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Magnificent! Not to be missed!

Naxos Montenegrin Guitar Duo Bach English Suites II CD Cover

Stretto, Michel Dutrieue

Bach’s English suites are characterized by their quasi-improvisational opening preludes and dance movements, which contain a wide range of moods and styles, lively dances and the contemplative intensity of the slow Sarabandes. The performance on two guitars adds great value.

The fresh and historically sound arrangements for two guitars of these six masterpieces by the Montenegrin Guitar Duo were rightly called “simply ravishing” by the American Record Guide. The guitarists from the Balkan state remained faithful to the spirit of the original scores. Much has remained unaffected in their arrangements.

The requirements of the Suites are not overly challenging for a harpsichordist, but for a guitar duo the movements require a fast tempo and great virtuosity. Goran Krivokapić and Danijel Cerovic play the works in the tempi Bach intended. For guitar lovers and all other music lovers alike, these are two absolutely essential CDs. What’s more, they are beautifully recorded.

[…]

The final Suite, No. 6, opens in choral style in 9/8, with elegant, broken chords. This is interrupted by a sudden acceleration, leading to a brilliantly fugal Allegro. This is the most extensive of all the Préludes in the English suites. The Allemande that follows is, in comparison – with beautiful, contrapuntal writing and ingenious modulations – an oasis of calm and the Courante unites a melodic line in French style with a sparkling, running bass. The Sarabande, in 3/2, has a hymn-like dignity and The Double extends the emotional range with a filigree woven texture that creates a fine sonority. The contrasting pair of Gavottes with a perky walking bass accompaniment brings the atmosphere of a pastoral dance. The second Gavotte evokes images of wind instruments that play a rustic chorus.

The Gigue, in 12/16, is virtuosic both in the compositional sense and in the technical requirements it places on the performers. Bach’s incomparable and unsurpassed skill is on full display here….leading to the formidable finale. Pure, warm, intimate; in short, played fantastically. Magnificent! Not to be missed!

Loose translation of the original review written in Dutch.

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Virtuosity and bravado

Mario Kurtjak, Kitarske novice

Naxos Montenegrin Guitar Duo Bach English Suites II CD Cover
If you acquire neither, you are missing out

Fanfare, Raymond Tuttle 

Naxos Montenegrin Guitar Duo Bach English Suites II CD Cover
Warm and bright, with accuracy, agility, articulation, definition and clarity

The Whole Note, Terry Robbins

Naxos Montenegrin Guitar Duo Bach English Suites II CD Cover
Precision of ensemble, the clarity of articulation, the rhythmic vitality and the exuberant ornamentation

Gramophone Magazine, William Yeoman

Naxos Montenegrin Guitar Duo Bach English Suites II CD Cover
Even more mutual sympathy and precision timing from the performers

Audio Video Club of Atlanta, Phil Muse

Naxos Montenegrin Guitar Duo Bach English Suites II CD Cover
Two absolutely totally essential discs

David’s Review Corner, David Denton

Very fine realizations that lovers of Bach and the guitar will appreciate

ClassicsToday.com, David Vernier

Fine transcriptions, brilliantly played

American Record Guide, Kenneth Keaton

Dynamic levels are nicely varied throughout, as are textures

Fanfare, Raymond Tuttle

The performance is flawless and accurate… This CD is then a must-have

Guitare Classique, Pacal Proust

The Montenegrin Guitar Duo translates Bach’s mastery of encompassing several musical styles within a single work through a new, refreshing instrumental texture

WGBH, CD of the week

Both men play extremely well

Classical Net, Brian Wigman

The scintillating performances by Krivokapić and Cerović capture the living spirit of Bach’s dance-inflected music

Audio Video Club of Atlanta, Phil Muse

The integration of the Montenegrins is so perfect you often have the feeling that just one performer is involved.

David’s Review Corner, David Denton

An exceptional guitar ensemble

Dušan Bogdanović – composer

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19/02/2025