I’ve been fortunate enough to listen to over the last few weeks to the latest recording by London-based Japanese guitarist Kazu Suwa. Incidentally, Kazu’s website is one of the websites I feature on my “Links To Other Stuff” page: http://www.kazu-classicalguitar.co.uk/releases.html

And it’s a cracking recording of 22 delightfully played pieces including classics of the repertoire alongside some fantastic guitar arrangements of Catalan composer’s Frederic Mompou’s piano works, one transcribed by Kazu himself. More on those in a bit.

The classics on the recording including much-loved favourites such as Adelita, Lagrima and Capricho Arabe amongst six pieces by Francisco Tarrega. The latter two are particular favourites of mine on the recording I have to say. As well-loved as they are there can be a tendency for these pieces to be over-played and over-recorded. However I do feel that Kazu’s interpretation is really quite fresh particularly on the Capricho Arabe – a deft, delicate yet virtuosic touch with a lovely lilting musicality, really bringing out the essence of that Romantic style without overdoing it and being overly schmaltzy. Spot on.

The Tarrega pieces are followed by three Abel Fleury pieces – again played with a beautiful touch. The little Estilo Pampeano is my favourite of the three for sure – gorgeous, and proving he’s equally at home with the Latin side of the repertoire as he is with the Romantic stuff. And this is reinforced by the equally beautiful Choro de Saudade by Augustin Barrios Mangore.

The album also features other pieces by Barrios, So, Garoto, Hector Ayala, Villa-Lobos and Reis (of which Eterna Saudade (Valsa) is definitely worthy of a mention – rich lush tone, aching melody played with a clear sense of longing. You can just feel the heartbreak coming through your headphones!

The standout favourites for me on the recording, in amongst all this beautiful playing, are Kazu’s interpretations of two Frederic Mompou pieces – Canço i Dansa No. XI (arranged by Kazu) and Canço i Dansa No. VI: Canço (arranged by Alirio Diaz). Both arrangements, and of course the playing, are just divine.

My favourite of the two is the Canço i Dansa No. XI (arranged by Kazu) and it sounds like it really is naturally at home on the guitar, rather than piano. A triumph of arrangement no less! And it’s a fantastic piece, beautifully played, with this perfectly balanced sense of musical aching that Kazu seems to be master of in the first section of the piece. It then moves into a section of the piece with a sunnier disposition, with that Kazu plays with equal style and musical direction.

And there are couple of chords, one around the 1:44 mark, one around the 2:44 and 3:34 mark in the recording, that are just so rich and juicy I want to eat them!

Overall this is a fantastic recording that deserves to be heard by as many guitar aficionados as possible, and much wider. Some sensitive, tasteful and well-informed playing of well-known favourites, wonderful arrangements and interpretations of lesser known works, paired up with just downright gorgeous playing.

This is a truly beautiful recording.

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Info on where to get your copy of the recording, and listen to some snippets, can be found here: http://www.kazu-classicalguitar.co.uk/releases.html