GERARD COUSINS : CLASSICAL GUITAR (RODRIGO, TARREGA, TORROBA): Una Leyenda - Spanish Guitar Music of Joaquin Rodrigo, Francisco Tarrega, Antonio Jose, Miguel Llobet & Moreno-Torroba

Gerard Cousins : Classical Guitar (Rodrigo, Tarrega, Torroba)

Una Leyenda - Spanish Guitar Music of Joaquin Rodrigo, Francisco Tarrega, Antonio Jose, Miguel Llobet & Moreno-Torroba

© 2005 Gerard Cousins (634479158544)

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A superbly recorded collection of classical spanish guitar music, from the beautifully lyrical to the virtuosic. FEATURED ON THE UK'S BIGGEST CLASSICAL RADIO STATION - CLASSIC FM Spanish Classical Guitar Music of Joaquin Rodrigo, Moreno-Torroba, Francisco

notes

This is the first commercial recording available of prize-winning guitarist Gerard Cousins beautifully recorded in a natural church acoustic.

This Collection presents a wide variety of spanish guitar music highlighting different aspects of Spain, from the intensely lyrical Catalan Folk Songs, to the Moorish Capricho Arabe, the French influence of Jose's ambitious Sonata and the Flamenco inspired works of Rodrigo - composer of the famous Concierto de Aranjuez.

It also features a first recording of Sanjuan's poetic "Una Leyenda" recently discovered in the archive of the great spanish guitarist Andres Segovia.

Gerard Cousins studied in Leeds University, Holland and London, and has travelled extensively giving concerts throughout Europe and recently gave a televised concert in Turkmenistan for the British Embassy. He performed in London's prestigious Purcell Room last year where "musical opinion" reviewer wrote of his "beautiful playing and subtle phrasing."

Gerard has also studied the art of Flamenco Guitar. This has given him rare insights into the spanish repertoire.
He also favours beauty and contrast of tone as one of his primary means of expression, in the manner of the past masters such as Andres Segovia. This combination gives his playing a rare quality.

Graham Wade, (Rodrigo and Segovia Biographer) writes
"thanks for sending the excellent recording... you achieve really beautiful sonorities, a rare thing in itself and most distinctive. Such virtuosic items as the Rodrigo, Jose,and Torroba, show tremendous technical accomplishment and assurrance."

A track from this CD was recently played on BBC Radio Wales. Introduced as "guitar magic" he "has a beautiful touch" (Frank Hennesey, Celtic Heartbeat Show.)

Cecilia Rodrigo (daughter of composer Joaquin Rodrigo)wrote
"we enjoyed your performances, we will follow your career with great interest."

reviews

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  • Passion, performance and poise
    author: Jonathan Leonard Conductor and examiner

    Without even seeing the artist one can hear the poise and elegance in this recording. Above all the musicality shines through and the music communicates, even through a recording medium. This recording is a must, not just for guitar specialists, but for all who love music.

  • It is a pleasure to listen to all songs. Brilliant CD
    author: A. Belén Ruiz

    Una Leyenda has as fantastic as difficult music pieces, some of them not very famous but even more difficult to play. That is why I was nicely impressed when I listened to it. And the more I listen, the more I like. All songs sound very good and very Spanish, you really cannot ask for anything else but to teach you how to play like that! I am looking forward to the next CD.

  • Touched by Brilliance
    author: Yusuf B'layachi

    I WAS TOUCHED BY THE BRILLIANCE OF UNA LEYENDA. PLAYED SO TENDERLY-GERARD COUSINS CERTAINLY SHINES THROUGH AS ONE OF THE MOST LEADING CLASSICAL GUITARISTS I HAVE HEARD IN A LONG WHILE.

  • A beautifully played and diverse recording!
    author: Alistair Hind, musical eclectic

    The great diversity of these pieces demands alot from a musician in terms of technical ability, which is certainly not a problem for Gerard Cousins! The pieces are all played with passion, which translates to subtlety, dynamism or whatever quality each piece requires. I particularly enjoyed the adventurous Sonata by Antonio Jose, which is played beautifully here.

  • A beautifully played album, perfectly gorgeous!
    author: Laila Gohar

    I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Una Leyenda. The pieces are beautifully played and soo gorgeously expressive. It is perfect for listening to whilst relaxing. I loved it!

  • Quickens the heart beat
    author: Jose louis Gonzalez

    Like whatching the views from the breath taking mountains of Ceuta, Una Leyenda quickens the heart beat

  • Quel Talent!
    author: Johan Mahey, Cultural Counsellor

    Quel Talent! Who'd have thought a new fascinating sound would spring up in England this century? The recording of Gerard Cousins'guitar makes you anxious to find out if more recording of his exist. When's the next one coming?

  • Masterful debut CD
    author: Patricio de Burgos, Guitar Maker, Adra, Prov. de Almeria, Spain

    Gerard Cousins has presented a varied and virtuosic programme including the previously unrecorded title track "Una Leyenda" written for Segovia. Accuracy and fluency in rapid scale passages seem to be a hallmark of Gerard´s playing especially notable in ambitious works such as the Antonio Jose "Sonata" and "Un Tiempo fue Italica Famosa" of Joaquin Rodrigo. Refined technique is evident throughout this masterful debut CD.

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