109 CD / Recuerdos de España

5 reviews for 109 CD / Recuerdos de España

1. hi-fi+ issue 37 – 1. January 2005

   The classical guitar may lack those vocal-like qualities of a violin or the wide ranging statements available to the piano but in the right context and with sympathetic transcriptions it can attractively tease and tug at our emotions. Duo Favori (Barbara Graesle and Frank Armbruster) doubles those languid, enchanting and resonant effects in these carefully chosen arrangements tailored for two guitars.
   Spanish compositions throughout, that cultural synthesis of Christian and Moorish society, offer an intriguing pictoral and atmospheric blend of mysteriousness and magnificence. Diverse traditions that are embedded deep within the Albeniz Cordoba and his idyllic swaying melody for Mallorca Barcarola , then surface through sonorous harmonic effects. Archetypal and spectacularly varied impressionistic sun drenched landscapes are also crafted for his Suite Espana.
   Elsewhere, in the Granados Valses Poeticos, our senses are beguiled by a subtle idiomatic feel. Those essentially romantic motifs are discretely communicated to us through clean and polished musicianship rather than extravagant gestures. The Lopez-Chavarri Leyenda del Castillo moro is an academic inclusion - one that is more representative of the late Nineteenth or early Twentieth Century style of guitar playing.

2. klassik.com – 1. February 2002

   The best guitar record in recent times! Excellent sound engineering and sensual emotional music making that really gets Spain's soul across.Technically at the highest level!
   Gerd Moser

3. Akustik Gitarre – 1. January 2002

   Rich in atmosphere, at times even giving the impression of listening to the duo perform in a Spanish courtyard. The guitar sound is perfectly balanced, while the melodies of these great melodists are rendered with dynamic nuance and beautiful tonal colors…. A truly lovely contribution to the theme of Albéniz & Granados. Special praise for the fascinating and genuinely insightful liner notes—they add real depth to the experience.

4. Klassik heute – 1. January 2002

   When high-end label Tacet releases a new guitar music CD, expectations run high—and for good reason. Duo Favori is synonymous with tasteful interpretations, while Tacet guarantees natural, spatial sound. Here, the two guitarists delight us with a Spanish recital. Albéniz’s music unfolds in relaxed impressionism, and Granados’ Valses poéticos feel light as a feather, free of excessive pathos. This work also represents the pinnacle of the guitar-duet genre. Incidentally, the excellent transcription from piano to two guitars is the duo’s own work. Even John Williams, the Australian guitarist, once created a solo guitar transcription and recorded it—technically and musically on par. However, many passages flow more smoothly in legato with two guitars, which is why I prefer Duo Favori’s interpretation.

5. Deutschlandradio Kultur – 16. December 2001

   You’ll find yourself on cloud nine […] when Duo Favori performs Córdoba from Isaac Albéniz’s Op. 232 on two guitars…