Kazu Suwa Guitar Recital

Recensione

The programme opens with 6 works by Tárrega. By listening to these alone, it's clear that Kazu Suwa is a guitarist of extraordinary talent in the area of lyrical and poetic expression. His playing style exhibits melancholic expression appropriated for the guitar without any inhibition, striking a responsive chord in the hearts of the audience. On the other side, more conservative listeners can safely be in love with such a world since the evidence of solid performance techniques is surely honoured. After works by Tárrega, he moves to South America. Pieces by Fleury, Ayala, Barrios, Reis and Vila-Lobos are played with similarly rich lyricism. 'Adeux' by Sor and Canciones y Danzas by Mompou in the latter part of the disc are also excellent. --Jiro Hamada (Record Geijutsu Magazine, April 2015, Japan)

The playing is really delicate. I can sense his making a sincere effort to weave only beautiful notes. I also feel his passion for exploring hidden masterpieces that others are not interested in. For instance, from Ayala whose only known work is 'Serie Americana' he takes up the unusual 'Arco Iris (Rainbow)' which is of singular beauty, and from Reis whose only known piece is 'If she asks' he gives us 'Eterna Saudade'. Loyal fans will be delighted with the milonga works by Fleury which are clad in a sentimental light. The music of Mompou which it s said Kazu Suwa likes to explore also makes my ears prick up. (...) Even though this guitarist s prowess is not yet widely known, this CD ensures he will remain in people's memory as a very talented artist. --Mitsuhiko Hamada (Record Geijutsu Magazine, April 2015, Japan)

A musician in the broadest sense of the word. Mr Kazu Suwa's truly faithful arrangements, precision in interpretation and his tone quality indicate to us that the guitar is a perfect instrument to extract the musical essence of each piece by Mompou. --Fundació Mompou/Mompou Foudation (Barcelona)

L'artista

London-based Japanese classical guitarist Kazu Suwa was described as 'a unique guitarist who knows the world of poetic sentiment, a sentiment able to penetrate the hearts of listeners and move them profoundly' by Mr Jiro Hamada (Music critic/ex-professor at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts). Kazu studied classical guitar with the renowned classical guitarist Mikio Hoshido at the Nihon University College of Art in Tokyo. After graduation, he moved to Spain where he continued his studies at the Madrid Royal Conservatory as well as attending a number of masterclasses given by well-known maestri.