Sharon Isbin - Discography

Stupendous, faultless, finer
even than Segovia
American Record Guide

The high priestess of the guitar
Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

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	WINNER 4 ACADEMY AWARDS: BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATION The Departed Howard Shore Soundtrack to Martin Scorsese #1 Box Office Hit (Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon) Order Online at Amazon.com		Cops Or Criminals Featuring G.E. Smith and Larry Saltzman 344 Wash Performed By G.E. Smith Beacon Hill Performed By Sharon Isbin The Faithful Departed Featuring G.E. Smith and Larry Saltzman Colin Performed By G.E. Smith and Larry Saltzman Madolyn Performed By Sharon Isbin Billy’s Theme Featuring Sharon Isbin Command Featuring G.E. Smith and Larry Saltzman Chinatown Featuring G.E. Smith Boston Common Performed By Sharon Isbin Miss Thing Performed By G.E. Smith and Larry Saltzman The Baby Performed By G.E. Smith The Last Rites Featuring Sharon Isbin and G.E. Smith The Departed Tango “Sharon Isbin receives star billing and ... brings off the intricate part-writing with consummate ease.This CD compels attention. Shore’s best to date.” Gramophone “Isbin’s performance brings a great sense of pathos and heart ... The various styles and flavours collected together make for an engaging listen. A great score from Howard Shore, who proves once again he’s one of the most interesting, intelligent and surprising composers in the business.” MusicfromtheMovies.com

	Latin GRAMMY Nomination GLAAD Media Award Nomination Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez Villa-Lobos: Concerto for Guitar Ponce: Concierto del sur Sharon Isbin, guitar New York Philharmonic Warner Classics 2564-60296-2		Rodrigo: Allegro con spirito 42 sec MP3 336K Rodrigo: Adagio 37 sec MP3 297K Rodrigo: Allegro gentile 43 sec MP3 337K Villa-Lobos: Allegro preciso 33 sec MP3 260K Villa-Lobos: cadenza 1:12 min MP3 566K Villa-Lobos: Allegretto non troppo 52 sec MP3 414K Ponce: Allegretto 48 sec MP3 383K Ponce: Andante 49 sec MP3 376K Ponce: Allegro moderato 35 sec MP3 275K A bestseller on BILLBOARD’s Top 10 Classical Chart EDITOR’S CHOICE: “A magnificent new recording ... Superbly played, brilliantly executed, precise orchestral balance ... a marvelous achievement.” Gramophone “Isbin sounds glorious, playing with strong-backed rhythm and an astonishing spectrum of subtly shaded colors and dynamics.” Boston Globe “Sharon Isbin’s graceful, rich-hued account of “Aranjuez” ... combines the unimpeachable technical precision that has always been one of her hallmarks and an interpretive warmth. The New York Philharmonic’s performance here is as soulful and fluid as Ms. Isbin’s.” The New York Times “The most lustrous orchestral performances in a guitar concerto in recent memory. Isbin’s playing is as incisive and colorful as ever. The production is truly marvelous. The balance between orchestra and soloist is excellent. Isbin’s tone is lush and full ... a joy to hear.” American Record Guide

	Artist Portrait: Sharon Isbin Warner Classics 2564-61591-2		Selections from Dreams of a World, Journey to the Amazon, Baroque Favorites for Guitar, Rouse/Tan Dun Concerti, Wayfaring Stranger with music by J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Albinoni, Tarrega, Rodrigo, Sainz de la Maza, Lauro, Almeida, Thiago de Mello, Niles, Schubert, Martini, Takemitsu, Rouse, and Tan Dun.

	Sharon Isbin Plays Baroque Favorites for Guitar Zurich Chamber Orchestra Warner Classics 0927-45312-2		Vivaldi: Largo 32 sec Quicktime 187K - WAV 690K Bach: Allegro 41 sec Quicktime 241K - WAV 880K Albinoni: Adagio 51 sec Quicktime 300K - WAV 1,100K Bach: Adagio 32 sec Quicktime 186K - WAV 686K Bach: Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring 30 sec Qt 178K - WAV 6560K Vivaldi, Concerto in D Major R93 and A Major R82; Albinoni/Giazatto, Adagio WORLD PREMIERE; J.S. Bach, Concerto in A minor BWV1041 WORLD PREMIERE, Adagio from F minor Keyboard Concerto BWV1056 WORLD PREMIERE, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring WORLD PREMIERE, Prelude for lute BWV999 Over 16 weeks on BILLBOARD’s Top 10 Classical Chart “Animated and expressive throughout ... beautifully played” Gramophone “True artistry ... her tone is gorgeous” Philadelphia Daily News “Emotional expressiveness and stunning virtuosity” Guitar Player

	Grammy Award Winner Christopher Rouse: Concert de Gaudi Tan Dun: Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra (Yi2) Teldec New Line 8573-81830-2 See Interview		Rouse: Allegro 31 sec Quicktime 185K - WAV 667K Rouse: Largo sereno 33 sec Quicktime 197K - WAV 710K Rouse: Svolazzante 28 sec Quicktime 172K - WAV 617K Tan Dun: Andante agitato 25 sec Quicktime 155K - WAV 557K Tan Dun: Andante agitato 25 sec Quicktime 151K - WAV 542K Tan Dun: Cadenza 31 sec Quicktime 186K - WAV 669K World Premiere concertos written for Sharon Isbin “...the most remarkable work yet written for guitar and orchestra ... No superlative would be excessive in describing Sharon Isbin’s performance in this recording” Gramophone “Tan Dun’s wonderful guitar concerto—flamenco meets Stravinsky in the Hard Rock Cafè—was stunningly played by Sharon Isbin” Herald (Scotland) “[Isbin] deserves a Nobel for this recording of two terrific new guitar concertos, written for her and played with gripping persuasiveness.” Los Angeles Times *“[Gaudi is] uncommonly pleasing, beautiful ... here’s predicting it’s going to be performed and recorded a lot ... Its emotional impact is reminiscent of Nights in the Gardens of Spain.”* Dallas Morning News

	Grammy Award Winner Sharon Isbin: Dreams of a World Folk-inspired Music for Guitar Teldec Classics International 3984-25736-2		Lauro, Virgilio 38 sec. Quicktime 115K - WAV 817K Lauro, Romanza 49 sec. Quicktime 148K - WAV 1024K Duarte, Finale 44 sec. Quicktime 132K - WAV 937K Theodorakis, Epitaphio 40 sec. Quicktime 122K - WAV 863K Ruiz-Pipo, Danza 40 sec. Quicktime 125K - WAV 867K Lauro, Virgilio & Romanza; Ruiz-Pipo, Cancion y Danza; Duarte, Appalachian Dreams; Takemitsu, Londonderry Air; Gismonti, Agua e Vinho; Ramon y Rivera, Brisas del Torbe; Lecuona, Canto Siboney; San Sebastian, Dolor; Shemer, 4 Songs; Theodorakis, 2 Epitaphios; Thiago de Mello, Varre-Vento; Granados, Dedicatoria; Tarrega, Recuerdos de la Alhambra 8 World Premieres; Music from Appalachia, Ireland, Greece, Israel, Spain, Cuba, Venezuela and Brazil. “If you’re going to tour the world, you couldn’t have a better guide than Sharon Isbin and her guitar ... Lush and sultry, passion with great subtlety and rhythmic precision ... one of her most satisfying releases in recent years.” Star Tribune (Minneapolis) “Incredible breadth of tone color, shaping of phrases, and expressive depth ... consummate lyricism” American Record Guide “Irresistible ... a lovely vision of heartfelt dreams.” Commercial Appeal

	Grammy Award Nominated Journey to the Amazon Teldec Classics International 0630-19899-2		Almeida, Historia do Luar 32 sec. Quicktime 97K - WAV 681K Montana, Porro 35 sec. Quicktime 108K - WAV 762K T. de Mello, Armadura 37 sec. Quicktime 114K - WAV 800K T. de Mello, Pixinga 34 sec. Quicktime 100K - WAV 733K Sharon Isbin, guitar Paul Winter, soprano saxophone Gaudencio Thiago de Mello, percussion Guitar & Percussion: Almeida, Historia do Luar; T. de Mello, Hug for Pixinga, Choro Alegre; Savio, Batucada; Vianna (Pixinguinha), Cochichando; Montana, Porro; Brouwer, Cancion de Cuna; Canonico, Aire de Joropo; Lauro, Waltz #3, Seis por Derecho. Guitar Solo: Lauro, El Marabino; Barrios, Julia Florida, Waltz Opus 8 #4; T. de Mello, Lago do Janauaca. Saxophone/Guitar/Percussion: T. de Mello, Chants #1 and #2, Cavaleiro sem Armadura. “Sharon Isbin—a true sorceress ... incomparable master of the guitar” Antonio Carlos Jobim “Sharon Isbin’s magical tone, impeccable technique and a heart full of wonder, Thiago de Mello’s Amazonian soul and versatile percussion, and Paul Winter’s enchanting soprano saxophone take us on a fascinating musical journey through the luxurious beauty of the Amazon.” Oscar Castro-Neves “A marvelous recording by three extraordinary musicians.” Luis Bonfà “EDITOR’S CHOICE RECORDING OF THE MONTH” Gramophone Click for transcript of the Introduction.

	Sharon Isbin’s Greatest Hits (2-CD set) EMI/Virgin Classics 62075		1006a in E Major, Prelude, 23 sec. Quicktime 85K - WAV 602K Aranjuez, 2nd movement, 37 sec. Quicktime 113K - WAV 797K Foss, 3rd movement, 31 sec. Quicktime 93K - WAV 666K J.S. Bach: Suite BWV 1006a in E major, Suite BWV 996 in E minor Albeniz: Asturias, Mallorca; Barrios: La Catedral; Rodrigo: Invocacion y danza; Villa-Lobos: Etude 8 Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez & Fantasia para un gentilhombre Vivaldi: Concerto in D major with Lausanne Chamber Orchestra Foss: American Landscapes with Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

	Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez & Latin Romances (2-CD set) EMI/Virgin Classics 61627		Aranjuez, 2nd movement, 37 sec. Quicktime 113K - WAV 797K Zapateado, 23 sec. Quicktime 70K - WAV 494K Joaquin Rodrigo, Concierto de Aranjuez and Fantasia para un gentilhombre Sharon Isbin, guitar Lausanne Chamber Orchestra Lawrence Foster, conductor Joseph Schwantner, From Afar Sharon Isbin, guitar Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Hugh Wolff, conductor Solos by Regino Sainz de la Maza, Joaquin Rodrigo, Agustin Barrios Mangore, Paz Abreu, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Francisco Tarrega, Leo Brouwer, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Isaac Albeniz Sharon Isbin, guitar “Magnificent Interpretation” Joaquin Rodrigo “Best Recording” Stereo Review “Stupendous, faultless, finer even than Segovia” American Record Guide

	J.S. Bach: Complete Lute Suites EMI/Virgin Classics #59503		1006a in E Major, Prelude, 23 sec. Quicktime 85K - WAV 602K Suite BWV 1006a in E major Suite BWV 995 in G minor Suite BWV 996 in E minor Suite BWV 997 in C minor Sharon Isbin, guitar “Critics’ Choice Recording of the Year” Gramophone “Best Recording of the Year” CD Review “An interpretive masterpiece” CD Review “Isbin’s playing is marked by such textural clarity, such rhythmic vibrancy and attention to musical detail, that the only thing to do is marvel.” San Francisco Chronicle

	Wayfaring Stranger Erato 3984-23419-2		Granados, Spanish Dance #5, 32 sec. Quicktime 99K - WAV 695K Rodrigo, Aranjuez, ma pensée, 35 sec. Quicktime 109K - WAV 765K Sharon Isbin, guitar Susanne Mentzer, mezzo-soprano 3 Guitar Solos: Granados, Spanish Dance #5; de la Maza, Zapateado; Tarrega, Capricho Arabe Songs: Rodrigo, Aranjuez ma pensee; 3 Schubert Lieder; Sieber, 4 French Folk Songs; 4 French Bergerettes; Martini, Plaisir D’Amour 5 American Folk Songs: Wayfaring Stranger, Red Rosey Bush, Black is the Color, Nightingale, Go ’way from my window “A riveting set of five American songs opens this excellent duo-recital ... marvelous ... astonishing purity of line” Opera News

	American Landscapes EMI/Angel Classics #67672B		Foss, 3rd movement, 31 sec. Quicktime 93K - WAV 666K Three world premiere concerti written for Sharon Isbin: John Corigliano, Troubadours Joseph Schwantner, From Afar Lukas Foss, American Landscapes Sharon Isbin, guitar Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Hugh Wolff, conductor “Best Classical Album of the Year” Guitar Player “Critics’ Choice Recording of the Year” Gramophone

	Nightshade Rounds EMI/Virgin Classics #45024		Gershwin, 1st Prelude, 27 sec. Quicktime 82K - WAV 577K William Walton, Five Bagatelles Bruce MacCombie, Nightshade Rounds George Gershwin, Preludes 1 and 2 Joan Tower, Clocks John Duarte, Folk Song Benjamin Britten, Nocturnal Sharon Isbin, guitar “Best Classical Album of the Year” Guitar Player “Wonderful Mastery” Stereo Review

	Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez EMI/Virgin Classics #59024		Aranjuez, 2nd movement, 37 sec. Quicktime 113K - WAV 797K Joaquin Rodrigo, Concierto de Aranjuez and Fantasia para un gentilhombre Antonio Vivaldi, Concerto in D major Sharon Isbin, guitar Lausanne Chamber Orchestra Lawrence Foster, conductor “Magnificent Interpretation” Joaquin Rodrigo “Best Recording” Stereo Review “Stupendous, faultless, finer even than Segovia” American Record Guide

	Love Songs & Lullabies EMI/Virgin Classics #61480		Madriguera, Adios, 28 sec. Quicktime 86K - WAV 607K Salley Gardens, 40 sec. Quicktime 128K - WAV 899K Montana, Porro; Villa-Lobos, Estrela e lua nova; Jobim, Canta mais; Brahms, Wiegenlied; Lorca, El cafe de Chinitas, Nana de Sevilla, and Sevillanas; Anon., Salley Gardens; Britten, I will give my love an apple and Sailor-boy; Niles, I wonder as I wander and Go ’way from my window; Foster, Jeanie with the light brown hair; Anon., Drink to me only with thine eyes; Schubert, Wiegenlied; Goldfaden, Rojinkes mit Mandlen; Bonfa, Manha de Carnaval; Thiago de Mello, Cunha-tan do Andira and Varando Furos; Ginastera, Cancion al arbol del olvido; Seiber, Le Rossignol and Marguerite, elle est malade; Martini, Plaisir d’amour; Madriguera, Adios. Sharon Isbin, guitar Benita Valente, soprano Thomas Allen, baritone Gaudencio Thiago de Mello, percussion “Ravishingly Beautiful Music” Newhouse News

	Road to the Sun Estrada do Sol EMI/Virgin Classics #59591		Zapateado, 23 sec. Quicktime 70K - WAV 494K Regino Sainz de la Maza, Zapateado Joaquin Rodrigo, Invocacion y Danza Agustin Barrios Mangore, La Catedral Paz Abreu, Quejas Antonio Carlos Jobim, Estrada do Sol Francisco Tarrega, Capricho Arabe Leo Brouwer, El Decameron Negro Heitor Villa-Lobos, Sentimental Melody, Etude No. 8 Isaac Albeniz, Mallorca, Asturias Sharon Isbin, guitar “Editor’s Choice Favorite Recording” CD Review “Brilliantly Played” Fanfare

	Grammy Award Nominated Aaron Jay Kernis Double Concerto for Violin & Guitar Argo/Decca 460226-2		Double Concerto, 3rd movement, 41 sec. Quicktime 124K - WAV 875K Sharon Isbin, guitar Cho-Liang Lin, violin Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Hugh Wolff, conductor (Includes Violin & Orchestra works played by Joshua Bell, Pamela Frank, the Minnesota Orchestra, and conductor David Zinman) “The Double Concerto is pure delight” (5 Stars) San Francisco Chronicle “One of the more exciting new pieces to come from an American composer ... Anyone interested in modern American music must hear this.” USA Today

	Rhapsody in Blue West Side Story Concord Concerto #CCD-42012		- Bernstein, America, 27 sec. Quicktime 82K - WAV 875K Bernstein: I Feel Pretty, Scherzo/Somewhere, Cha-Cha/Meeting Scene, Something’s Coming, Maria, America, Cool, Tonight, I Have a Love/Finale Gershwin: Jasbo Brown Blues, Liza, Prelude No. 3, Rhapsody in Blue Sharon Isbin, guitar Carlos Barbosa-Lima, guitar

	Brazil, with Love Concord Picante #CCD-4320		Felicidade, 35 sec. Quicktime 82K - WAV 765K Antonio Carlos Jobim: Luiza, Gabriella, Chovendo na Rosiera, Garoto, Felicidade, and Estrada do Sol Alfredo Vianna (Pixinguinha): Passatempo, Vou Vivendo, Pretencioso, and Carinhoso Ernesto Nazareth: Brejeiro, Apanehi-te, Cavaquinho, Bambino, and Odeon Sharon Isbin, guitar Carlos Barbosa-Lima, guitar

	Black Topaz by Joan Tower New World 80470-2 Order Online at Amazon.com		Snow Dreams, 27 sec. Quicktime 82K - WAV 573K Night Fields, Snow Dreams, Black Topaz Très Lent, Stepping Stones Joan Tower with: Sharon Isbin, guitar Carol Wincenc, flute Double Edge, duo-pianists The Muir String Quartet André Emelianoff, cello

	Dances for Guitar Waltzes, Fandangos and Tarantellas ISBN: 6300377903 Out-of-Print		Agustin Barrios, Enrique Granados, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Joaquin Rodrigo, Antonio Lauro, Joaquin Turina

	3 Guitars 3 ISBN: 6300377547 Out-of-Print		Ernesto Nazareth, Joaquin Rodrigo, Laurindo Almeida, Larry Coryell, Manuel de Falla Sharon Isbin, Larry Coryell, Laurindo Almeida

JOURNEY TO THE AMAZON
An Introduction by Sharon Isbin
My love affair with South American music started when I was fourteen and studying for a summer with the great Venezuelan guitarist, Alirio Diaz. The spontaneity, exuberance, and joy in his playing of Latin dances was irresistible. I felt an immediate affinity for this music.

This passion would lead to many exciting collaborations. Among the first was with Carlos Barbosa-Lima, whose brilliant arrangements of Brazilian and American music have contributed important new repertoire for guitar, much of which we’ve played and recorded together over the years. Our creative partnership, performances and friendship with the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim were an especially inspiring part of this journey.

In l984, I traveled to Brazil to give a recital tour at the invitation of the Brazilian government. The radiance and magic of places like Ipanema and Corcovado suddenly came to life. I began to appreciate the intimate connection between the country and its music. That same year, I was invited to perform with Laurindo Almeida and Larry Coryell in a bossa nova/classical/jazz fusion trio. Our trio Guitarjam was born, and we toured and recorded together for five years. It was a privilege for me to learn from and share in the beautiful artistry of Laurindo’s music-making during his last decade. He was a cherished friend and is dearly missed.

Our trio’s New York debut took place during a weeklong festival I created and directed in 1985 for Carnegie Hall called Guitarstream International. It was there that I had the pleasure of performing for the first time with the Brazilian composer/arranger/percussionist from the Amazon rain forest, Gaudencio Thiago de Mello. Working with him created new dimensions of rhythm, color, and nuance. His wizardry at the helm of such exotic instruments as the rain stick, berimbau, jungle’s mouth and tortoise shell evoked the spirit and image of the rain forest itself.

A few years later, I made the first of several trips to visit rain forests in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Floating down the Napo River in a dugout canoe with piranhas, electric eels, and glistening crocodiles afoot, monkeys, sloths, toucans, macaws, and an occasional python in the lush foliage overhead, I was in a state of bliss. Surely, this was the Garden of Eden. I had no idea then that this experience would come to figure in my music as well.

Having experienced a taste of Thiago’s world in my travels, I became particularly fascinated with his compositions about the Amazon. We began performing in a series of projects—from concerts to a recording to my national radio series, Guitarjam. I relished bringing the rain forest and its inhabitants to life through music.

How fitting, then, that our guest on this recording would be Paul Winter. Paul’s love of nature has led him to integrate his music with a life-long quest to preserve the environment and champion endangered species. Like Thiago, his beautiful and haunting voice carries us to another world, a dream of the past and a hope for the future.

In this spirit, I dedicate the music and performances of Journey to the Amazon to the memory of Laurindo Almeida, Tom Jobim, and—on the first anniversary of his passing—to my beloved brother Neil Isbin.

Sharon Isbin, July 20, 1997
Return to Sharon’s discography.