Eleven-String Baroque

A world-class musician, classic repertoire, and a recording team that knows how to maximize studio conditions to produce a CD that's faithful to all concerned--that's what we have in this expertly programmed, masterfully performed, sensitively recorded recital by Swedish guitarist Göran Söllscher. The music consists of works Söllscher has performed often in concert but has never recorded--and we are the beneficiaries, enjoying the interpretive payoff resulting from the soloist's considerable experience with these pieces.

And the musical riches are substantial, from Bach's Sonata No. 1 (a Söllscher transcription of the solo violin sonata BWV 1001) to the suprisingly sophisticated and engaging Pachelbel Suite (originally for lute). Also notable are the melodious Andante by Johan Helmich Roman, the sweet and gentle Aria by Ernst Baron, the pleasingly familiar transcription of Bach's Menuet in G (from the Anna Magdalena Notebook), and the fresh rendition of the "Air" from Bach's D major orchestral suite (the infamously titled "Air on the G string"), which in Söllscher's hands comes off as a stately dance.

You can't ask for a performer more in touch with his repertoire or his instrument, in this case an 11-string guitar that possesses an impressively vibrant, resonant voice and is capable, thanks to Söllscher's technique and stylistic mastery, of limitless expressive range. And throughout, we hear every line clearly articulated and properly weighted according to context. It's a pleasure to hear such confident, assured playing, infused with what we can only conclude must be sheer joy felt by a musician performing some of his favorite pieces. Some listeners may find the sound too close and Söllscher's instrument unrealistically huge--but I found it invigorating and absolutely correct for conveying the personality of Söllscher's guitar and affording uninhibited access to the depth and detail of these engaging works. A pleasure. [9/10/2004]  --David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com