Recordings

Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Explores the Brazilian Groove

LAGQ Brazil, the acoustic quartet's fourth Telarc CD, features newcomer Matthew Greif and Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza

For nearly three decades, the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet has forged an unmatched reputation for making brilliant and compelling music - both on stage and in the studio - with little more than four acoustic guitars, an uncanny musical vocabulary and a boundless spirit of musical innovation and cross-cultural adventure. This fall, the quartet explores the guitar's rich Latin heritage with the September 25, 2007, release of LAGQ Brazil.

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, the Grammy-winning ensemble that has spent the past quarter century extracting brilliant music from a rich and organic stew of stylistic and cultural perspectives, takes an eclectic ride with the release of LAGQ Spin. The album marks the third Telarc recording for guitarists John Dearman, Bill Kanengiser, Scott Tennant and Andrew York, the innovative foursome collectively known as LAGQ.

Now available in discrete multi-channel surround SACD as well as the CD recording! 2005 Grammy Award Winner for Best Classical Crossover Album

From its haunting opening arrangement of Sting's Latin-tinged song Fragile to the rousing sounds of the traditional Spanish flamenco Sevillanas, LAGQ Latin takes the listener on a journey to Latin lands and cultures, including Cuba, Central America, South America, and Spain.

South America is represented in a reworking of Forrobodo by jazz great Egberto Gismonti, as well as by an arrangement of tango master Astor Piazolla's Fuga y Misterio (Fugue and Mystery).

Air and Ground finds the classical quartet moving further into world music. It takes you on an eclectic musical journey, with songs representing such diverse cultures as Afro-Cuban, Macedonian, Native American, Brazilian and Celtic. The performances on Air and Ground are flawless and highly original -- a listening experience that can only be surpassed by hearing (and seeing) L.A.G.Q. play live. Their unique blend of virtuosity, versatility and stunning precision make the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet one of the most exciting guitar ensembles making music today -- and Air and Ground is their best work to date.

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet takes off in an exciting new direction on its Sony Classical label debut -- a highly original, richly varied celebration of world music.

Such an imaginative idea is just what one would expect from the resourceful and unorthodox LAGQ. This quartet of classical guitar soloists came together over fifteen years ago. Since there is virtually no classical music written for a quartet of guitars, the group has either composed, arranged, or commissioned most of the music that it plays, to serve its unique and diverse sound.

An all-baroque program, arranged and performed by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Highlights include Bach's Brandenburn Concerto No. 6, music from Handel, Monteverdi, Purcell, and a very unusual version of Pachelbel's Canon in D. A pleasure for all music lovers!

 

 

 

A collection of Disney© tunes in the style of various classical composers.

 

 

 

 

The World's premier guitar quartet, playing music from Zeppelin to Sousa, Basie to Copland. Two years in the making, Labyrinth is the first true "crossover" departure for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ). The music ranges from folk classics to contemporary classical style, and uses a variety of popular idioms. The album takes its name from Ian Krouse's Labyrinth on a Theme of Led Zeppelin, whose opening theme is a blistering transcription of the (AOR) staple Friends. We think it is safe to say that there is something for everyone on this disc!

The LAGQ's popular guitarist/composer Andrew York has written three of the pieces on this eclectic album. Bantu, says Scott Tennant, "one of our favorites to play, is best described as a cross between African drumming rhythms and Dave Brubeck." Pacific Coast Highway (P.C.H.) reflects the California landscape. Quiccan, explains its composer, "derives its basic character from some 'shredder style' rock-guitar licks." York has also arranged the three "American Classics" - Shenandoah, Jumpin' at the Woodside by Count Basie, and John Philip Sousa's march, The Black Horse Troop.

Music of Boccherini, Debussy, de Falla, Krouse, and Rimsky-Korsakov.

 

 

 

 

Tchaikovsky, Praetorious, Warlock, Byrd, Dowland, Morley, and Gabrieli.<?php