Kizuna (CD) Jean-Marie Raymond, Minoru Inagaki

Disque compact This well-filled CD started out life in 1982 as a duet LP by Raymond and Inagaki, called “Guitare à Quatre Mains” and has recently been re-issued with a further eight tracks, four by each soloist. Of course with Jean-Marie Raymond you know what you are getting, namely great melodies, warm cosy harmonies and some very pleasant music all round. The CD begins with the four-movement title track Kizuna played by Inagaki. It is well played, nicely recorded and instantly attractive. The following four Raymond pieces, Jardin Secret, La Cité D'Émeraude, Canto Bajo La Luna and Santa Ana Cruz are all solos played by Raymond himself, and what a fine player he is. The eight duets from Len Williams's large selection are no doubt well known to many. Just about every duo going must have had their hands on this set at some time, I know I did, and they are suitably despatched with consummate ease. The Granados Oriental is not the Presti version; it is set in a much higher key but still sounds astonishingly moving on two guitars. For me this is one of the standout versions. The Falla never ceases to sound wonderful in the hands of two master players and this version was perfectly done, with lots of verve and powerful playing. The two Raymond duets are lovely works and show a side of his music that I would like to see and hear more of. Likewise, the Grieg pairing is great on the guitar; they are so appropriate a sound that I wonder why more people haven't done them? Debussy's Rêverie has been tackled by the celebrated paring of J. Williams and J. Bream but this is a different take on it, mainly in octave placements. Otherwise it sounds very guitaristic and doesn't lose any of its character placed on guitars. It was a lovely version, with again some fine playing. I didn't know the two Aguirre dances but they were melodic, tuneful and excitingly played, and deserve a wider hearing. The final Guastavino was another standout performance in what was a rather crowded CD of such performances. I loved every minute of this recording and the duets were fabulous with some brilliantly played pieces that had no fillers amongst them. Definitely one for you to go and hunt down. Chris Dumigan (Classical Guitar Magazine)