Track Listing

1. Romance
2. Pavane
3. Sunburst
4. Una Limosna Por el Amor de Dios
5. Asturias
6. Gymnopedie No. 3
7. El Condor Pasa
8. Verano Porteno
9. Scherzino Mexicano
10. Berceuse
11. Natalia
12. Dance from la Vida Breve
13. Planxty Madame Maxwell
14. Epitafios
15. Prelude from Lute Suite
16. Partita for lute in E major, BWV 1006a, Prelude
17. Sonata for keyboard in E major, K. 380 (L. 23) "Cortège"
18. Trio Sonata, for violin, lute & continuo in C major, RV 82, III. ...
19. Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar & orchestra, Adagio

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3348 in Music
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2000-05-02
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.com
Guitarist John Williams (no, not John Williams the soundtrack composer) adds to his fine catalog of impeccable recordings with Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar. But this isn't just a best-of collection (though some of his greatest work is included here) since the disc contains three new recordings. Among the new tracks, Fauré's Pavane is a real stunner, a short but gorgeous piece originally meant for orchestra and choir, where Williams's guitar sounds as though it always belonged there. We get Williams at his most interpretative--his arrangements of Satie's Gymnopedie No. 3 and Piazzolla tango Verano porteno--and his most serene (the "Cavatina" theme from the movie Deer Hunter). Let's face it, some fine classical guitarists can lull their listeners into near comatose states with their instrument; Williams, on the other hand, is just the opposite. His gorgeous tone, inventive arrangements, and interesting repertoire continue to make the classical guitar sound exciting. In short, a great introduction to Williams and a real gem for lovers of classical guitar. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

"Mostly" Classic Williams
I hesitated to buy this CD because I have several other Williams CDs with many of the works featured on this one. However, I was too curious about the 3 new recordings. "Romanza", I'm afraid to say is not that interesting, although it's an ideal piece for beginning guitar students. Faure's Pavane and the arrangement of "El Condor Pasa," on the other hand, are fabulous. Williams' performance of Myers' Cavatina completely obliterates the notion that Williams plays with little emotion. Included are several other works that I consider among my favorites such as the exuberant "Sunburst," the passionate "Verano Porteno," the charming "Natalia," and the dreamy "Berceuse" (enough emotion there for ya?). I would have replaced some of the pieces for others that I believe are Williams classics. However, if you don't have a Williams CD and are curious, this CD and the Seville Concert CD would make a great introduction to a truly phenomenal musician.

The CD that all the people can enjoy
In Japan, recently classical guitar is boom, because young Japansese artists emerge. Off course not only Japanese guitarists but also foreign guitarists, is known in Japan. For instance, Andrew York is that. But the most famouse guitarist in foreign gutarists will be A.Segobia and J,Williams. The former is needless to say, about the latter, long ago I was shocked about new style, that is, the combination of electric guitar and classicas guitar. I think that he is top of the classical guitarist, on the other hand a revolutional guitarist that break the established old style.

The music songs included in the CD is variety, that is, in history Baropue, Roman, recently music, in place Spanish, south america etc.
Therefore the CD will be favorite thing for people that don't know about classical guitar.

Off course in the CD, we will be listen to his ultimate skill, in [Nataria}, in spite of the difficult left fingars touch, he play the song in high speed tempo, beautiful sound.

Thank you for reading my poor writing.

The Best One Disc Compilation of the Man That's Out There!
If you had to call modern classical guitar by another name, it would be John Williams. A student of none other than the brilliant Andres Segovia himself, John has shown over the years to have learnt a great deal from the master and has himself developed simply impeccable technique.

As a guitarist myself who has been struggling all these years with "Cavatina", it always amazes me how effortlessly John makes the tune sound so simple and as if two guitarists are playing, one for the accompanyment and one for the melody and yet it's all him! Not only are the tracks representative of John's great talent but they also represent some of the most famous and challenging pieces to play.

Another great example of this is "Asturias(Leyenda) by Albeniz, a hauntingly beautiful and deceptively simple-sounding piece. We also get pieces that span the centuries from J.S. Bach and Vivaldi to Stanley Myers and York ending with the brilliant second movement of Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez".

Although the sound quality isn't brilliant as some tracks sound better mastered than others, overall this is a great one disc introduction to John Williams' work and comes highly recommended.