GUITAR RECITAL
JOAQUIN RODRIGO En Los Trigales
JOAQUIN CLERCH Guitarresca
DARIUS MILHAUD Segoviana
LEO BROUWER Sonata, Hika
TORU TAKEMITSU Folios,
Equinox
FLORES CHAVIANO Sonata, Evocacion,
Boceto
FRANCISCO TÁRREGA Preludio No.2, Preludio
No.5
Ricardo Gallén -
Guitar
Naxos 8.554832
Crotchet
AmazonUK
AmazonUS
Apart from the well known Rodrigo and Tárrega pieces included on this
disc the remaining works must be some of the most adventurous that Naxos
has yet produced in their Guitar Collection Series. Most of the pieces were
composed towards the latter years of the 20th century.
At the heart of the disc are works by Leo Brouwer and Toru Takemitsu, two
composers held in high regard by guitarists and, in essence, reflect the
best of modern compositions for the instrument. The three movement "Sonata"
by Brouwer was commissioned by Julian Bream and it does seem that Brouwer
did accommodate Breams individual approach to contemporary playing in the
score. Nevertheless, Ricardo Gallén's rendition does show that the
dedicatee does not have the monopoly on interpretation and Gallén
presents us with his own solid vision of this powerful work. His grasp of
texture and tone colour are evident in his playing of "Folios" and "Equinox"
which are such an important ingredient in the music of Toru Takemitsu.
Probably the other most important composer included on this disc is Darius
Milhuad. At 4 minutes 17 seconds "Segoviana" can only give us a glimpse of
what Milhaud might have achieved given a broader canvas. As it is, it must
be regarded as one of the most significant pieces in the established modern
guitar repertoire.
Ricardo Gallén demonstrates a complete insight to all the music he
plays on this disc. The timbres he uses are always intelligently employed
(he milks the Tárrega to the limit, yet never to the extent of being
schmaltzy) producing most evocative playing. I returned to this disc not
in the capacity of a reviewer but to listen and enjoy it for its own sake;
it is a current favourite.
Andy Daly
