Another welcome reissue from Neil Smith, one of Britain's finest classical guitarists. He plays guitar music by Niccolo Paganini, Mauro Giuliani, Fernando Sor and Isaac Albéniz, introducing in these performances a number of his own improvisations, a lost feature of the romantic era.

Paganini was the greatest of violin virtuosi but he was also a master guitarist and composer for the guitar. The Grand Sonata has three movements: a bold Allegro Risoluto then an exquisite Romanza and finally a set of variations marked Andantino Variato.

Giuliani’s Variations Op 107 are taken on a theme by Handel, known generally as ‘The Harmonious Blacksmith’. Fernando Sor’s Les Adieux is just one of a number of pieces reflecting on losses during his lifetime. Albéniz’s Cadiz has the jaunty air of a seaport whereas Torre Bermeja reflects on the images of the great crimson towers of The Alhambra in Granada as multitudes of notes imitate the Moorish decor.