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| The Mantis & the Moon: Guitar Duets | 
 enlarge | Creators: Paulo Bellinati, Leo Brouwer, Manuel De Falla, Enrique Granados, Frederic Hand, Philip Houghton, Peter Madlem, Turlough O'carolan, Dmitry Shostakovich, Antonio Soler, Toru Takemitsu, Benjamin Verdery, Nigel Westlake, John Williams, Timothy Kain
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $7.93
You Save: $4.05 (34%)
Buy New/Used from $6.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  (6 reviews)
Sales Rank: 212464
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 746462007286
EAN: 0074646200728
ASIN: B0000029NY
Release Date: December 10, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | La Vida breve: Dance | | • | Goyescas: Intermezzo | | • | Danza espanola No. 6 | | • | Sonata in A Major, R84 | | • | Songs From The Forest | | • | 3 Duets: I. The Mantis and the Moon | | • | 3 Duets: II. Lament | | • | 3 Duets: III. Alchemy | | • | Carolan's Concerto: Allegro giocoso | | • | Fanny Power | | • | Planxty Madam Maxwell: Fast And Light | | • | Micropiezas | | • | Monte Carlo | | • | Capitola | | • | Prayer | | • | Jongo | | • | 'Bad Boy' For Two Guitars | | • | The Gad Fly, Op. 97: 'Guitars' |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 absolutely worth owning February 15, 2003
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I have many classical guitar albums, including several by John Williams in solo, duet and concerti, and this is one of my favorites. The playing is virtuosic as is expected from Williams, but the repertoire is varied and includes litte known works, including a Shostakovich duet written for guitar! Some reviewers haven't cared for the "mediocre" compositions from Australia, Ireland and the Americas, but I have to strongly disagree. Brouwer can at times be difficult, but he's hardly a slouch. Besides, if these compositions were worthy to draw the attention of one of the greatest guitarists of all time (and a fine composer in his own right), I think they're worthy of ours!
Buy this album, listen to it a few times for familiarization, and enjoy it for years to come.
 Impeccable playing August 16, 2002
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Williams and Kain display their considerable talents in playing with fire and reserve,virtuosity and taste and are generally close to perfect.The De Falla,Granados,Takemitsu,Hand,Soler and Shostakovich works are the standouts.The disappointing part of the album comes with the Westlake,Houghton,Brouwer and Verdery pieces.The greatest playing in the world can't disguise mediocre compositions.This is an overall good album but it does require skipping around a lot of superfluous stuff.
Get this one if you happen across a used copy.
Terrific collection of pieces April 1, 2002
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have had this CD for several years, and still enjoy it as much as when it was first given to me. It is being passed around the family, as my son owned a copy, then bought me one, and I have just ordered a copy for my daughter-in-law.Some of the pieces are familiar, but if you persevere, I am sure you will come to enjoy the works that are new to you. I was sorry to see that one reviewer did not enjoy the Australian works. The Westlake piece [Songs from the Forest] is fairly light and very melodic. If you enjoy it, you should check out his Antarctica music, which exists in several different versions. Kain's Guitar Trek recordings are also worth hunting for.
Gorgeous world music, in the truest sense.... January 3, 2002
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
John Williams and Timothy Kain, two masters of their chosen instrument, with more in common than just the country of their birth. Kain's guitar teacher at the conservatory in Australia had studied with Williams' father, Len. Williams and Kain first worked together in 1992, and enjoyed the experience. The two men form a complimentary duo in both technique and approach to music. Their playing is flawless. Their duets are seamless. On this disk, Williams and Kain "journey outside the confines of the classical guitar repertoire." What a magnificent journey it is, too! The Mantis & The Moon contains 18 selections by 12 composers, grouped together by the cultures of the 6 lands they represent...Spain, Australia, Ireland, the Americas, Japan, and Russia. This is beautiful music performed by two of the greatest guitarists of our generation. These performances go beyond classical, folk, pop or the usual guitar "genre" pieces. Yet the music is lovely, enjoyable, and accessible to the listener. If you love guitar music, you owe it to yourself to pick up this CD.
Mantis and the Moon December 13, 2001
Williams and Kain play very well as a duo. My favorite pieces on this CD are "Sonata in A," "Capitola," and "Jongo." "Sonata in A" is acoustical honey for the ears, as it epitomises Chopin's comment that nothing sounds sweeter than a guitar--except two guitars. "Jongo" is simply dazzling (but far from simple to perform). However, I don't like the Australian compositions (sorry about that critique of your Aussie mates, Mr. Williams). A few other selections are uninspiring as well. It may come as a surprise, but I prefer the Parkening and Brandon duo's performances of "La Vida Breve" and "Intermezzo" over Williams and Kain. Nonetheless, Williams and Kain put in some fine performances on this CD.
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