MAY 2014: 'Albéniz: Suite Española/Cants de Espana', Giuseppe Feola. Brilliant Classics 94047

MAY 2014: 'Albéniz: Suite Española/Cants de Espana', Giuseppe Feola. Brilliant Classics 94047

By RAY PICOT

This solo guitar CD appeared quite unexpectedly for me given its 2010 release, and what a real pleasure it has been listening to these delightful early characteristic pieces of Albéniz, in a fresh context. The ingenuity of this collection is that Giuseppe Feola has fused the two piano works into an 11-movement solo guitar suite avoiding any of the duplicated pieces, and reordering them in an entirely logical and satisfying way, and in so doing creating new musical connections. Perhaps this may not appear immediately attractive to purists, but the music is most attractively rearranged for solo guitar and in this single suite, provides a satisfying extended concert suite.

Whilst this may not be Albéniz’ greatest music, we are probably all familiar with its sunny charms which evoke a bygone era with a natural style and colour. Furthermore this is music which should not be overplayed, and thankfully this is a trap which Feola avoids, as he responds with plenty of attractive touches with his arrangements and great subtlety and good dynamic range, which allows the music to breathe. Though you may have this music already in guitar arrangements, Feola as arranger and interpreter takes you back to the composer’s roots. The recording is also very natural, so I am pleased to give this disc a warm recommendation, which should not disappoint.

 

 

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