Bach: The Six Sonatas and Partitas
While many guitarists carry single movements from Bach's solo violin sonatas and partitas in their repertoires, Paul Galbraith has transcribed the entire set for his custom-made eight-string instrument. The arrangements are wrought with skill, and employ subtle textural filling and intriguing segues between certain movements. Yet Galbraith's glitchless, fur-tipped fingers coddle these works to where Bach's harmonic daring, rhythmic momentum, and emotional contrasts vanish into smooth oblivion. Great guitar playing and gorgeous sonics, yes, but essentially Bach-lite.--Jed Distler