| "David Russell is in
a class by himself."
American Record Guide
"A phrase played by him [Russell] is a thing
of such clarity and direction that it seems almost
physically palpable: it is an object of such polish,
perfect curvature, and ineluctable sweep that one
feels as though one could pick it up and examine
it as if it were a sculpture."
American Record Guide
“Alongside familiar works by John Dowland
and William Byrd, this fine collection of Renaissance
lute and guitar compositions features pieces by
less famous European figures such as Pietro Paolo
Borrono, Joan Ambrosio Dalza and Luys de Narvaez,
all performed brilliantly on guitar by David Russell.”
CD Hot List
“So while the guitar is not quite the instrument
associated with the Renaissance, Russell does not
care and neither will the listener.”
Brattleboro Reformer
“Russell, like good wines, gets better with
the time, becomes stronger and more perfect.”
Arizona Republic
Although guitarist David Russell's career has been
built largely on the Spanish and Latin American
music that makes up such a beloved part of his instrument's
repertoire, he's often looked back to earlier eras,
too, serving up transcriptions of Bach and other
Baroque composers on some of his finest recordings.
Here, on his 11th album for Telarc, Russell goes
back further still, to the Renaissance, beginning
his exploration in the familiar territory of Spain
-- a time and place that was central to the guitar's
history. He doesn't linger long, however: After
setting the 16th-century tone with a trio of works
by Alonso Mudarra and Luys de Narvaez, Russell heads
to England and the music John Dowland, which comprises
the heart of this recital -- well over half of its
duration. Dowland's music for lute (which translates
with ease to guitar) is a landmark of its time,
alternating between poised dances (especially the
stately galliards, five of which are heard here)
and deeply expressive fantasias. Dowland's famous
gift for melancholy is displayed in pieces like
Semper Dowland Semper Dolens and the well-known
Lachrimae, which inspires one of the most touching
performances Russell has ever committed to disc.
The beauty of Dowland's works could easily have
sustained an entire album, yet the final, Italian
segment of the recital is an equal delight. Russell
devotes his mastery of tone color to four of Francesco
Canova da Milano's fantasias and ricercars, after
which the set of popular-style dances by Pietro
Paolo Borrono and Joan Ambrosio Dalza bring the
guitarist's journey to a relaxed and satisfying
conclusion. Scott Paulin
Barnes & Noble, May 2006
GRAMMY-award winning classical guitarist David
Russell takes listeners on a captivating journey
back to the Renaissance period with Renaissance
Favorites for Guitar. The release marks Russell’s
eleventh recording for Telarc and his first comprehensive
study of the Renaissance era.
“One of the most significant musical developments
of the Renaissance was the evolution of idiomatic
instrumental styles and a technical language sufficiently
sophisticated to sway the emotions without a sung
text,” according to Richard Rodda, author of the
recording’s liner notes. “English, Italian, and
Spanish composers in the decades around 1600 created
an especially rich repertory of works for lute and
guitar, instruments highly prized both for cultivated
social use and at court. This recital by David Russell
captures the spirit of that great age of music through
some of its most enduring compositions.”
The recording includes pieces by familiar as well
as lesser known composers from the Renaissance era.
From the canon of John Dowland, Russell performs
“Come Away (Come Again),” “Go From My Window” and
“Fantasia,” as well as Dowland’s lesser-known “Semper
Dowland Semper Dolens,” “Piper’s Pavan” and “Lady
Hunsdon’s Puffe.” Other works include Francesco
Canova de Milano’s “Fantasia XIII, VI and XX,” William
Byrd’s “The Woods So Wild,” Pietro Paolo Borrono’s
“Peschatore che va cantando” and Joan Ambrosio Dalza’s
“Piva.”
David Russell is heralded worldwide for his superb
musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned
the highest praise from audiences and critics alike.
In recognition of his great talent and his international
acclaim, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy
of Music in London in 1997. Most recently, Russell
received an homage from the music conservatory of
Vigo, culminating with the opening of the new Auditorium,
to which they gave the name “Auditorio David Russell.”
Upon winning a GRAMMY Award in the U.S. for his
2004 Telarc release, Aire Latino (Best Instrumental
Soloist in Classical Music), Russell received the
silver medal of Nigrán from the town in Spain
where he resides.
For an incredible collection of Renaissance music,
take note of David Russell’s Renaissance Favorites
for Guitar.
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