Album: Charles Ramirez, Rodrigo (Signum Classics)

Guitar virtuoso Charles Ramirez is on supple, sensitive form on this collection of Rodrigo suites, accompanied on the "Concierto de Aranjuez" and "Fantasia para un gentilhombre" by the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, before closing with the solo piece "Elogio de la guitarra".

The "Concerto" is the classical guitar composition par excellence, light and absorbing, with the spirited first movement giving way to the second movement's darker depths before the pastoral closing section concludes on a positive note. The "Fantasia" was based on themes collected by Gaspar Sanz, the 17th- century composer who helped establish the guitar as a serious instrument.

DOWNLOAD THIS Concierto de Aranjuez; Fantasia para un gentilhombre