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Recommendations for the serious classical guitarist Home
-Essential Classical Guitar CDs-
Here is my list of classical guitar CDs that I feel should be in the collection of every serious classical guitarist, not in any order of preference. The ones marked with an asterisk are meant for players who can appreciate modern works.
Julian Bream - Twentieth-Century Guitar I *
BMG Classics (09026 61595 2)
(Vol.12 of the "Julian Bream Edition" box set)

Track Listing :
L. Berkeley : Sonatina, Op.52, No.1 (10:36)
A. Roussel : Segovia, Op.29 (2:19)
R. Smith Brindle : El polifermo de oro (Four Fragments for Guitar) (6:47)
F. Martin : Quatre pieces breves (10:13)
H. W. Henze : Drei Tentos (from Kammermusik) (6:13)
A. Rawsthorne : Elegy (7:45)
W. Walton : Five Bagatelles (13:38)
L. Berkeley : Theme and Variations  (6:41)

My favourite track(s) : Berkeley's Sonatina and Henze's Drei Tentos
Eduardo Isaac - 20th Century Guitar Music Vol.II *
GHA (126.019)

Track Listing :
M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco : Caprichos de Goya
- Quien mas rendido ? (2:27)
- El sueno de la razon produce monstruos (6:20)
- Nadie se conoce (1:56)
J. Rodrigo : Elogio de la guitarra
- Allegro (5:48)
- Andantino (4:16)
- Allegro (6:00)
S. Assad : Aquarelle
- Divertimento (8:02)
- Valseana (3:40)
- Preludio e Tocatina (3:23)
Bryan Lester : Three Jazz Fugues
- Fugue I (2:11)
- Fugue IV (3:54)
- Fugue V (2:33)

My favourite track(s) : Assad's Aquarelle
Manuel Barrueco - J.S. Bach Sonatas
EMI Classics (7243 5 56416 2 5)

Track Listing :
J.S. Bach : Sonata in A minor, BWV 1003
- Grave (3:33)
- Fuga (7:16)
- Andante (4:44)
- Allegro (6:12)
J.S. Bach : Sonata in C, BWV 1005
- Adagio (3:27)
- Fuga (9:30)
- Largo (2:46)
- Allegro Assai (5:23)
J.S. Bach : Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001
- Adagio (3:56)
- Fuga - Allegro (5:12)
- Siciliana (2:45)
- Presto (4:06)

My favourite track(s) : Allegro from the Sonata in A minor
David Tanenbaum - David Tanenbaum *
New Albion Records (NA 095 CD)

Track Listing :
S. Reich : Nagoya Guitars (4:52)
L. Richmond : 3 Preludes
- Prelude No.1 (4:07)
- Prelude No.2 (3:54)
- Prelude No.3 (2:49)
A. J. Kernis : Partita
- Ciacona (6:37)
- Echo (3:36)
- Passacaglia (4:50)
- Toccata (6:40)
T. Riley : Barabas (4:53)
F. Zappa : Waltz for Guitar (0:39)
A. Hovhaness : Sonata No.2
- Allegretto (4:23)
- Dance and Jahla (2:14)
A. Hovhaness : Sonata No.1
- Adagio (5:31)
- Allegro (1:45)
- Presto (1:03)
- Andante (3:54)

My favourite track(s) : Kernis' Partita
Julian Bream - La Guitarra Romantica
BMG Classics (60429-2-RC)

Track Listing :
F. Tarrega : Mazurka in G (2:53)
F. Tarrega : Study in A (1:57)
F. Tarrega : Marietta (2:28)
F. Tarrega : Capricho Arabe (5:21)
F. Tarrega : Prelude in A minor (1:42)
F. Tarrega : Recuerdos de la Alhambra (3:49)
J. Malats : Serenata (3:52)
E. Pujol : Tango Espagnol (3:45)
E. Pujol : Guajira (4:24)
M. Llobet : Canciones Populares Catalanas (17:13)

My favourite track(s) : Tarrega's Capricho Arabe and Receurdos de la Alhambra
Andres Segovia - Manuel Ponce Sonatas
MCA Classics (MCAD-42072)
(Vol.6 of "The Segovia Collection" box set)

Track Listing :
M. Ponce : Sonata Romantica
- Allegro moderato (7:03)
- Andante espressivo (5:02)
- Allegretto vivo - piu lento espressivo (3:09)
- Allegro non troppo e serioso (5:59)
M. Ponce : Sonata Clasica
- Allegro (6:21)
- Andante (3:01)
- Menuet (3:21)
- Allegro (3:29)
M. Ponce : Sonata Mexicano
- Allegro moderato (4:15)
- Andantino affecttuoso (3:18)
- Intermezzo : Allegretto in tempo di Serenata (1:58)
- Allegretto, un poco vivace (3:31)
M. Ponce : Cancion (2:59)
M. Ponce : Cancion y Paisage (4:24)

My favourite track(s) : 1st and 4th movements from the Sonata Clasica.
Christopher Parkening - The Artistry of Christopher Parkening
EMI Classics (CDC 0777 7 54853 2 5)

Track Listing :
J.S. Bach : Prelude for Lute, BWV 999 (1:25)
J.S. Bach : Fugue from Violin Sonata No.1, BWV 1001 (5:12)
J.S. Bach-M. Ponce : Prelude from Cello Suite No.1 (2:19)
J.S. Bach : Courante from Cello Suite No.3 (3:17)
J.S. Bach : Chaconne from Violin Partita No.2 (13:09)
Anon. : Two Renaissance Pieces for Lute (1:51)
M. Ponce : Preludio (2:03)
A. Tansman : Scherzino from Cavatina (2:33)
A. Tansman : Danza Pomposa from Cavatina (2:31)
F. Sor : Estudio No.3 in A major (1:18)
M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco : Melancolia (3:41)
R. Schumann : Andante Cantabile (2:53)
F. Mompou : Cuna (3:14)
E. Satie : Gymnopedie No.1 (2:47)
E. Satie : Gymnopedie No.2 (2:10)
E. Satie : Gymnopedie No.3 (2:01)
C. Debussy : The Girl with the Flaxen Hair (2:30)
F. Poulenc : Pastourelle (2:05)
M. Ravel : Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty (1:20)
M. Ravel : Empress of the Pagodas (3:21)
Traditional : Afro-Cuban Lullaby (2:37)

My favourite track(s) : Bach's Prelude from Cello Suite No.1 and Chaconne, Ponce's Preludio, Tansman's Scherzino and Danza Pomposa
Christopher Parkening - Parkening Plays Bach
Angel Records (CDC 7 47191 2)

Track Listing :
J.S. Bach : Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (3:06)
J.S. Bach : Gavotte, from Sonata VI for violin, E major partita (3:14)
J.S. Bach : Prelude I, from The Well-tempered Clavier (2:04)
J.S. Bach : Prelude VI, from  The Well-tempered Clavier (1:42)
J.S. Bach : Prelude IX, from The Well-tempered Clavier (1:29)
J.S. Bach : Sheep May Safely Graze (4:49)
J.S. Bach : Prelude and Allegro, from Prelude, Fugue and Allegro in E flat major for clavier, original for lute (5:56)
J.S. Bach : Gavotte I & II, from Cello Suite V (4:50)
J.S. Bach : Gavotte I & II, from Cello Suite VI (4:03)
J.S. Bach : Sleepers, Awake (4:34)
F. Handel : Sarabande and Variations (3:50)
F. Handel : Minuet in D (3:45)
R. Visee : Giga (1:43)
S. L. Weiss : Passacaglia (3:57)
F. Couperin : Les Barricades mysterieuses (2:16)
A. Scarlatti : Preambulo and Allegro vivo (4:18)

My favourite track(s) : Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze and Sleepers, Awake
Adam Holzman - Venezuelan Waltzes for Guitar
Naxos (8.554348)

Track Listing :
A. Lauro : Seis por derecho : Joropo (3:27)
A. Lauro : Maria Carolina (3:04)
A. Lauro : El Marabino (1:18)
A. Lauro : Maria Luisa (2:25)
A. Lauro : Angostura (2:00)
A. Lauro : Adios a Ocumare (2:40)
A. Lauro : Papelon (1:08)
A. Lauro : Nelly (2:31)
A. Lauro : Suite Venezolana (10:45)
A. Lauro : El Nino (2:52)
A. Lauro : 4 Valses Venezolanos (6:49)
A. Lauro : El Negrito (1:42)
A. Lauro : La Gatica (1:18)
A. Lauro : Triptico (6:28)
A. Lauro : Variaciones sobre una cancion infantil Venezolana (9:20)
A. Lauro : Zulay (2:29)
A. Lauro : Carora (1:54)

My favourite track(s) : Lauro's El Nino, Vals No.s 1,2 & 3 from 4 Valses Venezolanos, and Carora
Julian Bream - Music of Spain - Granados . Albeniz
BMG Classics (09026-61608-2)
(Vol.25 of the "Julian Bream Edition" box set)

Track Listing :
E. Granados : Dedicatoria
E. Granados : Tonadillas : La Maja de Goya
E. Granados : Danza Espagnolas, Op.37 : No.4 Villanesca
E. Granados : Valses Poeticos
E. Granados : Danza Espagnolas, Op.37 : No.5 Andaluza
I. Albeniz : Mallorca, Op.202
I. Albeniz : Suite Espanola No.1, Op.47 : No.2 Cataluna
I. Albeniz : Suite Espanola No.1, Op.47 : No.1 Granada
I. Albeniz : Suite Espanola No.1, Op.47 : No.3 Sevilla
I. Albeniz : Suite Espanola No.1, Op.47 : No.4 Cadiz
I. Albeniz : Cantos de Espana, Op.232 : No.4 Cordoba

My favourite track(s) : Granados La Maja de Goya and Danza Espagnolas No.5 (Andaluza), Albeniz's Mallorca, Granada, Cadiz and Cordoba
Slava Grigoryan - Dance of the Angel
Sony Classical (SK63011)

Track Listing :
R. Dyens : Tango en Skai (2:54)
W. Lovelady : Incantation No.1 (4:45)
A. Piazzolla : Verano Porteno (4:46)
A. Piazzolla : Milonga del Angel (5:23)
A. Piazzolla : La Muerte del Angel (3:30)
A. Piazzolla : Primavera Porteno (6:43)
R. Baden-Powell : Deve Ser Amor (2:00)
V. de Moraes : Euridice (3:34)
A. Piazzolla : Histoire du Tango
- Bordel 1900 (3:41)
- Cafe 1930 ( 6:20)
- Nightclub 1960 (5:41)
- Concert d'aujourd'hui (2:58)
G. Santorsola : Preludio, from Suite Antiga (5:07)
E. Grigoryan : Homage a Jobim (4:24)
R. Baden-Powell : Deve Ser Amor, a trois (4:16)

My favourite track(s) : Piazzolla's Histoire du Tango
David Tanebaum - Astor Piazzolla (El Porteno)
New Albion Records (NA065CD)

Track Listing :
A. Piazzolla : Chau Paris (2:45)
A. Piazzolla : Las Cuatro Estaciones Portenos
- Otono Porteno (4:32)
- Invierno Porteno (6:00)
- Primavera Porteno (4:10)
- Verano Porteno (2:53)
A. Piazzolla : Milonge del Angel (4:50)
A. Piazzolla : La Muerte del Angel (3:07)
A. Piazzolla : Cinco Piezas
- Campero (4:32)
- Romantico (4:17)
- Accentuado (3:22)
- Triston (4:30)
- Compadre (2:59)

My favourite track(s) : Piazzolla's Chau Paris and Las Cuatro Estaciones Portenos
Sergio & Odair Assad - Sergio & Odair Assad play Piazzolla
Nonesuch (79632-2)

Track Listing :
A. Piazzolla : Tango Suite
- Deciso (4:39)
- Andante (3:45)
- Allegro (6:17)
A. Piazzolla : Escualo (3:20)
A. Piazzolla : Invierno Porteno (5:47)
A. Piazzolla : Primavera Porteno (4:06)
A. Piazzolla : Decarissimo (2:43)
A. Piazzolla : Ausencias (3:52)
A. Piazzolla : Suite Troileana
- Bandoneon (8:14)
- Whisky (3:41)
- Zita (3:57)
- Escolaso (4:19)
A. Piazzolla : Bordel 1900 (3:57)
A. Piazzolla : Francanapa (3:31)

My favourite track(s) : Piazzolla's Tango Suite and Suite Troileana
David Russell - Music of Torroba
Telarc (CD-80451)

Track Listing :
F. M. Torroba : Sonatina
- Allegretto (3:50)
- Andante (3:40)
- Allegro (4:01)
F. M. Torroba : Burgalesa (2:35)
F. M. Torroba : Suite Castellana
- Fandango (2:18)
- Arada (2:59)
- Danza (2:26)
F. M. Torroba : Madranos (2:49)
F. M. Torroba : Castillos de Espana
- Alcazar de Segovia (2:53)
- Alba de Tormes (1:16)
- Montemayor (1:28)
- Zafra (2:03)
- Manzanares del Real (1:08)
- Siguenza (1:47)
- Simancas (1:32)
- Turegano (2:20)
- Torrija (2:45)
- Calatrava (2:51)
- Redaba (1:43)
- Alcaniz (1:30)
- Javier (2:46)
- Olite (2:11)
F. M. Torroba : Nocturno (3:33)
F. M. Torroba : Aires de la Mancha
- Jeringonza (1:32)
- Ya Llega el Invierno (1:44)
- Coplilla (0:48)
- La Pastora (1:57)
- Seguidilla (1:54)

My favourite track(s) : Torroba's Sonatina and Torrija
David Tanenbaum - Acoustic Counterpoint *
New Albion Records (NA 032 CD)

Track Listing :
M. Tippett : The Blue Guitar (17:04)
S. Reich : Electric Counterpoint (14:33)
P. Maxwell Davies : Sonata (12:42)
R. Sierra : Triptico (12:29)
T. Takemitsu : All in Twilight (10:12)

My favourite track(s) : Tippett's Blue Guitar, Sierra's Triptico and Takemitsu's All in Twilight
Julian Bream - Nocturnal *
EMI Classics (0777 7 54901 2 1)

Track Listing :
F. Martin : Quatre pieces breves (10:28)
B. Britten : Noctural after John Dowland, Op.70 (18:22)
L. Brouwer : Sonata for Guitar (15:56)
T. Takemitsu : All in Twilight (16:04)
W. Lutoslawski : Melodie ludowe (16:04)

My favourite track(s) : Britten's Nocturnal, Brouwer's Sonata and Takemitsu's All in Twilight
Julian Bream - Villa-Lobos - Concerto . Preludes . Etudes *
BMG Classics (09026 61604 2)
(Vol.21 of the "Julian Bream Edition" box set)

Track Listing :
H. Villa-Lobos : Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra (18:14)
H. Villa-Lobos : Five Preludes (19:08)
H. Villa-Lobos : Twelve Etudes : (30:58)

My favourite track(s) : Villa-Lobos' Five Preludes and Twelve Etudes
John Williams - Bach : Lute Suites (Vol I & II)
Sony Classical (Vol I - SBK 62972, Vol II - SBK 62973)

Track Listing :
Vol. I
J.S. Bach : Suite in E minor, BWV 996 (Lute Sute No.1)
J.S. Bach : Suite in A minor , BWV 997 (Lute Suite No.2)
J.S. Bach : Suite in A minor, BWV 995 (Lute Suite No.3)
J.S. Bach : Praludium in C minor, BWV 999
J.S. Bach : Fugue in G minor, BWV 1000
Vol II
J.S. Bach : Suite in E major, BWV 1006a (Lute Suite No.4)
J.S. Bach : Chaconne
J.S. Bach : Prelude, Fugue and Allegro
J.S. Bach : Bourees I and II, from Cello Suite No.3
J.S. Bach : Wachet Auf!, from Cantata 140
J.S. Bach : Fugue in G major, BWV 877
J.S. Bach : Adagio, from Violin Sonata No.4, BWV 1017
J.S. Bach : Trio Sonata No.6 in G major, BWV 530
J.S. Bach : Allegro, from Italian Concerto, BWV 971

My favourite track(s) : All the 4 Lute Suites
Manuel Barrueco - 300 Years of Guitar Masterpieces
VoxBox3 (CD3X 3007)

Track Listing :
CD 1
J.S. Bach : Suite No.4 in E major (19:05)
J.S. Bach : Suite No.2 in A minor (19:30)
I. Albeniz : First Suite Espanola, Op.47 (21:17)
CD2
D. Scarlatti : Sonatas (18:40)
D. Cimarosa : Sonatas (6:52)
N. Paganini : Sonata in A major, Op.3 No.1 (3:27)
M. Giuliani : Variations sur les Folies d'Espagne, Op.5 (4:15)
N. Paganini : Sonata in E minor, Op.3 No.6 (3:37)
M. Giuliani : Gran Sonata Eroica in A major, Op.150 (9:09)
E. Granados : Spanish Dances (11:40)
CD 3
E. Granados : Spanish Dances (10:33)
H. Villa-Lobos : Etudes for Guitar (20:10)
M.C. Guarnieri : Estudo No.1 (2:29)
C. Chavez : 3 pieces for Guitar (7:45)
H. Villa-Lobos : Suite Populaire Brasilienne (15:28)

My favourite track(s) : Bach's Lute Suite No.4, Albeniz's Cataluna and the Villa-Lobos Etudes
Shin-Ichi Fukuda - Guitar Recital
JVC (VDC-1100)

Track Listing :
J. Rodrigo : Invocation et Danse
E. Granados : Valses Poeticos
L. Brouwer : Elogio de la Danza
J. Rodrigo : Tres Piezas Espanolas
M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco : Sonata "Omaggio a Boccherini"

My favourite track(s) : Rodrigo's Invocation et Danse and Tres Piezas Espanolas, and Brouwer's Elogio de la Danza
Kazuhito Yamashita - Pictures at an Exhibition
BMG Japan

Track Listing :
M. Mussorgsky : Pictures at an Exhibition
- Promenade ; Gnomes (4:16)
- Promenade ; Il Vecchio Castello (5:59)
- Promenade ; The Tuileries (1:27)
- Bydlo (2:58)
- Promenade ; Ballet of the Little Chickens (2:11)
- Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle (2:29)
- A Market Place in Limoges (1:17)
- Catacombae : Con mortuis in lingua mortua (5:09)
- The Hut of Baba-Yaga (3:05)
- The Bahatyr Gate of Kiev (6:54)
I. Stravinsky : The Firebird Suite
- Introduction (3:25)
- The Firebird and its Dance (0:21)
- Variations of the Firebird (1:12)
- The Round of the Princesses (4:11)
- Infernal Dance of King Kastchei (4:06)
- Lullaby (2:57)
- Finale (3:00)

My favourite track(s) : Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition
Manuel Barrueco - de Falla, Ponce & Rodrigo
EMI Classics (7243 5 66577 2 4)

Track Listing :
M. de Falla : El Sombrero de Tres Picos (The Three-cornered Hat)
-  Die Nacht / Night / La Nuit (3:51)
- Tanz des Mullers / The Miller's Dance / Danse du meunier (2:46)
- Tanz des Corregidors / The Corregidor / Le Corregidor (1:56)
- Tans der Mullerin / Dance of the Miller's Wife / Danse de la meuniere (4:25)
M. M. Ponce : Sonatina Meridional
- Campo (4:19)
- Copla (2:27)
- Fiesta (2:10)
J. Rodrigo : Invocacion y Danza (7:34)
M. de Falla : Ommaggio per Chitarra (Scritto per Le Tombeau de Debussy) (2:40)
J. Rodrigo : Tres Piezas Espanolas
- Fandango (3:49)
- Passacaglia (4:37)
- Zapateado (2:59)

My favourite track(s) : de Falla's The Three-cornered Hat and Rodrigo's Tres Piezas Espanolas
John Williams - From the Jungles of Paraguay
Sony Classical (SK 64396)

Track Listing :
A. Barrios : Vals No.3
A. Barrios : Preludio en do menor
A. Barrios : Cueca
A. Barrios : Maxixa
A. Barrios : La Catedral
A. Barrios : Julia Florida
A. Barrios : Vals No.4
A. Barrios : Una Limosna por el amor de Dios
A. Barrios : Mazurka Apassionata
A. Barrios : Las Abejas
A. Barrios : Medallon Antiquo
A. Barrios : Choro de Saudade
A. Barrios : Aire de Zamba
A. Barrios : Aconquija
A. Barrios : Preludio en sol menor
A. Barrios : Sueno en la Floresta
A. Barrios : Villancico de Navidad

My favourite track(s) : Barrios' Preludio en do menor, La Catedral and Choro de Saudade
Dejan Ivanovic - Guitar Recital
Naxos (8.557038)

Track Listing :
M. Salvador : Homenatge a Mistral (9:15)
A. Garcia Abril : Tres Preludios Urbanos (13:38)
F. Mompou : Canco i Dansa, No.13 (4:29)
R.R. Bennett : Sonata for solo guitar (19:18)
M. Arnold : Fantasy, Op.107 (12:09)
G. McPherson : Study in moto perpetuo (4:00)
F. Tarrega : Recuerdos de la Alhambra (5:52)

My favourite track(s) : Bennett's Sonata, Arnold's Fantasy and McPherson's Study
Eduardo Isaac - Maria de Buenos Aires
GHA (126.051)

Track Listing :
A. Piazzolla & H. Ferrer :
- Tocata Rea (5:03)
- Tema de Maria (5:26)
- Contramilonga a la funerala (6:18)
- Miserere canyengue (7:05)
- Romanza del duende (8:17)
- Balada para un organito loco (8:45)
- A los arboles y a las chimeneas (2:41)
- Tangus dei (9:20)

My favourite track(s) : Tocata Rea and Tema de Maria. This disc has the most beautiful guitar tone I have heard.