Rodrigo: Sonada de adiós 'Hommage à Paul Dukas' - CD

“A first-class collection from the perceptive and sympathetic Artur Pizarro. He opens brilliantly with Rodrigo’s evocation of Albéniz, A l’ombre de Torre Bermeja, here, as elsewhere, bringing out its affinities with the guitar. … Among the simpler items, the nostalgic Preludio, and delicate Pastorale, the rippling Serenata española and charming Air de Ballet are all highly beguiling. In sum, Pizarro captures the varying moods of this music very well. If you have not discovered Rodrigo at the piano I urge you to try this generous collection, vividly recorded and with excellent booklet-notes by Graham Wade: you won’t be disappointed.” Gramophone

“Rodrigo's piano music appears infrequently in the recital room, though excellent two-CD surveys have appeared: Gregory Allen on Bridge and Sara Marianovich on Sony. Now comes a first-class collection from the perceptive and sympathetic Artur Pizarro, who opens brilliantly with Rodrigo's evocation of Albéniz, A l'ombrede Torre Bermeja, here, as elsewhere, bringing out its affinities with the guitar. Cuatro Piezas include a glittering 'Fandango' and a touchingly pensive 'Prayer of the Princess of Castille', while among the Andalusian Pictures (Cuatro Estampasandaluzas), 'Twilight over the Guadalquivir River' makes a reflective contrast with the quirky bravura of the devilish 'Seguidillas'.
Among the simpler items, the nostalgic Preludio, and delicate Pastorale, the rippling Serenataespañola and charming Air de Ballet are all highly beguiling. Pizarro captures the varying moods of this music very well. This generous collection is vividly recorded and with excellent bookletnotes by Graham Wade.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

"(…) possessed of the technique most others can dream of (…) they may well become world-beaters." Gramophone

“The best of the established guitar duos have consisted of players who are/were either married or blood-related – favourable conditions for in-built empathy. Presti-Lagoya set the pace in the 1960s, one which has still to be fully matched. Now we have the Hungarian duo of the Katona twins, possessed of a technique most others can only dream of. Their needlesharp unanimity of thought and attack is such that listening 'blind' you might wonder how a player could possibly have so many digits. Rodrigo wrote only two works for two guitars, the Tonadilla and (with orchestra) the Conciertomadrigal. Neither has been better recorded than here. In the latter the recorded balance often tips slightly in favour of the orchestra, but this is a minor quibble. In order to flesh out the aprogramme the Katonas have made admirable arrangements of six piano pieces written between 1931 and 1981, and these magnificently played versions for two guitars should keep Rodrigo aficionados happy enough. The Katonas have yet to parallel the emotional depth and warmth of Presti-Lagoya, but they have youth on their side and, being in total command of every other necessary 'tools', they may well become world-beaters. This is a stunning disc, to which the orchestra and recording engineers have made fitting contributions.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“Includes valuable historic recordings by the composer himself. Superb playing and recording.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2010 *****