Critical Acclaim

Concert Reviews

"[Manuel Barrueco] gave a superbly polished recital at the 92d Street Y. ... Mr. Barrueco's recital was a picture of stylistic breadth."

The New York Times

"Barrueco played the composer's [Vivaldi] Guitar Concerto in D with assured mastery, making its slow movement, one of the most beautiful things Vivaldi ever wrote, especially haunting."

The Baltimore Sun

"Manuel Barrueco's guitar recital at Alice Tully Hall was the work not just of a guitarist, but of a superior musician."

New York Times

"A major artist with remarkable musicianship and a world of technique... simply and consistently - - awesome."

Los Angeles Times

"An elegant musician and aristocrat of the guitar ..."

Dallas Times Herald

"Even at his showiest, Barrueco remained ... a musician of utter taste and intelligence."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Barrueco is rare among guitarist for the excitement and the wealth of color he instills in the music he performs. The range of temperament and shading is so varied as to give each work on his program a distinctive sound, a fresh aura."

Milwaukee Journal

"He is a superb instrumentalist with a seductive sound and uncommon lyrical gifts."

Dallas Morning News

"Listening to the Suite No. 2 of Bach, in which the expressive security was translated into melodic passages of clear perfection, one thought spontaneously of the great interpreters, like Wanda Landowska."

Il Tempo, Rome, Italy

"With his conscientious obedience to the intentions of the composers, his spotless technical virtuosity, his sensitive use of the possibilities of differentiation of sonorous colors, Barrueco introduced himself as the undisputed crown prince of the present guitar dynasty.:

Courant, The Hague

"Even more impressive that the overwhelming technique is Barrueco's musicality. This evening of solo playing overflowed with subtleties and conveyed and encounter with an extraordinarily cultivated musician."

Stuttgarter Zeitung, Germany

"The results, it's safe to say, were magical."

Los Angeles Times

"The guitar is an instrument that is cradled in the arms next to the heart. When Barrueco plays, it speaks to the heart."

Baltimore Sun

"Somewhere from the heavens, Segovia was surely smiling down."

The Palm Beach Post

"...a warmth and a singing quality that would undoubtedly have made Segovia smile."

The New York Times

"Barrueco played the composer's [Vivaldi] Guitar Concerto in D with assured mastery, making its slow movement, one of the most beautiful things Vivaldi ever wrote, especially haunting."

The Baltimore Sun

Recording Reviews

"[on Cuba!] Five Stars *****. It's an extraordinary musical achievement."

San Francisco Cronicle

"Manuel Barrueco's new version [of the Concierto de Aranjuez] is the best."

Classic CD

"[On Bach Violin Sonatas] We have come to expect superb performances from Barrueco and in these works we get them. These are performances of dignity and distinction"

Gramophone

"[On Cantos y Danzas] ...this is a superb recording, one to be acquired and treasured."

Gramphone

"[on the Rodrigo CD] The four songs [Placido Domingo] sings with Barrueco's accompaniment are really gorgeous."

Fanfare Magazine

"[on the Rodrigo CD] This is a virtually ideal Rodrigo disc."

Classic CD Magazine

"Manuel Barrueco is one of the best classical guitarists on the planet... Barrueco's readings [of Albéniz & Turina] set new standards for musicianship..."

Audio

"[on Albéniz & Turina] Another artistic triumph from the great Cuban guitarist."

American Record Guide

"This disc, [Bach & de Visée] with Barrueco's Albéniz and Villa-Lobos discs, together demonstrate mastery of many different aspects of the guitar; a triptych of excellence that is surely without precedent."

Classical Guitar Magazine

"Classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco lavishes his technique and sensitivity on the music of Paul Simon, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Lou Harrison. Sometimes he sounds as if he has a laptop orchestra; then comes a pure single-string passage like a strand of gleaming silk."

Christian Science Monitor

"[Granados & de Falla] Manuel Barrueco consistently produces some of the most gorgeous guitar recordings available today."

Soundboard

"[on Sometime Ago] ...the best-sounding guitar records of any major artist."

American Record Guide

"...the rightness of these interpretations [Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett from Sometime Ago] is attributable to Barrueco's phenomenal technique."

Acoustic Guitar

"[on Granados & Falla] ...invaluable, a national treasure... Another year for Barrueco and another year's best."

American Record Guide.