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7 of 7 recommend this,
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Label:
  Linn Records - http://www.linnrecords.com/
Serial:
  CKD 343
Title:
  Sor: Early works for guitar - William Carter
Description:
  Fernando Sor: Introduction and Variations on a Theme by Mozart, Op. 9; Nobilities Concerts op. 9; Menuette op. 3, op. 5 Nr. 3, op. 11 Nr. 4-8 & op. 24 Nr. 1; Studios for the Spanish Guitar op. 6 Nr. 2, 8, 9, 11, 12; Grand Solo op. 14

William Carter (guitar)
Track listing:
 
Genre:
  Classical - Instrumental
Content:
  Stereo/Multichannel
Media:
  Hybrid
Recording type:
 
Recording info:
  Recorded at St Martin's Church, East Woodhay, UK on the 12th - 13th January 2009
Produced and engineered by Philip Hobbs
Post production by Julia at Finesplice
SACD authoring by BK Audio

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Related titles: 2


 
Reviews: 3

Site review by Polly Nomial April 23, 2010
Performance:   Sonics:  
The text for this review has been moved to the new site. You can read it here:

http://www.HRAudio.net/showmusic.php?title=6345#reviews

Site review by Geohominid April 12, 2010
Performance:   Sonics:    
The text for this review has been moved to the new site. You can read it here:

http://www.HRAudio.net/showmusic.php?title=6345#reviews

Review by Michelten January 2, 2011 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
This record is a phenomenal achievement, most inspiring and enjoyable. Carter has produced a collection that is representative of classic Spanish guitar as it was possibly performed in the early XIX century: a stunning piece of work! I will briefly cite two reasons supporting this strong positive opinion, which differs from other critics in this forum.

First, the selection includes some wonderful F. Sor’s works including studies, minuets and other concert pieces. As Carter writes “Sor’s guitar music is some of the finest ever written for the instrument”. I would add that these works also bring to light a not so well known period in Spanish classical music, very much aligned with early XIX century contemporaries and with the schools of instrumental virtuosity (sadly, many listeners have for a long time stereotyped Spanish music as one just associated to the over popular transcriptions of Spanish regional and flamenco dances...).

Second, this record brings an exquisite approach to classical guitar playing that is seldom found in guitar recordings: plucking the strings with the fingertips, and not with the fingernails. As others here have already emphasized, it results in lesser dynamic range, but as Carter writes “softer but more vocal in quality”, or as Sor writes in his method highlighting fingertip playing attributes over fingernail: “nails can produce but very few gradations in the quality of the sound”.

Linn’s recording is able to capture with excruciating detail all the complex soft timbres produced by the fingertip playing, which in my opinion would fail to register in redtape CD's or other lower sampling frequency recording techniques. In fact, this is a good example that SACD is not just about capturing dynamic range, but also complex overtones from softer playing and lesser aggressive attack sounds.

Just to conclude, this record is about classic guitar at its best. If you are looking for the typical “temperamental” Spanish guitar music, you may be dissappointed, and as others write, you may find it “bland" “...robs the notes of life...” “with lack of imagination”, but if you are truly into classic guitar, or wish to explore what fine guitar playing is about, this record is an absolute must. I just wish Carter continues with this same approach further into the classic guitar repertoire.

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Works: 7  

Fernando Sor - 12 Studies for the Spanish Guitar, Op. 6
Fernando Sor - 2 Varied Themes and 12 Minuets, Op. 11
Fernando Sor - 6 Short Pieces, Op. 5
Fernando Sor - 8 Short Pieces, Op. 24
Fernando Sor - Grand Solo, Op. 14 "Sonata Prima"
Fernando Sor - Introduction and Variations on a Theme by Mozart, Op. 9
Fernando Sor - Varied Themes & Minuets, Op. 3