My Best Three

by Trevor from www.learnclassicalguitar.com

I'll start with my 3 best classical guitar players since it was my idea in the first place :))

No surprises here...Segovia, Bream & Williams.

Why?

I'm just amazed at what Segovia did to bring, or should I say, elevate the guitar from such a lowly position. The energy of the guy was amazing as was his dedication and pure love of the instrument.

It's a rare thing to see someone so passionately dedicated over such a long period of time. I mean the guy literally lived and breathed guitar for every moment of his life practically.

Bream? Just his wonderful sound and expression. There's not many I've listened to that can squeeze so much from a bar of music. Other performers on other instruments would do well to listen to his phrasing and coloring of musical passages.

Williams? Some people say he's "cold & mechanical" but I have to strongly disagree. He has a wonderful sound that is backed up by a phenomenal technique. And I love the way he is both cerebral AND plays with emotion in just about every recording I've heard.

He brings a certain gravitas yet seems so nonchalant at the same time as if he doesn't even realize what he is accomplishing. An example of this is to listen and watch him play Bach's Chaconne - truly amazing!

Well, there's my 3. Now I wish it was my first 103! But alas, must reign it in :))

Oh, I forgot! Brothers Slava and Leonard Grigoryan... OK Enough :)

Looking forward to other responses.

simply the best

by dave morgan
(england)

The best has to be the legend that is John Williams, a modern great, he's got the style as well as seemingly limitless ability.

A guitarist I've discovered recently is per Olov Kindgren. He arranges some timeless classics for solo guitar, but also writes beautiful melodic pieces himself.

I also love to listen to Edgar Cruz, who inspires more of the rock guitarist in me, his franetic playing and wonderful solos could accompany any road race scenes, although moderation is the key or I'd be rushing out to buy a flying V......!!!!!

The Best I've Heard So Far

by Gerry Busch
(Canada)

I'm going to list these three artists by the order in which I first heard them, rather than by preference, as I like them equally:

Julian Bream - He was the first classical guitarist I listened to back in 1965 (ancient history). Bream's interpretations of baroque works on both the guitar and the lute won me over immediately. I also admired his ability to connect directly with his concert audience through little talks about the music he was playing.

Jeffrey McFadden - I discovered him about ten years ago when purchasing some CDs from a Fernando Sor series on the Naxos label. He seems to bring out the best in Sor's works. Many guitarists manage to play Sor's pieces with great technical precision, but leave the music sounding rather dry. Not McFadden, however!

Denian Arcoleo - I discovered him in his YouTube videos last year. He does a terrific job with everything he plays -- nice, clean playing and wonderfully expressive interpretations. My favorite performances by Arcoleo are works by three famous Brazilian composers: Garoto, Pernambuco and Reis.

The best

John Williams
Julian Bream
David Russell
Manuel Baruecco

Best by Test

by Virgil
(Richmond, VA)

I like John Williams for his versatility with classical guitar. I like Sharon Isbin for her excellence in a male genre. I like Kanengiser for his ability to evoke feeling and emotion from his playing.

Best of the Best

1. Narciso Yepes, a real guitar GIANT : superb sound , musicianship & technique.
2.Julian Bream. Magnificent interpretation...
3.Christopher Parkening. A wonderful inspiration to all guitarists

JUST THE BEST OF THE BEST

by Mel
(CLermont Fl UA)

1. SEGOVIA - Need I say why?

2. JOHN WILLIAMS - Awesome

3. CHARO - Trained by Segovia, she mixes classical and Flamenco. Her music just really moves me.

Simply the best!

by Mike
(England)

John Williams, Julian Bream and Andres Segovia.
These three men are, or were in the case of Segovia, simply the best and are to be studied for their individual techniques.

Best Guitarist

by Lou
(New Jersey)

Even Though he is not a classical guitarist, Jimi Hendrix is no doubt the BEST EVER.

The Best of the Living & Dead-Tarrega, Sor and Berta Rojas

by Tom
(Mankato, Minnesota)

Tarrega was the Jimi Hendrix of his time. An amazing acrobatic player with a penchant for melody...

Sor was more subdued but paved a way for all who followed and...

Berta Rojas because I love the way she plays "Sueno en la floresta" - my favorite classical tune by Barrios Mangore!

The best of the best

by Himanshu
(India)

1) Andres Segovia - No Segovia No classical guitar for us
2) John Williams - The machine
3) David russell - Never heard any one play latin music with more expression than him

The Best

1) Andres Segovia
(a long distance)
2) John Williams
3) Julian Bream