Naxos, as part of their
continuing Guitar Collection Series,
have released a welcome selection of
guitar works from nine Latin-American
composers. The composers Astor Piazzolla
and Leo Brouwer will be known to many
listeners and maybe Maximo Pujol too.
However the majority of these composers,
I feel sure, are little known outside
their home countries.
Argentinean composer
Astor Piazzolla controversially transformed
the tango to a high musical art-form
and is currently extremely popular.
Piazzolla’s two compositions which open
and conclude this release are classy
works with immediate appeal and have
been transcribed for guitar by Ricardo
Cobo. La muerte del angel is
rhythmic and sultry, jazzy and urban
in feel while the contrasting Primavera
portena displays invention and agitation.
Leo Brouwer, the accomplished
Cuban composer is represented on this
release by the marvellous Un dia
de Noviembre. The simple Lennon
and McCartney-like melody is beautiful
and very memorable. Nocturnal-sounding
the work could be used in a soundtrack
to a film and the listener will be whistling
the tune for hours. Also of note is
the haunting piece Stella australis
from Argentinean composer Maximo
Diego Pujol which is particularly dreamy
and reflective in nature.
The guitar soloist
Colombia-born Ricardo Cobo we are told
has won an unprecedented number of first
prizes in international competitions
and is recognised as being one of the
world’s leading players of the new classical
guitar generation. Cobo who is now based
in Las Vegas has performed at some of
the world’s leading music venues and
is busy carving out a career for himself
on the world stage.
In the booklet notes
Cobo explains how the guitar is inextricably
woven into the soul of Latin-American
music and has a long tradition since
its arrival from Iberia in Europe. Ricardo
Cobo’s wonderful guitar playing is absolutely
breathtaking at times and on the showing
of this recital he is destined for significant
international acclaim.
The sound quality of
this Naxos recording is simply excellent,
exceptionally clear and beautifully
detailed. Ricardo Cobo combines an infectious
freshness, a depth of emotional involvement
and an empathic understanding of the
composer’s intention behind the notes.
Michael Cookson
Ricardo Cobo (guitar) 
