Search - Luys de Narvaez, John Dowland, Francesco (da Milano) Canova :: Guitar Recital

Excellent Performance & Sound--An Astonishing Value!

biz_buzz | United States | 04/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Superlatively well-performed and well-recorded. Gallagher plays these terrific selections with remarkable skill and style not nearly as discernable in other guitar CDs I have heard. This is the real deal. I especially like the Dowland pieces, though there are absolutely no "throwaway" tracks on the CD by any stretch. A poor recording production could still sink a performance no matter how fine...I am pleased to say the production of the CD does measure up. Buy this CD -- yes you can believe the hype, this is an exceptional solo classical guitar performance at a bargain basement price!"

Phenominal guitar playing - Great sounds

biz_buzz | 10/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a player and a fan of classical guitar for twenty years. One of the most memorable musical experiences I ever had was hearing a young player by the name of Kevin Gallagher live in concert. His sense of musicality, interpretation and mastery of the guitar was unlike anything I had ever seen or heard. The concert uplifted and transported me to a place few have. 5 years have passed since that concert and in that time Kevin has recorded a wonderful new CD for Naxos. Kevin is as amazing of a recording artist as he is a live performer. This recording proves once and for all that a guitarist can be among the greatest instrumentalist in the world. Mr. Gallagher has recorded a CD of passion mixed with control rapped in beauty. The album spans the renaissance & baroque periods and I find the interpretations to be refreshingly new while at the same time being stylistic correct. All of the pieces are played with thought and love for them. The recording the Prelude, Fugue & Allegro is in my mind the definitive. No guitarist should ever attempt to record this piece again. If I was stranded on a dessert Island and could only take 10 CD's with me they would be: 1. Jimi Hendrix- Electrocute Lady Land 2. Le Sacre du Printemps(Conducted by Boulez)Stravisnky 3. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew 4-10. Kevin Gallagher Laureate Series-Guitar (I would need 7 of because I know I would wear them out from over playing them."

Elegant

Percy Smogg | Tulsa, OK USA | 12/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am hesitant to rate the CD as five stars since five-star ratings seem to abound on Amazon to the extent that the five-star rating means nothing. However, the playing on this album is the most elegant that I can recall, so I must at least give it 4.5 stars. Everything is done with such fluid gracefulness that I found myself thinking some parts of the recital could have benefitted if Mr. Gallagher had stepped out the elegant role and applied some raw muscularity where I think the music calls for it. I must emphasize I present that as only a small criticism and only in the context of adding a little spice to the overall recital. This recording is graceful elegance from beginning to end. Virtuousity is in abundance here, but the playing is so refined and smooth that it doesn't sound like someone with virtuoso chops strutting his stuff. If you are looking for some blatantly firey, rip-snorting guitar playing, then this is not the CD you are looking for (but you should still buy it!). If you are a reasonably experienced student of the guitar, prepare to have your ego thoroughly trampled. If there ever arose a public debate as to which instrument was the most elegant, the lute or guitar, I would offer this recording in support of the guitar."