John Williams plays La Catedral by Agustín Barrios Mangoré

[cayo1912]

Sinceramente orgulloso de que Barrios haya nacido en la misma tierra roja que me vió nacer, su genio inmortal late en el seno de mi patria

[lsbouch]

Wow. What an incredible guitar technique. I've rarely heard a classical guitar player sound so smooth and flawless. Absolutely amazing.

[SeleneHellsing]

es una pieza ciertamente hermosa, pero si es algo dificil de tocar. bella interpretacion

[Scaar81]

epic song, epic composer, epic perform... john williams is great

[keman25]

The beginning of the 'Andante Religioso' is horrible. Otherwise, great performance!

[ThaDeeStylee]

@keman25 Why? Too fast? Personally I thought his delivery was kinda nice. Interesting feel.

[keman25]

@ThaDeeStylee Well, most players play it differently. The arpeggio on the first chord sounds unnatural to me, since the third note is lower than the second one. Plus, the rhythm of the successive melody is... strange. It's noted differently, at least on my version. It's a rhythm that is used throughout the whole piece, it doesn't make sense to play it differently the first time.

[LPmarkac]

And I still don't get it... How could someone write piece like this. La Catedral...

[mimbster1972]

Beautifully played and never a disappoinment. John Williams is so technically sound. The notes are very, very clean.

[micietta01]

un capolavoro!!!

[weareallmusicians]

The best composer, the best interpreter.

John Williams says of Agustín Barrios (Mangoré):

"I think he is the greatest guitar composer, in other words, guitarist who wrote guitar music, of all".

Even though I die for Villa Lobos and Rodrigo and Sors etc., I´m inclined to believe Williams ... Agustín Barrios was the greatest ... of all.

[Alexlowe88]

@weareallmusicians I absolutely agree. I am not educated musically. It took me a few months of listening to Barrios' music. Comparing with Sor, Scarlatti, Terraga, Rogdrigo and Villa Lobos (my favourite as well), Barrios' music is uniquely beautiful. I admit, some of them are very close to his home. But some are so modern, yet have that timeless feel to it. When one likes a piece of music that's because it brings pleasure listening to it. To me, it takes me to "other" places as well....

[MrSntna]

The faster interpretation of the tempo in movement two is fantastic

[Pipixcan1]

I am sure there is still many more years of guitar playing from John. Its sad that Julian Bream is no longer on the concert stage. I wonder who will take their place in the future. It would be interesting to know who they think are the best up and coming players in the world now?

[marmotamaxi]

Olle esas 4 personas que an puesto q no le gustan se habran equivocado...

[BigBossu1989]

I can't believe I FINALLY found the name of the Ace Combat 4 prelude! All that time I thought it was an original composition for the game and I couldn't believe how beautiful it was!

[focl2003]

It was written by the great Paraguayan composer Agustín Barrios Mangoré and it's quite famous amongst classical guitar players

[Alexlowe88]

@DarkGodThanos You know, I really wish John reorded this piece with his previous guitar, was it a Ramirez? The Smallman guitar has a unique sound. But personally, I still prefer his previous one. I listen to this piece everyday going to and back from work on my MP3. His technical mastery is amazing. But only pick up his emotion in the music on the third listen. Maybe it's me that is not so sensitive. But once I am there, there is no return. An absolute master.

[JacarandaMusic]

@Alexlowe88 - not Ramirez, Fleta.

[Alexlowe88]

@JacarandaMusic Thankyou for correcting. I should have done more research before I made a statement. You humble me... thankyou. But I think my statement still stand. In fact, I go as far as hoping to get hold of a Fleta myself - if I win the lottery that is.. haha

[focl2003]

I think exactly the same, Smallman's guitars are ok for specific types of music, however you have to remember that this album was recorded with an exaggerated resonance (in my opinion).

[noelwilde]

@Alexlowe88

I agree. The guitars he used to play were made by Ignacio Fleta and I heard him play these guitars unampified at many big halls in the UK. Last time I heard him he played the Greg Smallman guitars (at the Bridgewater Hall Manchester) amplified so much that he may as well have bought a Yamaha electro accoustic which would have probably sounded better.

[locotresveces]

una piesa magnifica!

[BalannKa]

Magnifique!! Mais ça à l'air hyper dur !!

[albenizski]

the 1st movement right hand pattern is good exercise for tremolo, this pattern will minimize the twitching (horse running sound) of the fingers when playing a tremolo piece like recuerdos

[focl2003]

Interesting

[pxiy321]

ACE COMBAT 4!!!!!

[FlyAwaySpark]

Drawn here by a video game, only to find something much more.

[PadreLuzifer]

beautiful

[bleedinfingers]

Are you sure this is John Williams? I never realized he did a recording of this piece! But it is an amazing rendition, and certain things here match his playing style...

[TeleUruguay]

Sin alma a la inglesa australiana no es Barrios

[dabuttarea]

LOL!!!!1111

[leirbag23]

Very difficult piece.

The fingerings alone, without even considering right-hand technique, are very complicated... only a true master of the guitar could play this piece with such steadiness and beauty. Bravo!

[TimmayDaFreak]

the 3rd movement of this peice discourages me from learning the other two.

[OLIVERA1961]

el maestro.5++++

[jeffreykevinguitar]

fire of composers for guitar AGUSTIN BARRIOS MANGORE and the fire of performers JOHN WILLIAMS. viva barrios and williams. <3

[iguitarro]

John Williams es uno de los mejores interpretes que conoscom, sin embargo en esta pieza no me gusto la interpretacion que le dio... en realidad dudo que en realidad sea john williams quien en realidad interpreta la pieza en este video...

[danyluis]

Es John Williams.

[Foraseroe]

maravilloso!!! composición e interprete... quiero mas, agradezco este vídeo y por favor, subid mas música clásica para guitarra...de esta calidad, please!

[paco2344]

@Foraseroe Esta interpretación es muy bella, pero, escuchad la emotiva versión,única en su género del Maestro Nicholas Petrou; os va a encantar !!

K- P.

[vasya1234567896]

Happines. J.W. is my idol

[chopin65]

Difficult piece. A master in his prime.

[ditman333]

@chopin65 its funny you say his prime. I don't think guitarist ever get worse with age. They accumulate more knowledge of music and understanding. We may think the elderly lose track of things but if you play guitar this long you don't forget, you increase in knowledge and skill.

[chopin65]

@ditman333 The reflexes and fingers of every musician age. The understanding however, it deepens and becomes more profound through the passage of time. Take for example Horowitz. He lost some of his dexterity as he reached the final years of his performing career. Yet his Scarlatti performance was even more delightful. Segovia too lost some of his technique, but who could match his voicing and touch at the fret board?

[OvertheHills821]

@ditman333 You may gain more experience over the years but you also lose coordination and dexterity in your hands. 

[ditman333]

@OvertheHills821 I guess hats true.

[danny7cris]

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

[chopin65]

@danny7cris Couldn't say it better myself.

[nzaiel]

Fantastic