BBC Recital 1970

Recorded in London in 1970 for the BBC, this recital documents the Duo Abreu at a pivotal moment in their international career. The recording forms part of the broadcaster’s historical archive, known for preserving performances in concert conditions and maintaining the documentary integrity of live interpretation.

Formed by brothers Sérgio and Eduardo Abreu, the Duo gained international recognition between 1968 and 1975 for their exceptional technical command, ensemble precision, and refined tonal balance, significantly contributing to the establishment of the guitar duo as a high-level chamber formation. Their activity coincided with a period of aesthetic redefinition of the instrument, strengthening its presence in major musical centers across Europe, the United States, and Australia.

The program reflects the Duo’s characteristic repertoire, combining Baroque transcriptions — including works by Rameau, Scarlatti, and Weiss — with 20th-century compositions such as the Sonatina by Manuel Ponce, works by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and a piece by Burkhart. The interpretative approach balances formal clarity, rhythmic precision, and detailed attention to articulation and ornamentation.

This digital release by GuitarCoop restores to the public an important document in 20th-century guitar history, reaffirming the Duo Abreu’s role in establishing new technical and artistic standards for the guitar duo formation.

Tracklist

01 — JEAN PHILIPPE RAMEAU, Six Pieces from the Book of 1726: Allemande 3’26”
02 — JEAN PHILIPPE RAMEAU, Six Pieces from the Book of 1726: Le Rappel des Oiseaux 2’33”
03 — JEAN PHILIPPE RAMEAU, Six Pieces from the Book of 1726: Rigaudon 1’28”
04 — JEAN PHILIPPE RAMEAU, Six Pieces from the Book of 1726: Musette en Rondeau 2’38”
05 — JEAN PHILIPPE RAMEAU, Six Pieces from the Book of 1726: Le Lardon (Menuet) 0’51”
06 — JEAN PHILIPPE RAMEAU, Six Pieces from the Book of 1726: Les Cyclopes 3’24”
07 — DOMENICO SCARLATTI (arr. Sergio Abreu), Toccata K.141
08 — SYLVIUS LEOPOLD WEISS, Sonata in D Major SW18: Passacaglia 4’13”
09 — DOMENICO SCARLATTI, Sonata in G Major K.391 2’16”
10 — MANUEL PONCE, Sonatina Meridional: Campo 4’05”
11 — MANUEL PONCE, Sonatina Meridional: Copla 2’21”
12 — MANUEL PONCE, Sonatina Meridional: Fiesta 2’21”
13 — MARIO CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO, Les Guitares Bien Tempérées Op. 199: Prelude and Fugue in E Flat Major No. 1 1’45”
14 — MARIO CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO, Les Guitares Bien Tempérées Op. 199: Prelude and Fugue in E Flat Major No. 2 2’26”
15 — MARIO CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO, Les Guitares Bien Tempérées Op. 199: Prelude and Fugue in C Sharp Minor No. 1 1’46”
16 — MARIO CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO, Les Guitares Bien Tempérées Op. 199: Prelude and Fugue in C Sharp Minor No. 2 3’38”
17 — FRANZ BURKHART, Toccata 4’06”

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Credits

RecordingBBC Studios, London

DateOctober/1970

Sound Engineering

Recording Assistants

Mixing

MasteringRicardo Marui

Music ProductionSergio Abreu

TextsFabio Zanon

Translation

Graphic DesignRicardo Dias

PhotosCover photo: hand-cut portrait on cardboard over a photograph by Karen Tweedy Holmes; Additional photos: personal archive of Sergio Abreu

Executive Production

TypesettingEduardo Sardinha

GuitarsHermann Hauser 1930 (Sergio Abreu in the Duo; Sergio and Eduardo in the solo pieces); Santos Hernandez 1920 (Eduardo Abreu in the Duo)

AcknowledgementsVicente Paschoal; Basil Douglas (in memoriam); Adolfina Raitzin de Távora “Dona Monina” (in memoriam)

EditingSergio Abreu

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