David Russell: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

With rippling notes, intertwining melodies and a warm, lyrical tone, classical guitarist David Russell plays pieces from the baroque, from Latin America and from deep in the soul of Spain.

[@IrishMcFast]

this man is the david russell of classical guitar!

[@virtualpilgrim8645]

David Russell is also Irish even though he was raised in Spain...

[@julkitan3017]

I really like the sound of those NPR classical guitar concerts, that's the real guitar sound when you're in a small room, about one or 2 meters from it, no abusive reverb or whatever, no mixing desk, nothing artificial: just a guitar and a fabulous player.

[@celticgodsoriginal]

orrrrr Compression, the evil enemy of sound in the digital age

[@manuellilja539]

A a

[@ricardohernandezosun]

at the end: "thanks for listening guys!" you gotta be kidding me, i would pay hundreds to listen to you live!

[@mattbod]

Most folk i know who are talented are humble as they have nothing to prove.

[@The6pruz]

I saw him at the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor, a very small venue, and I sat maybe 3 feet away from him through the whole concert. I was trying so hard not to move or breathe! It was the experience of a lifetime! I think he is the greatest classical guitarist alive today.

[@yogarich]

I never get tired of listening to David Russell’s performance on here. A true master! Would love to hear him live.

[@thhall459]

This man is one of the crown jewels of humanity.

[@moneyman4kt]

Bring back the real David Russell no jumper

[@tiesergrote]

that tremolo sound is perfect

[@ddanze]

Tremolo in this one is exceptional (the Couperin piece)

[@ericsantibanez3538]

0:40 Una limosna por el amor de Dios 6:08 Les Silvains 10:00 Granada

[@mclegg721]

David Russell is one of the most talented, humble, passionate and inspiring classical guitarists of this age. He's not got a bad sense of humor either!

[@franklinjackson3637]

Our age :)

[@arfurlife]

This man is seriously devastating. This is musicianship and God given talent of the very very highest order. Truly stunning.

[@tasmedic]

A little bit of God, maybe, and an enormous amount of very hard work and practice.

[@Deebemc]

Davey Graham once said that to truly hear the full harmonic range of the sitar, you had to be sitting no more than 3 yards away from the instrument. This recording shows that you don’t need all the pre-amp nonsense that kills(for me) the tonal quality. David Russell is a household name in Spain ...top of the bill at the Cordoba Guitar Festival this year. Glasgow humour still very much in evidence! This video gives a great snapshot of his considerable talent. Wonderful renditions.

[@kennethfaught8754]

If it’s exquisite tremolo it’s gotta be David Russell! 👏👏

[@estebanquinones5918]

It's not fair for someone to have this kind of technique, tone, control, and musicality all at once.

[@thorenjohn]

Thank you for this wonderful up-close video of the master.

[@mcfctid2]

He has just gained another fan. What a player and what a charming person.

[@wevard]

That big smile at the end of Limosna, I believe he loved how he played it himself and that made him happy. I'd be happy if I could play it like that too!

[@Deerse]

Ozzy is pointing: David is the man!

[@virtualpilgrim8645]

Hendrix is seething...

[@CarlosCastilla]

David Russell is the Man! Number one classical guitarist until he decides to retire. 2nd to none.

[@gentlerhino]

Such an approachable genius. I've seen him at Palau Música Catalana in Barcelona and he got close and friendly with the audience of hundreds of people just as he does here in this video where he plays for a dozen of lucky spectators.

[@raqueldelamo5814]

Que grande MAESTRO !!!!! nunca me cansaré de escucharlo cualquiera sea el género que interprete. Pero nadie interpreta Tárrega como Ud. Me encanta verlo sólo Ud y su guitarra sin intervenciones técnicas, pero lo que es más importante : me EMOCIONA !!!! Definitivamente un GRANDE.

[@aduc92]

when he finishes the song and smiles, i feel so happy :)

[@ecurbdnyl]

What an incredibly lucky guitar you have Mr. Russell

[@ProCoRat]

I wonder if non guitarists have any idea how unbelievable that tremolo technique is. It does not sound human to be that clear and precise.

[@candymandoctor]

The amazing thing is that he is even nicer and more impressive in person! If any of you get a chance, attend one of his concerts or masterclasses. You will not be disappointed!

[@soyeux27]

What a joy. Pure and divine music from a true musical spirit. Thank you David Russell!!!

[@gentlerhino]

Not only a brilliant guitarist but also a great and humble human being. Humorous too!! He said he does not give name to his guitar because it's bad enough that he has it between his legs every day... :-)

[@steveb9325]

Lol!! That's hilarious. As a guitarist can so relate.

[@alejovasquez1136]

even with no acustic it all his guitar sounds magical and super clean that is being a true Master thankyou mr Rusell for inspiring me once again :D

[@tomasemilio]

I like the first piece so much, I keep applauding (i've watched this video 100 times at least)

[@jpao1973]

Granada...the most perfect version that never i' ve listened

[@ginnycateshe-her7046]

Definitely my favorite of all he performs. Truly beautiful and mesmerizing...

[@gmwwc]

I have been listening to wonderful Spanish guitar music on KZbin for years. How have I missed this Regalo de Dios? Thank you so very much for these posts.

[@thianwong4480]

So nice to see David playing here. I have a fond memory of him when he was around 27 years old and invited by my teacher Paul Banks in Vancouver, Canada to visit him this was in the 1970s). I and a few other students met David and he offered to help us with a Brazilian piece Paul was teaching us (Campo).

[@AmiroFaridxDD]

Qué sonido tan natural, es como tenerlo al lado. Aún sin reverberación mantiene una limpieza digna de admiraración.

[@OktoberStorm]

Nice to hear it without any stage or artificial reverb, just the mic and the small office.

[@Soytu19]

Yes it's nice to hear that without reverb or something like that. But actually it makes the sound rather poor, because the microphone can't record all the sounds that comes from the guitar. That's why i've always thought about the guitar as a "presence" instrument. In real life it's the most beautiful instrument.

[@samswank]

And an example of John Bold's playing can be found where? Thought so.

[@circusboy90210]

you must not know much about modern microphones or sound engineering

[@carlosm9364]

u can do it better i guess ja ja

[@jclark1693]

All instruments sound better in person. The sound of an actual orchestra in front of you is astonishing. The reality of air pulsing and moving and reacting with this space, there's so much a microphone just wont catch or hear the way we would in that moment, just like a camera can't capture the way we see depth and experience a visual scene when in its presence. I fucking hate fake reverb on acoustic guitar recordings. It is universally awful .

[@mrgregcat]

Saw him live in concert and then teaching master class. Wonderful performer and teacher. Negative comments about his clothing or accent are totally high school dropout. I love youtube for making these artists available to us at home no matter the Big Brother stuff they do.

[@willyilgatto]

sempre commovente e incredibile. dopo di lui, non puoi ascoltare più nessun altro.

[@brucegelman5582]

Unimaginable level of expertise.Truly one of classical guitars greatest

[@laydbakk1]

Russell is one awesome guitarist...

[@TheAmateurGuitarist]

beautiful. beautiful. beautiful.

[@user2812]

I agree. Heard him in a concert a few months ago: he was flawless, simply perfect. Very kind and nice person, too.

[@Odelrobg]

Beautiful & Brilliant. A true master.

[@GuitarMaster2410]

Mi saludo más cordial a David por su simpatía, su buen humor y esa maestría tan elogiada por todos. He tenido la gran suerte de asistir a sus Master clases en diversas ocasiones y saborear ese ambiente tan agradable y mágico que transmite tanto en sus clases como en sus conciertos.

[@Guitarletita]

BEAUTIFUL...! LOVE RUSSELL! Thank you so much for the quality of this video : )

[@johnnyCheeseburger]

His ornaments in the Couperin are so perfect.

[@luislute]

It's not my intention to sound pretentious or to say that his ornaments are "wrong", as it's all a matter of taste, but Couperin would probably dislike them pretty much as the instruction that he gives on his harpsichord books are quite different to what Russell does.

[@josephcambron7060]

Crisp, hard edged mordents. Kinda exciting.

[@alchemist1111]

David Russell is great to see live. I have and will again travel good distances to see him when I can.

[@JGAbstract]

Is it a law that all great classical guitarists videos must be below standard definition video quality?

[@giathomas745]

I love that music 🎶

[@playsosoft]

A super guitarist, a super person.

[@newislandguitar]

A very good musician (great ear!) too. Beautiful personal touch to what he plays.

[@gian323]

After watching Polyphia and Ichika, I'm surprised how wow'd I was by Russell. My first guitar was a nylon classical guitar and this video is inspiring me to learn/play

[@MrJohnAndrewhall]

That Couperin piece is fab, that must have excited the ladies of the French court.

[@uniballpenman]

The Mangore piece was played beautifully.

[@ShyKai]

This is is truly incredible, moves me to tears.

[@sariellemederholm8858]

This clip makes me cry every time i hear it.

[@carlosm9364]

why???

[@virtualpilgrim8645]

Sorry about your life...

[@moniqueledermann1355]

beautiful...thank you for posting!

[@shawndawson7901]

fantastic!

[@mountaindevils2554]

wow, mind blown. Granada. how beautiful

[@jumee1676]

사랑이 몽글몽글 피어오르는 연주입니다.

[@leonotusleonurus17]

This is priceless.....thanks you all for putting this up-- and the others

[@klarolivia]

so, so amazing...

[@rickchalek6101]

Russell always kills me. Just kills me. Technically proficient as he is melodic.

[@christopherjones534]

so good and amazing

[@asingusa]

Beautiful ....

[@griffithlistener]

great video

[@joshbuchfink]

beautiful. The emotions he evokes when he plays are amazing. A true artist.

[@alvinmephyrnairyntathiang]

Sir David Russel you are my motivation and inspiration.

[@ZeriMelodik]

Great and Excellent. I LOVE IT.

[@ThejaBuddhika]

Great technique and tone! Thanks for sharing wonderful music

[@Dizinii]

cameraman, thank you for closing in on his left hand. Its so cool to be able to see his relaxed left hand technique. I wish more videos were done this way. Closeups tell us so much.

[@Yuriy21]

Amazing performance! Bravo!

[@raymondjamesrivera]

Russell rules period, wonderful tone and interpretations...

[@MrMjp58]

Fantastic playing and a wonderful film with which to study a master at close quarters.

[@Geist40]

I like his arrangement his fingerings make more sense then the copy i have. Brilliant player.

[@kevinkgillette]

Wow! Just...wow! Exquisite transitions, light touch - truly a breathtaking rendering of these compositions!

[@3009arod]

Master Russel, simply wonderful

[@daggeres1]

man that just sounds amazing

[@kelborgui]

Wonderful!

[@victormonreale9217]

Barrios wrote more than 200 compositions , he was the first to use steel strings and the first to be recorded in 1913, one of the best guitarist who wrote guitar music.in the classical style and folklore stile, he was a truly great composer and interpreter.

[@jesus7357]

One of my favourite classical players!

[@whoiskangkang]

What a brilliant, humble, talented idol !

[@untipcubreton]

I could write essays about any other aspect.. but his intonation is surreal.

[@sfgylk34u_57]

Wonderful musician.

[@oemadrid]

Increible calidad interpretativa y sonido!

[@Ringwraithlp3]

I wish I could give each piece a thumbs up not just the video. it is too wonderful.

[@user-sd5bm2zo6c]

Awesome!!

[@baward]

Lovely stuff, Mr. Russell.

[@thebeatcreeper]

Stunning...

[@quezfor]

Excelente, muy fina. Saludos desde Seattle Senor David...siempre le esperamos aqui!

[@louisestowell6208]

That is beautiful! Oh my gosh! You're amazing!

[@Cloudsorrow256]

It´s a very beautiful and baroque-like tehnique :).

[@azulyaceroguitar9517]

Es uno de los pocos grandes que nos quedan! Que brillo de interpretacion hermoso!

[@photopicker]

They just don't know. Don't fault someone for being naive. David is a virtuoso. Message of the Sea is one of my favorite albums. Rare to hear Celtic music in the classical style.

[@juliabizzi]

Great!

[@vancerenfroe4736]

very nice

[@jameslouder]

His use of ornaments in the Couperin is just amazing. I've never heard any classical guitarist do the like.

[@ricstang]

This guy has an amazing cross-string trill...

[@padugon2000]

Precioso que técnica y cuánto trabajo detrás, mi enhorabuena David, king david

[@erwantrubesch2592]

He's a fabulous musician, and look at the twinkle in his eyes, you have to love this guy... Oh, and David, Les Sylvaines is not exactly 'the wild ones' it's more like 'the ladies (genies) of the forest'. Silva is forest in latin and sylvain(e) in old French means 'from the forest'.

[@josejoaoaiex9106]

Essa é a mais bela interpretação dessa música de Barrios, que já ouvi! Bravo David!!!

[@user-tr3fr8oe3i]

this russell's dammann guitar! best of best sound