Aire Latino - Latin American Music for Guitar

The classical guitar is most intimately associated with Spain (and is, in fact, sometimes referred to as the Spanish guitar to distinguish it from the steel-string acoustic guitar more popular in the United States). So it should come as no surprise that the former Spanish colonies in Central and South America should have a rich tradition of guitar music, and that there would be something just a little bit different about it. This collection of Latin American works, all performed by the astoundingly virtuosic Scottish guitarist David Russell, covers most of the major centers of guitar artistry in Central and South America, concentrating particularly on Brazil and Argentina, and focusing on works of the 20th century. There are pieces by the usual suspects (Manuel Ponce, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Dilermando Reis) as well as some impressive works by such living composers as Pablo Escobar, whose solo guitar arrangement of "Chopí", the Paraguayan national dance, is one of the album's highlights, and the Argentine-American composer Jorge Morel, whose Sonatina is the album's longest and most sophisticated work. Russell's playing is insightful and elegant throughout. Very highly recommended.