John Williams - Cordoba, Isaac Albeniz

[MrGranitealchemist]

I agree, John seems nearly flawless almost like a robot .He also doesn't add extra flash like Julian Bream or Georg Gulyas( who both play Cordoba beautifully)

* side note*I would like to hear John play Pavane Capricho from Albeniz, Does anyone know if he recorded this song? I cant seem to find it anywhere.

[StringsOfHarmony]

I listen to this daily.

[dmelv]

I am most impressed by not a single squeek..... or any finger noise whatsoever!

[Dragonforce55kid]

Is he playing on a Cordoba C7. Looks exact!

[XianXiuHong]

@Dragonforce55kid He plays on Greg Smallman guitars.

[cihad2003]

benefits of meeting what?

[Musificationization]

John Williams is definately the best of the best. This music is absolutely flawless, his practice sure has payed off.

[bradleyt1]

Amazing... The Best.

[ojkqweyrfiwegwelg]

Williams version is amazing but Julian Bream's version is better.

[Alceste1977]

Love this piece of music, think it sounds beautiful on the guitar which is my instrument. However, bit tickled when he calls this "real guitar music" since it was composed for the piano (and sounds lovely on the piano too).

[DHTCF]

Although I sometimes prefer Bream for some pieces, Williams' interpretation of Cordoba is peerless.

[achyasha]

there are 1-2 people disliking all John Williams videos. They have something personal with him I suppose.

[Guitarist500]

Fake ;D trolololol

[gipcarp]

I got hold of William´s recording of bwv 995and 996.He also plays "chaconne" and something that sounds very much like cantata 156 (arioso)where can i get the tab or sheet music for the latter,and what´s the pieece called?

[kenmaugee]

magistral, beau, calme, expressif, subtilissime, nuances très vivaces et son lointain ni triste ni gai, idéal hypnotisant vagabond, aride évanescent saisissant trippant

[MikeyIV]

piano music like this transcribed to guitar is really pretty... the harmonies are very rich!

[mypersonalhome99]

Che schifo !

[zaexish]

such an inspirational guitarist with a unique talent.....i have listened to him for 25 years and played this piece myself many times....I only learned to play because of listening to Requerdos del'ahambra.

so i would just like to say thanks for making me smile many times..

[CT2507]

such a nice piece... transports u to old spain emidiately.

[amschu04]

we're playing an arrangement of this for our sax ensemble, it's my favorite piece by far.

[weidside]

2 people....... hahahahaha

[neeknight1211]

Agreed, Smallman guitars are spectacular for performance because they project so well. As far as tone, they leave much to be desired. I love Williams on Bach. Albeniz, he could breath a little more.

[dalecampbl7]

this work is awesome...good transcription of the piano version...95% same

[newislandguitar]

nice music here...he's pretty good!

[cheetofacedon]

makes me proud to be part spanish WOOO!

[cosamonosa]

Preciosaaaaaaa *-*

[tarquin161234]

I love spanish guitar videos with romantic footage of Spain. Especially JB's Guitarra. If you've never seen it and you enjoy this too, get hold of that video trust me.

[kei19690113]

Very nice! Thank you. (TS)

[60moo]

Of all classical guitarists, John Williams is the one I admire the most. But...this performance of Cordoba is a real let-down.

So colourless and uncharacteristically uninspiring! Not a patch on Julian Bream's evocative rendition. And, hate to say this, but even poor old Eliot Fisk (whose playing I generally loathe) can teach JW a thing or two about giving some genuine meaning to the music.

[ryrides]

@60moo

Totally disagree, JW's music is fantastic. Ill say this again, dont judge a player by his lack of facial expression and movement/charisma when he plays. turn off the video and just listen, its really very good.

[60moo]

@ryrides I'm not talking about JW's facial expressions. The musical expression here is so understated at times, as to be unstated. He's not working the phrases and passages anywhere near enough.

[RomanCoronado]

@60moo Agreed.  Williams is a very good guitarist and he's very accurate in terms of hitting all the notes. But I've always felt that his interpretations, especially on spanish pieces, were a bit too robotic, almost as if he's just going through the motions. Plus it doesn't help that he plays on a Smallman guitar. Those, in my opinion, are god awful guitars when it comes to tone. I can't tell from this video if he's playing on a Smallman or not. Audio is slightly distorted.

[ditman333]

@RomanCoronado How can you say the Smallman is a bad guitar if you cant even tell if its one or not? He may look robotic but John Williams is one of the Best guitarist there is. If you ever listen to Paco Pena or many famous famous guitarist they all give Williams substantial credit, and say that he is the best guitarist. The Greg Smallman guitar is one of the most expensive guitars there are today, and greatest sounding. You cant get that tone out of any guitar know to man. Its magnificent

[RomanCoronado]

@ditman333 As I said I can't tell from the video if it's a Smallman because of the audio. But I've seen JW in concert a few times and each time he played on a Smallman so I'm just assuming it's the same here. Just because a guitar is "one of the most expensive guitars there are today" doesn't mean it's the best. Everyone has different preferences. Personally, I don't like Smallman guitars. Give me a Ramirez circa 1970 or a Simon Marty any day over a Smallman.

[gobacktorussia]

i love this recording too much to hear john williams voice over this. as much as i love the documentary it from

[mmm28875]

¡¡¡ Viva España !!.

[nomukodonosor]

dammit john... TEACH ME! -thanks

[ciaconna1004]

there´s no sound like this Greg Smallman......amayzing but......i miss the Romanillos togheter again!!!

[generalludd]

Williams is a peerless guitarist. His performances are both technically flawless and musically inspirational.

[waxpusher]

@generalludd I disagree. In my opinion Williams has great technical ability but no sense of emotional connection with the music.

[gobacktorussia]

@generalludd i agree, he seems to play effortlessly and it comes through in the music, an extreme version of the feeling i get playing a truly excellent guitar, gliding over the stings effortlessly. for me he is the best guitarist alive

[akhrojjamal]

@generalludd it's Albeniz whose playing.. he is flawless

[crackoish]

@akhrojjamal albeniz has died 1909 ..

[bigmuso123]

The Guitar is made by Smallman , carbon fibre struts.

[VulcanZoso]

Anybody have the Sheet music for this? i wanna learn to play this.

[frood19]

i got a book out of library today called 'classical guitar masterpieces' and this is in it along with most of the 'sevilla' albeniz stuff, and some other monsters like recuerdos de la alhambra.

it's a good'un!

[tewhere1]

yes I had this whole video..damn i miss it..some real gems..but my fave will always be..the one by Juaquin Rodrigo

[CRISTI9595]

Ke buena musica, ke buen guitarrista y ke buen video, GUAI!!!

[poupee58]

John Williams is a wonderful player ,all he needs is to buy a good guitar and he is all set.

[ChicorelliC]

..............that is a great guitar, Its actually a baroque guitar

[riksuv]

why? what's wrong with his guitar?

[Camilo870913]

El maestro es un gran interprete.

[verdi0381]

Beautyfull version. Williams have a feelling of sens and charm in his interpretations. This piece is particullary glorious.... inspire some many thinks: Moorish spain, ancient times, exhuberance and sorrow... I have listen this piece one hundred times, and I want more.....

[SingHouse]

nicely said buddy

[nicoheckens1]

this song goes well with an energy drink. : ) lol

[Leyenda1]

@verdi0381

Thank you friend. I could not have said it better.

[geojones69]

MAESTRO!!!!

[SingHouse]

the definite version for guitar is by williams

[LeykVan]

PERFECT!!! The name of Albeniz is John Willians. No doubt, the best. Thank you MAESTRO!!!

[esaval]

Brilliant I wish I could play like this!

[pablodaniel449]

very good!

[redhotRISPOLIpeppers]

soooooo gooooooooooooooooooooood omg

[Fisherdec]

w3hat a great song and well played