I pressed "PLAY". David Russell's Dammann guitar started to sing the opening bars of the Prelude, Fugue and Allegro and I knew I was in for a rare treat. His playing of this piece - and every piece on this recording - combines a relaxed, flawless technique with the sensitive interpretations that mark him as one of the greatest classical guitarists of all time.Like many guitar afficianados one of the pieces I most relished hearing was the Chaconne from the second partita. Many have described this as one of the most perfect pieces of music ever written. Certainly, if Bach had written nothing else he would have gone down as one of the greatest composers in history. Whilst written for violin, this is one of those pieces that every great guitarist since Segovia has striven to master. Very few, however play the suite in its entirety and Russell's masterful playing of the whole suite places this wonderful finale in its true setting.
Whilst much of Bach's music transcends association with a particular instrument the Lute suite is as close as he ever got to writing for guitar. Russell's interpretation of this famous dance suite shows that the modern instrument serves this piece well and one is left wondering whether Bach would also have been seduced by the guitar, had he lived two centuries later.
The two much-loved chorales "Wachet auf" and "Jesu, joy" complete this gem of an album. Both are played with great sensitivity, engaging the listener without resorting to sentimentality.
If you love the guitar, Bach, or both, I couldn't recommend this recording more highly. Go out and buy it and enjoy!
