John Williams - "Spirit of the Guitar: Music of the Americas" - 1990

John Williams records another great CD. From the thrilling opening, "Sunburst" by Andrew York, through Mangore', Brouwer, and Charlie Byrd, the music is very well-chosen and impeccably performed. Bursting with energy, South American dance rhythms or slow and melacholy, these are great pieces.
This music goes in a completely different direction from, say, Bach or Scarlatti or Albeniz or Tarrega. It's the American sound in many of its guises. Wonderful music. One of my favorite classical guitar CD's.
The first 11 recordings from this CD are among my favorite of all guitar recordings, epecially "Sunburst," "Aconquija," "Verano Porteno," "Natalia," and "Cueca." Both the performances and the recording quality are outstanding.

On this CD:

1. Sunburst for guitar
Composed by Andrew York
with John [guitar] Williams

2. Suite Andina, for guitar, No. 2, Aconquija
Composed by Agustin Barrios-Mangore
with John [guitar] Williams

3. El Ultimo canto
Composed by Agustin Barrios-Mangore
with John [guitar] Williams

4. Verano porteño, tango (incl. in Cuatro estaciones porteñas [The Four Seasons])
Composed by Astor Piazzolla
with John [guitar] Williams

5. Lullaby for guitar
Composed by Andrew York
with John [guitar] Williams

6. Scherzino Mexicano for guitar
Composed by Manuel Ponce
with John [guitar] Williams

7. Venezuelan Waltzes (4) for guitar Natalia
Composed by Antonio Lauro
with John [guitar] Williams

8. Venezuelan Waltzes (4) for guitar El Niño
Composed by Antonio Lauro
with John [guitar] Williams

9. Venezuelan Waltzes (4) for guitar Maria Luisa
Composed by Antonio Lauro
with John [guitar] Williams

10. Suite Andina, for guitar, No. 5, Cueca
Composed by Agustin Barrios-Mangore
with John [guitar] Williams

11. Berceuse
Composed by Leo Brouwer
with John [guitar] Williams

12. Danza Caracteristica for guitar
Composed by Leo Brouwer
with John [guitar] Williams

13. Blues (3) for classical guitar
Composed by Charles Byrd
with John [guitar] Williams

14. Chôros No. 1, for guitar, "Tipico brasileiro", A. 161
Composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos
with John [guitar] Williams

15. El Colibri for guitar ("The Hummingbird")
Composed by Julio S. Sagreras
with John [guitar] Williams

16. Norteña for guitar
Composed by Jorge Gomez Crespo
with John [guitar] Williams