Asturias -Which version do you prefer?

[HNLim]

Asturias by Isaac Albeniz as played on the guitar which I first heard was in 1978 as played by John Williams on the radio has always captivated me since then. I have always enjoyed listening to this piece but playing this piece has always intimidated me. It was only very recently that I was able to play the entire piece but with plenty of stoppages, mistakes, buzzing and aching left thumb. I am still struggling with this piece but enjoying it nonetheless as I am improving slowly bit by bit with lesser pain now on my left thumb and lesser stoppages along the way.

While practicing the piece I looked up Youtube to gain some inspiration to push me on. I always had the impression that the guitar version is better than the piano version until I heard this version on the piano.

Which version of “Asturias” do you prefer? The piano or guitar version.

[Paikon]

Isaak Albeniz wrote for piano but with guitar music of Andalusia in mind .Back then he would take the train and stay on every city of Andalusia for a few days and he would write a musical piece for the city.Sevilla, Cordoba,Cadiz,Granada are piano compositions which sound beautiful on guitar.

i like teh Asturias on guitar like all the other compositions that can be played on guitar but i am guitarist so i am maybe biased
i also like better Enrique Granados on guitar too

[Starwars]

I've never dived into the classical scene too much as far as the guitar goes, but I've always loved the drama of Asturias. Such a wonderful piece.

For the question, I'm a bit two-fold. I always preferred the faster bits on the guitar, but for the slow middle section, I like it more on the piano.

[the.ronin]

I can't say I prefer one over the other, each has their own personality but as a guitar player I can certainly appreciate the dexterity and precision required to play this piece.

Originally Posted by Paikon

Isaak Albeniz wrote for piano but with guitar music of Andalusia in mind .Back then he would take the train and stay on every city of Andalusia for a few days and he would write a musical piece for the city.Sevilla, Cordoba,Cadiz,Granada are piano compositions which sound beautiful on guitar.

Cool background info, Paikon!

[stevejazzx]

better guitar version here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pSaww4g4Cg

[JoeCharter]

Bream is superb -- but for this tune in particular I have to go with John Williams. I think his style is perfect for this piece.

My favourite video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEfFbuT3I6A

[Paikon]

...and a different aproach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLwVXM72g5M

[toomanyknots]

I remember reading that Isaac Albeniz told Tarrega when Tarrega played his transcription on guitar for him, that he liked his version on guitar better,... so I guess Isaac Albeniz prefer the guitar version, !

[toomanyknots]

Originally Posted by Paikon

...and a different aproach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLwVXM72g5M

I can't even make it 30 seconds listening to that, lol.

[Paikon]

Originally Posted by toomanyknots

I can't even make it 30 seconds listening to that, lol.

the fun starts at 45 sec

[stevejazzx]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

Bream is superb -- but for this tune in particular I have to go with John Williams. I think his style is perfect for this piece.

My favourite video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEfFbuT3I6A

You're joking right?
I can't imagine anyone who knows anything about guitar (and you know I like your playing!) and/or this piece would prefer Williams' version (of anything).
Honestly Bream is so much better in every way the only people I encounter who think Williams is better are relative 'new-commers' without much exposure to the classical repertoire. Listen to the piano versions of Suite Espanola (I'm aware Austurias is not part of this; this is just an example) and then listen to Breams guitar interpretations - they are magnificent; they manage to lift the original music (which is very mediocre btw relative to the work of his contemporaries (Granados, De Falla etc) and give it direction, tone and soul.

Getting back to Leyanda (Austurias) Both Segovia and Williams' versions are too rigid/stiff. The chordal sections don't flow into the alternate picking sections smoothly enough something which Bream addresses directly. When it comes to the mid section (the part which starts off with b octave at the seventh fret Bream again demonstrates his musical superiority both in terms of technique and interpretation. (Below link from 2.07 on)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pSaww4g4Cg
Even the little b major arpeggio before the bridge sounds so much nicer in Breams Hands.
Then have a listen to Austurias outro from around 3.55 on. You prefer Williams? Why? How?

Lets talk about Fernando Sor and his much acclaimed 'Variations on a theme by Mozart' - have a listen to Williams Version then Breams; I am afraid you'll have to take my word for it or search them out (as they don;t appear to be available online on YT) but Williams version is exactly like a good students version and Breams is a work of art.
Here he is playing Grand Solo (another Sor piece) - I don't think Williams recorded this (I imagine he would have at some stage) it's a pity the youtube version Breams one cuts out at 5mins as the ending is superb.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3_0qkzR6AM
Skip to 1.50 - 3mins if you can't sit through whole thing.

Bream mastered a lot of early music and baroque music initially with the lute and then started playing which gave him a unique starting point
Here's a Bach Fugue in A minor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mZvdGAGlOo
No-one plays this half as good on guitar. Trust me. [re sound quality not good on this but put aside and just listen]

If you need to further convincing listen to the most difficult pieces in the repertoire
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spanish-Guit.../dp/B000026GX4
The above CD is one of the greatest guitar recordings in history and contains legendary recording of Tres Piezas Espanol by Bream.

And what about that other major composer Granados (another piano guy transcribed for guitar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzHQaR2cyY0
Bream again is simply flawless; better than the original - this is playing by a next level musician. I can use the term 'master' here without hesitation.

I have spent 20 years listening to classical guitar music Joe. Williams bores me to tears. Bream on the other hand always thrills me.
This is all my own personal preference and opinion of course but you see whenever I've tried to engage with anyone in a detailed discussion about the two where I passionately explain in detail my preferences, invariably the other person either says that they are not an expert or that they were just repeating something they had heard other guitarists saying about Williams.

Steve

[Bern]

Obviously, Williams is a world class guitarist, but slightly too mechanical for my taste. Bream, on the other hand, is much more expressive no matter he plays.

[Paikon]

well, we are off topic here but personally i think that there are greater guitarists than those two ....at least in specific music
personally
i like classical music played from ANIELLO DESIDERIO
i like J.S.Bach played from Stephan Schmidt
i like Latin American music played from Assad brothers
etc etc
i like Enrique Granados played from these "unknown" compatriots of mine than the super duo Bream/Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxb6BJYR5fs

[mc1]

hnlim, they were both quite incredible versions, but i preferred the guitar version. another day, or different versions, i might feel differently.

Originally Posted by Paikon

well, we are off topic here but personally i think that there are greater guitarists than those two ....at least in specific music ...
i like J.S.Bach played from Stephan Schmidt
...

i agree. i used to think bream's fugue from his 'baroque guitar' (probably my most listened to classical guitar recording), was the best, but i really can't say that anymore. there are many outstanding versions, such as the one by stephan schmidt. i have a frank bungarten cd of him playing bach that is fantastic (but no youtube of bwv 1001).

stephan schmidt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr3PJmRcs-o

simon dinnigan (went a listening on youtube and thought this was very good):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z2ptiznGMY

enno voorhorst (another very fine version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3IUBYhEKz4

sorry for the continued hijack.

[Paikon]

[QUOTE=mc1;3313650

simon dinnigan (went a listening on youtube and thought this was very good):
[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z2ptiznGMY[/URL]

i like this
thanks for posting