2/1999

Guitar Review

The CD «La guitarra de Torres» is an interesting project that presents the following: 1) Music by Llobet and Tarrega,men who played indispensable roles in the development of the performance style an repertoire of the guitar in the early twentieth century; 2) Performed on an instrument constructed by Antonio de Torres, who provided the greater volume and sustaining power necessary for the guitar's evolution into this century; 3)P Performed by someone capable of making of it something more than a sum of the parts - Stefano Grondona. I am astonished at how good the instrument sounds. No exact date is given for its construction, but Torres died in 1892, making it at least a century old. The recording method and ambiance no doubt helped - again there is no intention of the recording procedure - but clearly this is a fine, powerful, instrument. The sound is as good as any have heard on disc - rich and, in the hands of Grondona, capable of a wide range of tone color and expression. The notes on Torres are brief but informative. Llobets arrangements of Catalan folk songs, through out of fashion today, one held an important position in the classical guitar repertoire. I am not aware of any modern recording with as many as the fifteen performed here. This is a superb set of miniatures juxtaposed in a very intelligent manner. There is a deal of drama in this material and Grondona is mined it with exquisite taste. I am left with a greater appreciation of both Llobet the arranger and the musical spirit of Catalonia he drew upon. Llobet's teacher, Tarrega, was a far more ambitious composer. From his ample portfolio of solidly Spanish romantic works Grondona chose «Danza mora, Minueto, Capricho Arabe, and 21 Preludes. The latter, especially when presented as a group, are a rather fragmented and inconsistent offering. Some are really poignant, many are short to the point of appearing to be fragments. The other more substantial works are given fine, expressive renderings by Grondona. His phrasing throughout this CD places him among the best interpreters I have heard. Moreover, the whole presentation - the historical notes, the demonstration of Torres' genius, along with Stefano Grondona's musicality - make this a notable recording.