“A delightful Sunday afternoon tea at the Independent in North Sydney and an even more delightful classical guitar duet performed by Andrew Blanch and Ariel Nurhadi – what more could you want? Alchemy, which is named after the very first piece they learnt together, is an inspiring performance where the audience is taken on a ‘world-tour’, blending classical music from France, Spain, Brazil, Australia and more.”
“Luigi Boccherini’s Guitar Quintet in D Major G 448 (1798) featuring Andrew Blanch on guitar and a demanding virtuoso cello part (Liam Meany) opened with a graceful, elegant first movement that was simply divine.”
“The Orchestra then crashes and rumbles like ice splitting and breaking off , there is a turbulent, whirling discussion between the guitar and Orchestra followed by a crystalline solo for Blanch on guitar the Orchestra delicately accompanying him.”
“Spectacularly, many of the arrangements in this concert were developed in collaboration with two young emerging classical guitarists, Andrew Blanch and Ariel Nurhadi. Together they form the José Carbó Trio.”
“I've just been serenaded and fallen in love. I'm not normally so easily smitten, but I've had the pleasure of attending the Independent Theatre in North Sydney: Prelude in Tea Series, and the performance by the Jose Carbo Trio: L'Heure Exquise (The Exquisite Hour) was simply divine.”
“Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two.” Add to these the voice of Carbó and you have a sound that is quite thrilling.”
“The Trio blended music inspired by Spain, opera, lieder and classical guitar among other things, and features music by Schubert, Faure, Debussy, Verdi and more.”
“This was the kind of sound that invites you to lean forward and listen hard, barely breathing so you don’t miss any details of the subtle shading...”
“...The very personable Blanch drew his audience into a private, calming and uplifting world of delicious expression and exquisite phrasing. He explored every nuance of his guitar’s range of moods and sounds...”
“Impeccably produced by Timothy Kain, this disc secures this young musician’s place amongst a glittering Australian classical guitar constellation.”
“Andrew Blanch is the real deal: a classical guitarist with the technique and musicality to put a personal stamp on some popular Spanish pieces, while assembling a program containing less conventional items as well.”
“Blanch’s wide dynamic range and tonal ranges bespeak a deep understanding of the music… This is one of the best debut albums I have ever heard.”
“In all, this disc bears strong witness to the guitarist’s interpretative skill as he turns from cornerstones of the instrument’s repertoire, through exacting arrangements, to virtuosic show-pieces. It’s an auspicious and welcome start to his recording career.”
“This first outing on CD for Andrew is a cracking one – a very high quality recording both in terms of playing and the production values throughout the entire recording. . .beautifully rich imaginings of some well-known (and slightly lesser known) Spanish pieces presented wonderfully.”