Copertina di Easy Studies for Guitar - Vol.1
Easy Studies for Guitar
Vol.1
Brilliant Classics
2 CD SET
2016
EAN CODE: 5028421954028
Numero Tracce: 54
Autori di questa release:
Eduardo Garrido (1975), Nikita Koshkin (1956)
Reginald Smith-Brindle (1917-2003), Alexandre Tansman (1897-1986)

From the record label’s official website:

The growing library of guitar music on Brilliant Classics already encompasses several albums of etudes and miniatures written for students and amateur players. From rare to well-known, there are the studies of Gangi (BC95204), Tansman (BC95221), Castelnuovo-Tedesco (BC95219) and Gilardino (BC9285), among many others.

The Gilardino album features the artistry of guitarist and composer Cristiano Porqueddu, who has made several other well-received albums for Brilliant Classics, including collections of rarely encountered composers in ‘Novecento Guitar Preludes’ (BC9292) and ‘Novecento Guitar Sonatas’ (BC9455), both of which include many first recordings. Reviewing the set of Preludes, MusicWeb International praised the ‘coruscating variety, fine recorded sound and lovingly shaped playing… Porqueddu’s playing is miraculously clean and there’s very little fret noise.’

Porqueddu’s appetite for the unusual and sense of adventure is further confirmed by a new set of ‘Easy Studies for Guitar’, containing music that is as satisfying to listen to as it is relatively unchallenging to master for the intermediate-to-advanced student guitarist. Only Tansman has a currency outside guitarists, but the other three, more contemporary figures speak with powerfully individual voices.

The Russian composer-guitarist Nikita Koshkin may be a particularly welcome discovery for non-initiates: born in 1956, he counts the music of Shostakovich and Prokofiev as important early influences, but his own music lies within the Spanish guitar tradition, while employing more modern harmonies and building to climaxes of unexpected tension and drama. Born in Granada in 1975, Eduardo Garrido now teaches and composes in Mexico, and in his studies can also be heard a non-native wildness and urgency, for all that they are sympathetically composed with intermediate students in mind.

Master guitarist Cristiano Porqueddu embarks on a praiseworthy and ambitious recording project: Easy Studies for Guitar, works written by famous or less well known composers with the special aim to educate, challenge, develop and entertain the aspiring guitar student. The works focus on certain technical issues disguised as it were in the musical content and its emotions.
The first CD contains works by Eduardo Garrido, Nikita Koshkin, Alexandre Tansman and Reginald Smith-Brindle.
Cristiano Porqueddu, who already recorded more than 40 CD’s, all of them to great critical acclaim, takes his task seriously, always finding the right atmosphere and character of these delightful musical gems, aided by his immaculate technique.
Excellent liner notes written by the artist.
Tracklist
[CD 1]
Eduardo Garrido (1975)
"Alebrijes de la ciudad de México" - 8 estudios breves para guitarra
01. I - Sosegado
02. II - Danzante
03. III - Enigmatico
04. IV - Inquieto
05. V - Festivo
06. VI - Melanconico
07. VII - Reflexivo
08. VIII - Agitado

Nikita Koshkin (1956)
"Da Capo" 24 Easy Studies for Guitar
09. I - Intrada
10. II - Melody
11. III - Dance
12. IV - Ballad
13. V - Snowflakes
14. VI - Desert
15. VII - Five Crotchets
16. VIII - Dialogue
17. IX - Elephant
18. X - Waltz
19. XI - Without Landscape
20. XII - Ceremony
21. XIII - Ukrainian Folk Song
22. XIV - Carcassi
23. XV - Etude
24. XVI - Humoresque
25. XVII - The Sailor's Fate
26. XVIII - Jota
27. XIX - Polka
28. XX - Jig
29. XXI - Dotted Line
30. XXII - Choros
31. XXIII - Aria
32. XXIV - Amphion

[CD 2]
Reginald Smith-Brindle (1917 - 2003)
"Ten Simple Preludes for Guitar"
01. I - The Harmony of Peace
02. II - Counterpoints I
03. III - Calm Intervals
04. IV - Counterpoints II
05. V - Canto
06. VI - Corsa
07. VII - Llanura
08. VIII - Littles Barrés
09. IX - Cantilena
10. X - Arpeggios

Alexandre Tansman (1897 - 1986)
"Douze Pièces Faciles pour Guitare"
11. I - Chant lointain
12. II - Ostinato
13. III - Sarabande
14. IV - Aria
15. V - Petite Marche Militaire
16. VI - Polonaise
17. VII - Tarentelle
18. VIII - En passant
19. IX - Toccata
20. X - Intermezzo
21. XI - Séréndade
22. XII – Triolets