Track Listing

1. Bourrée Alla Polacca, arranged for guitar (or keyboard)
2. Sonata for keyboard in E major, K. 380 (L. 23) 'Cortège'
3. Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 213 (L. 108) 'The Lover'
4. Sonata for keyboard in F sharp minor, K. 448 (L. 485)
5. Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: Chaconne
6. Second livre des pièces de clavecin, for harpsichord: 6th Order No 5, Les Baricades Mistérieuse, arr for guitar
7. Second livre des pièces de clavecin, for harpsichord: 6th Order No 1, Les Moissonneurs
8. Sonata for keyboard in A minor, K. 175 (L. 429)
9. Sonata for keyboard in C major, K. 159 (L. 104) 'La caccia'
10. Passacaglia for guitar
11. Fantasia for lute in E minor
12. Tombeau sur la mort de Momsieur Cajetan Baron D'Hartig, for lute in E flat minor (London MS), Smith 110
13. Sonata for lute in D major (London MS No. 13), SC 18: Passacaglia

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17457 in Music
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
The great guitarist John Williams has been around the block several times with much of this music, and some of his performances sound as though he's getting a little tired of it. He plays the guitar extremely well, as always; you will never hear a better-executed performance of the Bach Chaconne, and the difficulties of the Scarlatti Sonatas hardly seem to exist for him. Some of the pieces new to his recorded repertory--Telemann, Roncalli, Couperin--are played with all the expression I want to hear. While this is a good disc, though, it's not the best of John Williams. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Look no further. . .
I would buy this album again for John Williams' arrangement of the Bach Chaconne alone! I've heard several guitarists play this piece and play it well. However, Mr. Williams' performance gave me goose bumps! All of the other pieces are wonderfully played as well. I particulary liked the Scarlatti and Telemann pieces.

Beautiful Baroque with Maestro John Williams
For those of us who delight in the glories of classical music, this CD is a gem!
John Williams, a gifted composer and gifted musician, is one whose music would be
appreciated in almost every home. A music lover loves music! One may have a
favorite genre, but overall, every genre has something to offer persons who enjoy
a broad spectrum of music appreciation. Classical music from its earliest
days, is food for the heart and soul. Do not overlook The Baroque Album with
Maestro John Williams. Enjoy!

Lyric splendor!
After twenty years and a half (recorded May 1987), this work still stans out as one of the landmark albums of the guitar.

The refined eloquence and fabulous interpretative solvency of this extraordinary guitarist has no parallel in the universe of this noble instrument.

The admirable transcriptions made by John Williams conserve the freshness and above all, the spirit of every work.

For instance, his transcriptions on Scarlatti `s three sonatas are a very evident example of his art.

Of course, we should call the attention respect his magisterial transcription of Bach' s Chaconne, that represents the highest peak of the album.

Fortunately for us, Williams devoted the last three pieces in memory of the egregious figure and huge importance of Sylvius Leopold Weiss, the master of lute.

So, if you really want to enjoy and delight around these pieces of Baroque, don't doubt for a second and go for this CD. I finished listening just one hour ago and so I like to recommend you.