CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO: Music for Two Guitars Vol. 1 = Sonatina Canonica; The Well-Tempered Guitars, 24 Preludes & Fugues – Brasil Guitar Duo – Naxos

by | Nov 23, 2008 | Classical CD Reviews | 0 comments

CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO: Music for Two Guitars Vol. 1 = Sonatina Canonica; The Well-Tempered Guitars, 24 Preludes & Fugues – Brasil Guitar Duo – Naxos 8.570778, 66:48 *****:

Italian composer Castelnuovo-Tedesco was introduced to Andres Segovia in 1932 and as a result ended up composing over one hundred works for the guitar, of which his WT two guitars is one of his masterpieces. Inspired by Bach’s WTC, the composer organized his own preludes and fugues using major and minor keys in a cycle of rising fifths. He also wrote the work as a sort of diary recording his moods and attitudes during this time. Having the two guitars offers some of the same control of the different melodic lines as Bach had on the double-manual harpsichord.

The Sonatina Canonica shares with the WT Guitars an emphasis on counterpoint.  The three contrasting movements have lyrical as well as humorous passages. Sonics are first rate, and the interplay of the two guitars is a delight if you are situated properly between your speakers or listening on headphones.  There is also an extra of a free downloadable track by the guitar duo.  The note booklet gives you a code which you enter on the Naxos web site to download a performance of the first movement of Sor’s Divertissement Op. 38.

 – John Sunier

Related Reviews
Logo Pure Pleasure
Logo Crystal Records Sidebar 300 ms
Logo Jazz Detective Deep Digs Animated 01