Music of Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Vivaldi, Turina, and
Boccherini. Sharon Isbin, guitar; Pacifica Quartet. Cedille CDR 90000 190.
By John J. Puccio
Sharon Isbin is an American classical guitarist, the
founding director of the guitar department at the Juilliard School, a winner of
multiple Grammy Awards, and a soloist with over 200 orchestras throughout the
world. In other words, she knows what she’s doing. She began studying the
guitar at the age of nine, she has recorded well over two dozen albums since
her recording debut in 1978, and she has been going strong ever since.
Ms. Isbin is accompanied on the album Souvenirs of
Spain and Italy by the Pacifica Quartet: Simin Ganatra, violin; Austin
Hartman, violin; Mark Holloway, viola; and Brandon Vamos, cello. They perform
four pieces by Spanish and Italian composers, giving us a little taste of both
countries. To say that the performances are polished and sparkling would be an
understatement.
First up on the agenda is the Quintet for Guitar and
String Quartet, written in 1950 by the Italian composer, writer, and
pianist Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968). The composer described himself
as “anti-modernist,” so the listener needn’t worry that we’re getting anything
noisy, atonal, or avant-garde. In fact, the four movements are lovely, lyrical,
with a poignant melody in the Andante. Ms. Isbin’s guitar playing is
light and delicate when needed and robust in the finale.
Next up is the Concerto in D Major, written in the
1730s by Italian composer, violinist, teacher, impresario, and priest Antonio
Vivaldi (1678-1741). He originally wrote it for lute, strings, and continuo,
but here we find it arranged and edited for guitar and strings by Emilio Pujol
and Sharon Isbin. It sounds typically Vivaldi, although Ms. Isbin and her
friends play it perhaps a shade more subtly, more gracefully than one usually
hears from this composer.
After that is La oracion del torero for string quartet
(“The Bullfighters Prayer”), written in 1925 and reworked in 1936 by Spanish
composer Joaquin Turina (1882-1949). It’s a single, short piece, about eight
minutes long, with a varying and colorful character. The quartet plays it alone
with color and character, a sweetly engaging performance.
The program closes with the Quintet for Guitar and
String quartet No. 4 in D Major “Fandango,” transcribed by the Italian
composer and cellist Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) from his own earlier quintet.
It’s an elegant, flowing piece that was, for me, the highlight of an excellent
set, combining the best of Italy and Spain. It makes an attractive way to end
an entirely winning disc.
Producer Judith Sherman and engineer Bill Maylone recorded
the music at Auer Hall, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana in January
2019. The sound is a trifle close-up, but it doesn’t distract from the music.
The spacing of the players is especially distinct, and the instruments display
good detail and clarity without a trace of brightness or hardness. It’s sound
that should appeal to everyone, from audiophiles to earbud wearers.
JJP
To listen to a brief excerpt from this album, click below:
Boccherini. Sharon Isbin, guitar; Pacifica Quartet. Cedille CDR 90000 190.
By John J. Puccio
founding director of the guitar department at the Juilliard School, a winner of
multiple Grammy Awards, and a soloist with over 200 orchestras throughout the
world. In other words, she knows what she’s doing. She began studying the
guitar at the age of nine, she has recorded well over two dozen albums since
her recording debut in 1978, and she has been going strong ever since.
Ms. Isbin is accompanied on the album Souvenirs of
Spain and Italy by the Pacifica Quartet: Simin Ganatra, violin; Austin
Hartman, violin; Mark Holloway, viola; and Brandon Vamos, cello. They perform
four pieces by Spanish and Italian composers, giving us a little taste of both
countries. To say that the performances are polished and sparkling would be an
understatement.
First up on the agenda is the Quintet for Guitar and
String Quartet, written in 1950 by the Italian composer, writer, and
pianist Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968). The composer described himself
as “anti-modernist,” so the listener needn’t worry that we’re getting anything
noisy, atonal, or avant-garde. In fact, the four movements are lovely, lyrical,
with a poignant melody in the Andante. Ms. Isbin’s guitar playing is
light and delicate when needed and robust in the finale.
1730s by Italian composer, violinist, teacher, impresario, and priest Antonio
Vivaldi (1678-1741). He originally wrote it for lute, strings, and continuo,
but here we find it arranged and edited for guitar and strings by Emilio Pujol
and Sharon Isbin. It sounds typically Vivaldi, although Ms. Isbin and her
friends play it perhaps a shade more subtly, more gracefully than one usually
hears from this composer.
After that is La oracion del torero for string quartet
(“The Bullfighters Prayer”), written in 1925 and reworked in 1936 by Spanish
composer Joaquin Turina (1882-1949). It’s a single, short piece, about eight
minutes long, with a varying and colorful character. The quartet plays it alone
with color and character, a sweetly engaging performance.
The program closes with the Quintet for Guitar and
String quartet No. 4 in D Major “Fandango,” transcribed by the Italian
composer and cellist Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) from his own earlier quintet.
It’s an elegant, flowing piece that was, for me, the highlight of an excellent
set, combining the best of Italy and Spain. It makes an attractive way to end
an entirely winning disc.
Producer Judith Sherman and engineer Bill Maylone recorded
the music at Auer Hall, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana in January
2019. The sound is a trifle close-up, but it doesn’t distract from the music.
The spacing of the players is especially distinct, and the instruments display
good detail and clarity without a trace of brightness or hardness. It’s sound
that should appeal to everyone, from audiophiles to earbud wearers.
JJP
To listen to a brief excerpt from this album, click below:
