Way back in the mid-1970s, early in my classical guitar studies, I had the good fortune to play for the Peruvian guitarist and Barrios specialist Jesus Benites. He gave me an encouraging critique of the Bach prelude I had played for him then recommended several Barrios pieces and Etudes. He followed up with a scathing indictment of Segovia claiming he sabotaged Barrios's attempts to tour Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. Although Williams doesn't confirm the accusations made by Benites his assessment of Segovia lends credibility to them.
That said, I do admire several aspects of Segovia's technique. He had an amazingly broad tonal pallet and a wonderful ability to create magical moments combining rubato and a delicious vibrato, especially in the Spanish repertoire.
P.S. I did learn the pieces suggested by Benites and consider The Cathedral to be a modern masterpiece!
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