Classical Music: Meisinger The Spanish Album

Meisinger: The Spanish Album

Manuel de Falla Danza Española No. 1; Danza del molinero; Canción del fuego fatuo Traditional: Romance de amor; Francisco Tárrega Recuerdos de la Alhambra; Gran jota Aragonesa; Maurice Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte; Traditional El Vito; En noy de la mare; Luigi Boccherini Introduction and Fandango; Issac Albéniz Preludio, Op. 232 No. 1; Vicente Amigo Requiem y Roma

Krzysztof Meisinger (guitar) Patrycja Betley (percussion) Meisinger Soloists
Chandos CHAN 20382
chandos.net

This popular programme of arrangements accompanied by strings and percussion sees Krzysztof Meisinger setting our feet tapping with deliciously rhythmic vitality. As a charismatic classical guitarist, these performances simply ooze with warmth.

As Nigel Simeone notes in the liner notes, "The string accompaniments on this recording add warmth, colour, and sustaining harmonies to support the guitar, and to these have been added improvised percussion parts – from red-blooded castanets to the delicate, atmospheric sounds of bar chimes. Through all this, the guitar is the eloquent soloist, and the musical embodiment of Spain."

There's so much to enjoy in these alluring arrangements as Meisinger treats us to a medley that encapsulates Spanish colour and warmth. He gets to the soul of each piece, creating vivid imagery. The "Pavane pour une infante défunte has some magical moments from Patrycja Betely's percussion and some resonant strings. Fauré was born in the Basque town of Ciboure, a short distance from the Spanish border, and his mother had grown up in Madrid – perhaps explaining its inclusion.

Meisinger is never at a loss with the more vibrant rhythmic pieces, and his guitar truly sings in the traditional Andalusian dancing song El Vito that celebrates St Vitus (patron saint of dance). Meisinger conveys the lively spirit with panache. The Preludio Asturias captures the essence of Spain perfectly, with beautiful expressive effects conjuring up a typical balmy Spanish landscape.

Vicente Amigo's Requiem y Roma is delightful in how the instruments communicate, evoking different emotions. As Simeone points out, these two pieces make admirable companions and present an opportunity to hear the 'nuevo flamenco' style of which Amigo has become one of the leading living exponents.

There are many glorious moments on this sparkling album that will appeal to both classical aficionados and newcomers to Spanish guitar music alike. Meisinger has created something special here – a recording that captures the passion and romance of Spanish musical tradition while remaining thoroughly accessible and engaging.