By Mark Small
Speaking about recording his upcoming album, classical guitar giant Manuel Barrueco asked in a recent phone interview: “Do you know ‘A la Cubana’ by Enrique Granados? I have re-recorded it three times because the arrangement just wasn’t right. It’s hard and it’s supposed to sound easy. That’s a bad combination,” he joked. The exchange gave me pause. Barrueco is renowned for his pristine playing and absolute mastery of his instrument and the music. He went on to explain that making his latest album,
Music from Cuba and Spain, Sierra: Sonata Para Guitarra, at home especially during a pandemic offered abundant time, giving him the opportunity to get very picky and make sure every take was optimal.