These were recorded live when Segovia was sixty-three
years of age, and was most probably at the height of his powers (his
longevity would see him grace the concert platforms across the world
for almost a further thirty years). All the trademark ingredients are
present, the luxurious tones, from a transparent tasto to a biting
but never brittle ponticello, the perfectly weighted creamy vibrato
and the full range of dynamics that are possible on the guitar plus
that unmistakable phrasing. I suspect the instrument used here is the
famous guitar made by Hermann Hauser. Idiosyncratic, possibly but was
it not that which gave Segovia his allure and undisputable charm? Also,
one must remember that all great artists are products of their time
and place. This is hopefully with a view to shaping their art for future
generations, as Segovia obviously did, but their work is nevertheless
still of their own time. Segovia was no exception. This is why this
recording is such an excellent document of his playing when to all intents
and purposes he was the only classical guitarist with a truly international
status in the world.
For those who ever attended a Segovia concert the programme
follows a familiar pattern. He starts with "Six pieces" from
Vincenzo Galilei. These were a favourite opener of the maestro’s, even
up to the 1980s. His playing begins quietly, almost hesitantly, but
this is a tactic he employed to ensure total silence and attention from
his audience. When this is established he soon gives full rein to the
guitar’s sonorities, the confident technical execution and musical awareness
of the material are there for all to hear. The second half of the recital
includes some of the works written specially for Segovia by Alexandre
Tansman and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. These pieces come to life in
Segovia’s hands, in a way that guitarists have rarely managed to achieve
since.
Given its age, the recorded sound on this disc is very
good with only a small amount of background noise. The audience reaction
is enthusiastic, if a little eager. Often the last note of a piece is
still resonating when the applause bursts forth.
This disc is a must for the devotees of Segovia. It
captures a moment in time - the legend weaving his spell.
Andy Daly
Andrès Segovia
(guitar) 