Monday, 28 March 2016

Taner de Gala - Juan Carlos Rivera


Rating: 5/5

Review:
A cracking disc



I really like this disc.  It is a programme of music from 16th-Century Spain of music for vihuela – a sort of precursor of the guitar.  It's a rich repertoire from composers like Luis de Narváez, Luys Milan and others, and it's very fine music indeed.  It is full of variety from lively dances to mournful laments, and the melody and harmonic invention is terrific.  I find more in this every time I listen to it.

Part of this is due to the playing of Juan Carlos Rivera, who is excellent.  He rises to the technical challenges with ease and imbues each piece with a real sense of engagement and emotion.  The sound of his vihuela is lovely, and very well recorded here.  In short, it's a cracking CD and if you have any interest in the music of this period, don't hesitate.  Warmly recommended.

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