José Antonio Escobar - Guitar Music of Colombia (2015)

Colombia’s thriving cultural heritage derives from Spanish, African and Amerindian elements. The rich blend of colour and rhythmic vitality found in the synthesis of dance forms and styles, notably the sharply accented Andean bambuco (‘pursuit dance’), the flowing, graceful pasillo and the traditional, rhythmic guabina, recurs throughout this programme. Poignant expressiveness and intricate virtuosity are features of Montaña’s two Suites. Saboya’s Suite Ernestina includes characteristically South American melodies and rhythms, while Caribbean rhythmic patterns are recreated in González’s Preludio. José Antonio Escobar’s Guitar Music of Chile (Naxos 8.570341) was described as “absolutely stunning” by MusicWeb International.