Segovia: The American Decca Recordings, Vol 1

Read About This Recording

Even if your music library contained all six of the original Decca LPs reissued in this set, I would consider this collection from the Deutsche Grammophon label an essential addition. "I made my first recording in Havana," Segovia once recalled, "and was moved to the bones, because I heard myself for the first time. When I was ten years old I thought it was a great pity that I was going to die without listening to my playing." As a relative novice to the artistry of Andrés Segovia myself, it is nevertheless impossible to ignore his incredible virtuosity, for it is all on display here, from the very first note.

What is not to love about this collection? Segovia was a trailblazer on his instrument, performing well-known guitar works with unparalleled mastery, creating transcriptions of music for lute, piano and more to expand the instrument's repertoire and even inspiring composers to write music for him to debut to the world at large. And these six discs span that wide-ranging talent, each one arranged as a “recital” of sorts.

If musicality is not enough to recommend this set — and Segovia's name should need no introduction — then the accompanying liner notes should suffice. Writer Graham Wade offers keen insight in a brief description of each CD that only heightens the legends surrounding Segovia. Wade is well versed in the guitarist's storied career and delivers Segovia's thoughts, dreams and musical intentions to the page that we, as listeners, might better understand this master and his music.

This collection is, to borrow a tired expression, the complete package — in the truest sense of the phrase. These recordings, all newly remastered from when they were first performed in the '40s and '50s, offer as perfect a picture of Segovia's artistry as has ever been captured on disc. The music contained herein represents the breadth of his skill, showcasing his technical mastery on music from Bach to Villa-Lobos and just about everyone in between. Highly recommended.

—Elaine Sutcliffe

Quotes

"Segovia plays all this music with consummate skill." —The Record Guide

Contents

CD 1 (TT: 46:36 1944): I. Albéniz: No. 1 from Suite española, Op. 47; Torre Bermeja (serenata) Piezas características, Op. 92 No. 12; Sevilla (sevillanas) No. 3 from Suite española, Op. 47; Granados: La maja de Goya No. 7 from Tonadillas; Danza española in G Major, Op. 37 No. 10 Melancólica; Danza española in E Minor, Op. 37 No. 5 Andaluza; Milán: Two Pavanas; Sanz: Pavana; Anon.: Canzone e Saltarello; Torroba: Burgalesa y Albada; Arada; Llobet: Two Catalan Folk Songs: The Son of the Virgin; Amelia's Testament; Tárrega: Danza mora y Minueto; Visée: Entrada y Giga; Bourrée y Minueto from Suite in D Minor.

CD 2 (TT: 49:38 1952): Mudarra: Romanesca; Ponce: Prélude; Ballet; Gigue; Bach: Prélude from Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV1007; Gavotte I & II from Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV1012; Sor: Allegro non troppo from Duexième Grande Sonate, Op. 25; Mendelssohn: Venetian Gondola Song (Songs Without Words, Op. 19 No. 6); Schubert: Menuetto from Piano Sonata in G Major, Op. 78 D894; Torroba: Sonatina in A Major; I. Albéniz: Asturias (leyenda) No. 5 from Suite española, Op. 47.

CD 3 (TT: 40:52 1952): Milán: Fantasia XVI; Visée: Suite in D Minor; Sor: Variations on a Theme By Mozart, Op. 9; Handel: Allegretto grazioso Minuet I & II from Suite in G Minor, HWV453; Gavotte in G Major, HWV491; Bach: Bourée from Violin Partita No. 1 in B Minor, BWV1002; Courante from Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV1009; Giuliani: Allegro spiritoso from Sonata in C Major, Op. 15; Falla: Homenaje Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy; Villa-Lobos: Etude No. 7 in E Major.

CD 4 (TT: 38:43 1952): Milán: Pavana; Handel: Sarabande from Suite No. 4 in D Minor, HWV437; Minuet in G Major, HWV531; Gluck: Dance of the Blessed Spirts from Orfeo ed Euridice; Bach: Sicilienne from Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV996; Bourrée from Lute Suite in E Minor, BWV996; Sor: Minuetto from Duexième Grande Sonate, Op. 25; Chopin: Prelude in A Major, Op. 28 No. 7; Schumann: Frülingsgruß: Romanza from Lieder-Album für die Jugend, Op. 79 No. 4; Ponce: Andantino variato on a Theme By Paganini; Brahms: Waltz in B-flat Major, Op. 39 No. 8; Torroba: Madroños; Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 1 in E Minor.

CD 5 (TT: 45:19 1954): Frescobaldi: Aria con variazioni detta la Frescobalda; Corrente; Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Capriccio diabolico (Omaggio a Paganini); Ponce: Six Preludes from 24 Preludios: No. 7 in A Major; No. 2 in A Minor; No. 9 in E Major; No. 8 in F-sharp Minor; No. 13 in F-sharp Major; No. 11 in B Minor; Rameau: Minuet in G Major from Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin; Tansman: Cavatina (Suite); Torroba: Nocturne.

CD 6 (TT: 45:00 1954): Couperin: Passacaglia; Ponce: Prélude; Allemande; Thème varié et Finale; Haydn: Minuet & Trio from Symphony No. 96; Grieg: Melodie from Lyric Pieces, Op. 47 No. 3; Ponce: Mexican Folk Song No. 3: La Valentina; Torroba: Serenata burlesca; C.P.E. Bach: Siciliana in F-sharp Minor; Franck: Quasi lento (Preludio); Andantino poce Allegretto from L'Organiste; Aguirre: Canción; Pedrell: Guitarreo; Malats: Serenata española.