While there are many recordings of Fernando Sor available, this one really stands out. The works featured are among Sor’s finest concert works; the complete “Sonatas” with all movements – The Grande Sonatas opus 22 & 25, Grand Solo op. 14, and the Sonate op. 15. Ricardo’s playing sounds effortless and graceful, with elegant phrasing, stylistic concern, and in service of the music. The guitar employed is a modern reproduction by Arnoldo Garcia of a Fabricatore, arguably one of the most important guitars of the early 19th century. The guitar sounds beautiful in Ricard’s hands; it has the punchy and clear period guitar tone one expects, minus the challenges often encountered on antique guitars. A few highlights are the slow movement of the Grande Sonate op. 22 with bell-like, singing trebles, in a vocal manner expected for Sor’s music, while the rapid arpeggios are executed in an historically-informed manner, with an authenticity of Spanish character reflecting the artist’s heritage from Spain.

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