Deutsche Grammophon
2002
Various Composers
Art of Segovia
About This Album
Anyone who loves the classical guitar must also love Andrés Segovia -- even if he/she doesn't know it yet. He is credited with garnering -- almost single-handedly -- big-league status for the plucky six-string, and virtually every modern player stands on the foundation of his legacy. Anyone wanting to hear why this is true would do well to start with Deutsche Grammophon's lovingly prepared The Art of Segovia, which pays tribute to both his playing and his tireless repertory building. His performances of guitar staples by Sor, Torroba, and Rodrigo are coupled here with his nimble transcriptions of works for keyboard, cello, violin -- even string quartet -- by Bach, Handel, César Franck, Mendelssohn, and others; these two elements combine to give as complete a picture as possible (considering the limitations of space on a modest two-disc set) of his technique and ingenuity, and of course his grasp of the guitar's possibilities. Audiophiles won't find ideal sound here; many of the tracks were recorded monaurally, and the performances seem a little unkempt next to airbrushed digital equivalents. But this is what makes it so interesting; you can practically see his fingers intuitively working their way across the instrument, and the occasional squeak or buzz only makes the experience more vivid. The many highlights include Fernando Sor's Theme and Variations on a Theme from The Magic Flute and Segovia's transcription of the Prélude to Bach's Suite No. 1 for Cello, both of which sound intricate and easy. One of the few disappointments is the Sarabande from Handel's Suite No. 4 for Harpsichord; it, more than any other transcription here, sounds homesick for its native instrument. But this is nitpicking. These performances convey an infectious love and understanding of the guitar that is a joy to experience. ~ Allen Schrott, All Music Guide
Track List

Disc 1

Francisco Tárrega (Y Eixea) Recuerdos De La Alhambra, For Guitar
1.
Capricho Árabe, For Guitar
2.
Marieta, Mazurka For Guitar
3.
Federico Moreno Torroba Romanza De Los Piños, For Guitar
4.
Madroños For Guitar
5.
Serenata Burlesca
6.
Fernando Sor Introduction, Theme, & Variations On A Theme From Mozart's "The Magic Flute, " For Guitar, Op. 9
7.
Manuel de Falla Homenaje Pour "Le Tombeau De Claude Debussy," For Guitar, G. 56
8.
Manuel Ponce Thème, Varié Et Finale For Guitar
9.
Canción Mexicana No. X
10.
Joaquín Turina Sevillana, Fantasia For Guitar, Op. 29
11.
Joaquín Rodrigo Zarabanda Lejana, For Guitar ("Homenaje A Luis De Milán")
12.
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco Capriccio Diabolico, For Guitar ("Omaggio A Paganini"), Op. 85
13.
Tonadilla On The Name Of Andrés Segovia, For Guitar, Op. 170/5
14.
Heitor Villa-Lobos Prelúdio, For Guitar No. 1 In E Minor, A. 419/1
15.
Prelúdio, For Guitar No. 3 In A Minor, A. 419/3
16.
Carlos Pedrell Guitarreo, For Guitar
17.
Albert Roussel Ségovia For Guitar, Op. 29
18.

Disc 2

John Dowland If My Complaints Could Passions Move, For 4 Voices & Lute (First Book Of Songs)
1.
The Frog Galliard, For Lute, P 23
2.
George Frideric Handel Suite For Keyboard (Suite De Piece), Vol.2, No.4 In D Minor, Hwv 437
3.
Johann Sebastian Bach Suite For Solo Cello No. 1 In G Major, Bwv 1007
4.
Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002
5.
Suite For Solo Cello No. 3 In C Major, Bwv 1009
6.
Partita For Solo Violin No. 3 In E Major, Bwv 1006
7.
Girolamo Frescobaldi Work(s)
8.
Domenico Scarlatti Sonata For Keyboard In C Minor, K. 11 (L. 352)
9.
Jean-Philippe Rameau Nouvelles Suites De Pièces De Clavecin, For Harpsichord
10.
Manuel Ponce Andantino Variato, For Guitar (after Paganini)
11.
Fryderyk Chopin Prelude For Piano No. 7 In A Major, Op. 28/7, CT. 172
12.
Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 12
13.
César Franck L'organiste Vol.1, For Organ (or Harmonium), M. 41
14.
15.
Modest Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for piano
16.
Edvard Grieg Melody, Lyric Piece For Piano, Op. 47/3
17.
Claude Debussy La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin, Prelude For Piano, L. 117/8
18.
Alexander Scriabin Prelude For Piano In E Flat Minor, Op. 16/4
19.
Isaac Albéniz Suite Española No. 1, For Piano, Op. 47, B. 7
20.
Piezas Características (12), For Piano, Op. 92, B. 29
21.
Andrés Segovia Etude For Guitar ("Estudio Sin Luz")
22.
Joaquín Rodrigo Fantasía Para Un Gentilhombre, For Guitar & Orchestra
23.