My three favourite guitar players

by John
(Madrid, Spain)

1.) Julian Bream. His interpretations always seem perfect, as if there should be no other way of playing, the music of Bach, Albéniz, Granados and Tárrega.

He plays in such a way that all I hear is the music not the instrument, which seems to just melt into the music and I almost forget he is actually playing the guitar.

He reminds me of the pianist Wilhelm Kempff in that way. He is one of the most expressive musicians I've ever heard.

2.) Pepe Romero. Amazing repertoire and superb interpreter of practically anything he touches, especially Spanish romantic music. He works especially well with his family, all of whom are as good as he.

3.) John Williams: the most gifted musician and the most amazingly diverse repertoire. His interpretations of Barrios are unsurpassable, and he makes almost every technically daunting piece look and sound like child's play. His duets with Julian Bream are a real treat.

All the above players are up there with the likes of Itzhak Perlman, Maurizio Pollini, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Rostropovich etc, because they have complete command over their instrument and they make it sing and speak, with their phrasing, intonation, and in their ability to interact with other musicians.