Ramirez/ confesion
una limosna por el amor de dios- barrios/williams/classic williams
rio de la miel - paco de lucia/Luzia
inspiracion - gypsy kings/forgot which album it is
koyunbaba- domenici/williams/the guitarist

that disc by paco de lucia, luzia, is one of my favorites of all time. he's got a tour in the next couple months, i have tickets to see him at duke on feb 22. i'm so pumped
phil

[edwardcav]

I wish that big names would consider coming down to Australia once in a while. We have a load of local talent down here, and it wouldn't do our thriving classical guitar community in Oz any harm if a few big names of both flamenco and classical genres gave a recital or two.

Gus: Interesting that you like JW's take on Concierto de Aranjuez. I assume, because you have only chosen Adagio, that the recording you are referring to is the one from the seville concert? Personally, I find JW's take on CDA somewhat soulless. And his Smallman guitar clearly brings something more to classical guitar music, but for a concierto of spanish origin - the single most famous guitar concierto ever (debatable) - I can't look past a spaniard playing a spanish guitar.

Look for all threee movements by Pepe romero with St.Martin in the fields.

[Gus]

I will look for Romero's performance of Aranjuez. I was referring to the Seville Concert CD with regards to JW. Sharon Isbin has put out a nice performance of it too. I suppose Bream in the Guitarra Cd and DVD has some "Soul" in it too but as you say not the Spanish soul that's needed. These are the versions I've been listening to the most......I must expand my listening.

[Sia]

I usually don't like to compare favorites because I have way too many. The following pieces are all tied for first place:

1. Joaquin Rodrigo, Concierto de Aranjuez (Alexandre Lagoya)
2. Ernesto Lecuona, Malaguena (Liona Boyd)
3. Isaac Albeniz, Cordoba (John Williams)
4. Francisco Tarrega, Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Liona Boyd)
5. Heitor Villa Lobos, Etude No. 11 (Christopher Parkening)

[lawcch]

Hi, Guy
I love the following ablums from the guitar masters;
1. Paco de Lucia, John Laughlin, Al Di Melo: Friday Night In SAN FRANCISCO
2. Wind , Fire and Passion by the above guitar trio.
3. Jesse Cook: Gravity and other ablums too.
4. John Williams's ablums
5. Julian Bream
6. Kuzihito Yamashita (talented and very quick guitarist)
I think it's very difficult to list the guitar masters in the guitar music world.
There are many good guitarists unknown to most guitarists due to lack of promotions of their ablums like getting contract sign with famous music ablum producers. Therefore, these guitarists should go to get sponsors to promote their ablums in different label, like NAXOS and the price is cheaper compared to other famous label.
Regards, Lawrence Chong

[Sean]

I've never really thought about individual pieces as favorite recordings, but here would be my favorites...

Serenade for a Summer's Evening...Liona Boyd (Passport to Serenity)
Sonata (Leo Brouwer) as recorded by Bream on Nocturnal
Tansman's Mazurka as recorded by Segovia on Granada
Cardoso's Milonga as recorded by Gerald Garcia on Latin American Guitar Festivaland Barrios' Valse as recorded by Liona Boyd on the First Lady of the Guitar

sean

[mija]

Just wanted to add: There are no good recordings of Williams or Bream. These guys do not know what they are doing. They just recorded so much because they the only ones around that could play that staff. But when we ask if they have any idea about music, we have to say no!!! Same with Yepes, his recordings of Tárrega only work as bad exmples for students. Still, every single recording of Segovia is good.

[edwardcav]

Man thats your opinion.

Be careful how you word it.

I think there are no good recordings of Segovia. I think the same about him, because he was the only one at the time to be able to play that repertoire. Now there are 100s of talente guitarists who can play the works - JW being the most distinguished.

Our opinions are totally different. That doesn't make one more right, and one wrong.

[Faya]

Boy this is a hard one for me. hope they don't have to be guitar.
1) Paco de Lucia : El duende flamenco de Paco de Lucia.
2) All Sibelius.
3) Beethoven : Symphony # 9 "choral "
4) All the best from Japan : popular Kyoto melodies.
5) All Hossam Ramzy.
Just to point out a few. I could make a list of thousands if I had to.

[edwardcav]

In no particular order....
5. Vicente Asencio-Col.Lectici Intim-Denis Azabagic.


Hi Mikey, I have the CD with this suite on it. Isn't it fantastic? To tell you the truth however, I bought the CD after seeing/hearing him play variations on carnival in venice, which is the album's highlight if you ask me.

And aires de la mancha - i love torroba and this is such a fantastic version of this.

anyone else?

[absmiths]

I think we have strayed somewhat from the original topic. My 5 favorite pieces (at this instant) are:

1 - Bach, Sheep May Safely Graze - Christopher Parkening, Parkening Plays Bach
2 - Castelnuovo-Tedesco, A Platero en el Cielo De Moguer - Segovia, Complete Segovia
3 - Bach, Praeludium - Christopher Parkening, Simple Gifts
4 - York, Jubilation - Christopher Parkening, Angel's Glory
5 - Ponce, Four Preludes - Christopher Parkening, In The Spanish Style.

There you have it. If I made the list again, it would be different.

[absmiths]

I think there are no good recordings of Segovia. I think the same about him, because he was the only one at the time to be able to play that repertoire.

Edward, just because the one-post wonder-troll makes a ridiculously absurd statement doesn't mean that another absurd statement is required in retaliation. No guitarist is the best or the worst at anything. This includes Williams, Segovia, Bream, Yepes, Tennant - even Parkening. Segovia has done wonderful things, including establishing by defacto the standard by which many concert pieces are played. When I approach a new piece, I listen to as many different performers as I can, and take what I like from each.

A very credible criticism of Segovia's recordings, however, is the quality of the equipment. That is one reason that so many modern performers sound better. I doubt whether the recordings of Barrios, Williams or Bream from the same time period would fare much better.

[Peach4091]

5 that spring to mind right now:

Nocturnal - Britten, Kazuhito Yamashita

Songe Capricorne - Dyens

Blue Guitar - Tippett, Norbert Kraft

24th Caprice - Paganini, Xufei Yang

Koyunbaba - Domeniconi, Antigoni Goni

This will change in 10 min I'm sure

[Grek]

How about Eduardo Fernandez's Villa-Lobos album? Love his Cinq Preludes on that one. Also love Bream's "Aria Detta La Frescobalda" by Frescobaldi. Goni's Koyunbaba (on Naxos), Bream's Suite Compostelana (by Mompou) on his Segovia cd, as well as his Fandanguillo (Turina) on Guitarra.

Greg

[jay]

here's mine.
1 bach chaconne in Dm played by J.W. segovia R.Belluci
2 suenjo tremolo piece tarrega played by Maria Luisa Anido
3 seis por derecho antonio lauro Alirio Diaz
4 maxixe barrios by the man himself
5 scarlatti sonata k213 John Williams

if i too had to make this list it would be somewhat different
maybe we should do such list every week see wich song stays in the list