Ausiàs Parejo (guitar)
Laureate Series Recital
rec. 2023, FJR Studios, Granada, Spain
Naxos 8.574623 [64]
In the absence of any formal curriculum, and with no presence in the university seats of learning, the guitar floundered for 150 years, seeking recognition and acceptance as a legitimate concert instrument. The practice among the Spanish of the father, or a relative, being the primary source of tutelage persisted well into the 20th century.
Interestingly, the guitarist featured in this CD appears to have no formal academic credentials, or academic CV. He was taught from the age of four by his father, Rubén Parejo, who happens to be the Professor of Guitar at the University of Valencia. Rubén Parejo was a student of the great José Luis González (Julio) who was also initially taught the guitar by his father.
The didactic records of both John Williams and Julian Bream reflect the same environmental academic deficiencies that persisted well into the 20th century. Although Williams received expert tutelage from his father Len, Julian Bream, aside from the odd lesson from Segovia, was autodidactic.
Ausiàs Parejo was born in 2006 into a long line of Spanish guitarists. The precursor to what we hear on this recording is the winning of 37 national and international guitar competitions, including the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America competition; he has also given performances in the USA, Japan, and across Europe. While his debut recording included support artists, this Naxos CD is his first solo recording.
The liner notes are informative, and well written by Rubén Parejo; who better to have insight into a guitarist and his repertory, than the father/tutor of the musician? The notes refer to three programme items as forming the cornerstone of the Spanish and American guitar repertory: these items (tracks 1,5 and 8) are described as ‘combining idiomatic colour and rhythmic vivacity, as well as offering formidably ambitious interpretive and technical challenges to the performer’. The Juan Erena composition (tr 4) is dedicated to Ausiàs Parejo, and was composed for the 15th Alhambra Competition. Choro Rosa (2010) is an original work by Rubén Parejo. Unfortunately, José Luis González never recorded his composition Mis Hijos. Those who have heard him play it, or indeed the masterful rendition by Rubén Parejo, may hear faint echoes of it in track 18.
On a guitar recording, several things collectively contribute to the overall impression of tonal quality. It is virtually impossible to precisely isolate the contribution of the guitarist, especially if it is major; this must remain in the domain of live performance. That said, the tone heard on this recording is excellent, and anticipated reality is favoured over conjecture in assessing the technique of this guitarist as the major contributor. On this occasion the sound is mellow, balanced and varied, the desired hallmarks of a refined player.
This CD is a masterful recording, both musically and technically. It reflects not only innate capacity, but also the dedication of a musician who, at the age of 17, is able to perform to world-class standards. He was only one year younger when winning the Alhambra International Competition in 2022. Ausiàs Parejo was described by guitarist/composer Joaquin Clerch as destined to become one of the most significant classical guitarists of the century: ‘Rarely have I met a musician who embodies the perfect balance between human intellectual and artistic qualities. As a life-long lover of guitar, I can only thank him for his extraordinary work’.
The guitar used on this occasion is by luthier Javier Menjual who appears to work under the umbrella of the Alhambra Guitar Company. The sound of this spruce-topped instrument is the antithesis of many of the lattice-braced guitars used by today’s leading guitarists. While makers like M. Dammann may have evolved from traditional designs, there are many who argue that his traditional instruments of the 1990s, sound better, tonally, than his current work.
In all aspects, this is an excellent and enjoyable recording.
Zane Turner
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Contents
Carlos Guastavino (1912-2000)
Guitar Sonata No 1 (1967)
Juan Erena (b. 1970)
Luz del Alba (2021)
Manuel Ponce (1882-1948)
Sonata III (1927)
Leo Brouwer (b. 1939)
La Ciudad de las Columnas
Variaciones sobre Pieza sin titulo No 1 (2004)
Lorenzo Palomo (b. 1938)
El Manantial (2019) *
Rubén Parejo (b. 1946)
Chôro a Rosa (2010)
*World Premiere Recording
