Spanish Classical Guitar

Southern Spain - the Alhambra, Sevilla, Aranjuez, Flamenco, fiery temperament, sun and bullfighting - many outstanding composers have fallen under the spell of this unique region which has been a source of inspiration and engendered world-famous pieces. Grenada"'s architectural monument to Moorish history has turned several artists into true ""Alhambrophiles"", among them well-known names such as Albéniz and Joaquín Turina but also the more recently discovered Emilio Serrano, Ruperto Chapi and Jésus de Monasterio. The great Francisco Tárrega contributed to the romanticisation of the Moorish past with his wonderful piece Recuerdos de la Alhambra, a veritable ""earworm"". Also interesting is the music and history of Enrique Granados"'s idée fixe, his fascination for the demimonde of the majos and majas in the Madrid court of Charles III, reflected in, among other works, his collection of tonadillas and Doce danzas españolas - which bring together music of the court and the people, outstandingly performed here by the Spanish Art Quartet. It is well known that many French composers were inspired by the dances of southern Spain. Flanking the perhaps bestknown Bolero in musical history is a truly Spanish selection of compositions by French masters. It includes of course Bizet"'s ""Carmen"" suite, emotionally-charged and clearlystructured music that, as performed here in an arrangement for four guitars, evokes its origins more articulately than many other versions have done. This collection of guitar music of the highest quality captures the sunlight and melancholy of Spain as no other...