Another in the RQR Series from PentaTone, resulting from quad master tapes Philips made in the 1970s and decided not to release on SQ or QS records because the technology was too problematic. So there’s no center channel but one doesn’t really miss it, and no listener would be moved to say “Aha, that’s a 1974 recording and sounds dated to me.”
Was surprised to find no notes provided on these two superb guitarists – part of the famous “Royal Family of the Guitar.” The Romero Family followed on the heels of Andres Segovia in aiding the revival of the classical guitar in the past century. Their recordings for Mercury Living Presence are legend, and they appeared in various combinations as well as soloist, some of them also doing flamenco guitar recordings.
Giuliani is closely associated with the six-string classical guitar which was invented in 1800. He spent most of his life in Vienna, to whom he introduced the classical guitar. His three-movement concerto is in classical style with the second and third movements both being dance forms: Siciliano and Polonaise. Rodrigo’s Concerto for Two Guitars was written after his well-known Concierto de Aranjuez and is structured as a suite, with ten movements of different dance forms.
Both works are tuneful, Spanish-flavored music distinguished by the seasoned playing of the Romeros.
– John Sunier
