F E A T U R E D   R E V I E W S

"Julio Reyes' beautiful interpretations of Barrios reveal his unique Paraguayan heritage and insight. This CD (Heart Strings) is a gem for those who love the music of Mangoré."

 

Richard “Rico” Stover, Guitarist and leading authority on the life and music of Agustin Barrios.

 

“The Sacramento Guitar Society had the pleasure of a visit by the excellent performer Julio Reyes. In the first moments of "Confesión - romanza" by Agustín Barrios Mangoré, we were drawn in by effortless, expressive playing. Throughout it and a second Barrios composition, "Vals No. 4", Reyes' use of rubato, color and dynamic changes brought the heart and soul of the music to life. Reyes followed the Barrios with an original composition "My Little Ballerina” written to his wife and introduced with an anecdote. A talented composer as well! He may have taken inspiration from the great Barrios, and he knows an enormous amount about that pivotal figure in the guitar's history. The verbal introductions to all three pieces made the music all the more enjoyable to hear. One guitarist in our group said afterward of Julio Reyes, "Unbelievable!!! World class, I'd say."

 

Daniel Roest, President/Artistic Director, Sacramento Guitar Society, June 2011

 

“He has golden hands!”

 

Laurendo Almeida, renowned Brazilian guitarist

 

"When you want an entertaining and informative presentation on a classical guitar composer we all love, the great Agustín Barrios Mangoré, look no further than Julio Reyes. Julio has special, insider knowledge of Barrios and interprets his music beautifully. Teenagers, university guitar majors and the general guitar society meeting audience were all equally intrigued and appreciative of his Sacramento programs."

 

Daniel Roest, President, Sacramento Guitar Society,

October 2012

 

“August 19, 2013 Paraguayan guitarist Julio Reyes made his concert debut in the Old First Concerts series at Old First Church when he was twelve years old. That would have been in 1977. Both Reyes and Old First Concerts have progressed considerably since then. Yesterday afternoon Reyes returned to Old First. As might be guessed, his repertoire had expanded; and this time his program drew heavily upon a CD he released in 2010 entitled Heart Strings. The second half of the program was devoted entirely to the music of the famous Paraguayan classical guitarist Agustín Barrios. Reyes’ own teacher, Dionicio Basualdo, was a protégé of Barrios; so there was a strong personal element in his connection to Barrios. This was evident in the remarks he provided to introduce compositions that many of us were hearing for the first time. The program nicely surveyed the diversity of the guitar repertoire, enhanced by the brief but highly personalized observations Reyes offered to introduce each piece.”

 

Stephen Smoliar, Examiner.com

 

N E W S

December 2014

Radio Air Play!

"Confesión" from Heart Strings has been added to the KDFC radio playlist!

 

• 90.3 FM in San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Los Gatos and Saratoga

• 89.9 FM in Wine Country

• 92.5 Ukiah-Lakeport

• On line