This phenomenal review of reinventing guitar! by Smaro Gregoriadou comes from Thomas Tamvakos of Jazz & Tzaz Magazine. At the end of the review, please enjoy a video of Smaro Gregoriadou performing track 13 of reinventing guitar!, Balkan Dance No. 1 on a Bulgarian theme composed by Smaro Gregoriadou.
Magazine: JAZZ & TZAZ
Country: Greece
Issue number: 199
Month of release: October 2009
Page: 56
Department: RECORDS REVIEWS
Writer: Thomas Tamvakos
Title: SMARO GREGORIADOU: Reinventing Guitar! (Delos)In my previous written references about the talented musician Smaro Gregoriadou, I had already stressed how positive a contribution to her artistic popularity would be her impending cd edition Reinventing Guitar! released by the world famous California recording label Delos.
The quality of the final outcome, nevertheless, goes far beyond any expected goal. Reinventing Guitar! is a reference recording of wide-ranging importance and intentions. I personally place it in the group of guitar editions that change the flow of the history of the instrument, as far as musical composition and interpretation are concerned.
First, it is the originality at a universal level that dominates. By using instruments and tunings that occur for the first time in discography — made by the guitarist, composer, researcher and maker George Kertsopoulos, and representing Kertsopoulos Aesthetics — Smaro Gregoriadou expands in a unique way the sound horizon of the guitar, and achieves the desirable immediacy in the interpretation of early repertoire, such as D. Scarlatti’s Harpsichord Sonata L23 and J. S. Bach’s Baroque Lute Suite BWV995 in g minor based on the authentic Brussels manuscript.
Both arranged by Smaro Gregoriadou, these compositions
find a new triumphant discovery, whose main characteristics are excellence in performance and an –almost “pagan”- delight of hearing. Direct
comparison with colossi of guitaristic art in the same repertoire (P. Galbraith, L.
Orlandini, J. Williams) can only reinforce the standing of Smaro Gregoriadou.From the 18th Century, the great artist approaches the rather underestimated Spaniard Antonio José. The Sonata for Guitar of 1933 is maybe his greatest work, and the interpretation of Smaro Gregoriadou is directly analogue to this quality and undoubtedly superior to the one given by Frank Bungkarten.
From this formidable recording, Greek creation could not be missing. It is represented by two masterly works. The first, Some Colour’s Rhythms by G. Kertsopoulos, although of short duration (4 min), reflects the whole spectrum of philosophical – scientific research of the composer. The second, Balkan Dances by Smaro Gregoriadou, confirms her great ability to transform in a masterly way traditional musical motives into modern forms, offering to her audience wonderful aspects of personal interpretation; which, in combination with the generally exquisite production, establishes Reinventing Guitar! as the recording master work of the decade.
Thomas Tamvakos, writer/researcher/archivist/critic – Emeritus Member of
Greek Composers Union
www.tamvakosarchive.blogspot.com
http://www.eem.org.gr/members_detail_g.asp?id=210
To purchase this album, please click HERE