Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Classical guitar wonder David Russell follows up his strong disc featuring the music of Mauro Giuliani with this fresh set of Baroque transcriptions. Thanks to Russell's impeccable technique and lyrical playing, you might even forget that these are transcriptions at all. Russell's interpretation of Jean Baptiste Loeillet's Suite No. 1 in G minor is impressive for its depth--these six dances range from jaunty (Corente) to graceful (Sarabanda), but the guitarist never falters. On Vivaldi's cello sonata, Russell grippingly conveys the composer's dark, meditative side during the Largo movements. But performing nine of Scarlatti's numerous harpsichord sonatas, Russell really gets to shine; these pieces seem tailor-made for the guitarist's agile fingers and understated style. Russell isn't the flashiest classical guitarist you'll hear, but his thoughtful and solid performances on this disc speak for themselves. --Jason Verlinde









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Disc 1:

1. 1. Allemande
2. 2. Corente
3. 3. Sarabanda
4. 4. Aria
5. 5. Minuet
6. 6. Giga
7. 1. Largo
8. 2. Allegro
9. 3. Largo 2
10. 4. Allegro 2
11. 1. Larghetto
12. 2. Allegro
13. 3. Adagio
14. 4. Allegro

Rating: - Not an expert but loving this
I don't know how Russell makes his guitar like this, how his transcriptions get the tone and expression that this instrument is supposed to bring with the richness and playfullness of the keyboard. How all that the voices sound clear and distinct. I'm giving this record to a Scarlatti loving friend, it's so beautifully played and really getting the famous Spanish feeling. And some intrincate passage in the Loillet piece made me stop my car today, this guy is getting me crashed some day.

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Rating: - Thankfully not another "Best of the Baroque" recording
David Russell proves successful in these transcriptions to guitar, creating a dynamic forward progression and seamless legato that mirrors what the harpsichord would otherwise have acheived in the original. This is most impressive in the Scarlatti pieces, especially the vivacious and fascinating Sonata in D major (K.491) where Russell's sense of the whole and creative textures make it a most enticing result. His silky smooth, cross-string lead ins here create a bit of an illusion of a keyboard action. The G minor Suite of Loeillet is a refreshing less familiar piece that is hard to imagine growing weary of - unlike the Vivaldi Sonata which is, well ... another Vivaldi piece ... although with playing like Russell's, everything seems to shine regardless. Vividly recorded with a marvelous, full-bodied guitar acoutic that is hard to fault, this CD rises above the often mundane sea of classical guitar recordings of Baroque favorites. The highlight is certainly the Scarlatti transcriptions, especially the famous D major sonata. Compositions - 5 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Recording - 5 stars (Telarc's 20-bit digital master).

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Rating: - Pleasant
This is a very pleasant recording. It features pieces that you don't see as frequently recorded as they should be. Russell is especially nice on the Loeillet suite. If you're into Baroque music this is a nice CD to pick. Russell does this music justice. Good stuff.

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Rating: - Beautiful Baroque
While I don't care much for Russell's Latin and Spanish guitar performances, I do think he beautifully performs the Baroque pieces here and Bach transcriptions on other recordings. He's especially good at playing counterpoint and weaving different voices together. The tonal quality is pleasant also.

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Rating: - very good stuff
I like David Russel alot. His interpretations really bring music to life with gorgeous texture and perceptive phrasing. His choice of instruments are usually excellent as well. This is good stuff here. I feel obligated to voice two criticisms, though. First, I don't think the Dammann guitar on this disc has pretty trebles. They are kind of nasal. The guitar(s) he used for his Barrios and Tarrega CD's are superior recording instruments and have simply better tone--really beautiful, indeed perfect! Second, I find the Scarlatti interpretations don't quite measure up to those of Stephan Schmidt, who plays with a passion and clarity like I have never heard before. I can't see anyone being disappointed with Stephan Schmidt's Scarlatti recording. Never heard better. Gorgeous guitar as well. (I think both guitarists prefer cedar guitars over spruce).