The coupling of two popular works creates problems of duplication; that of three compounds them. However, we may consider the two items of Rodrigo as a package, coupled in each of the selected comparisons; the Castelnuovo-Tedesco Concerto has been paired only once with either of them (Aranjuez), in Behrend's 1967 LP recording (now on Contour Classics CC7510, 8/81), and never before with both. The compression of all three on to a single disc owes nothing to abnormal tempos (there are none) but everything to the notable feat of producing an LP that runs for 65 minutes, with a side that negotiates 35 1/2 minutes without noticeable loss of quality as the run-off approaches. Fernandez is a magnificent player, no less fleet and clean than his 'competitors', and a refined musician whose interpretations (notably that of the Castelnuovo-Tedesco) are among the very best on record.
The ECO provide the precisely attentive support one might expect of an orchestra that must by now know this music by heart. In terms of value for money, this new recording looks like a clear board-sweeper, with the musical quality to back it up, but there are one or two 'buts' to add. Fernandez can produce beautiful sounds (the famous Adagio of Aranjuez is as magical and seductive as any offer) but when pressed for volume (and occasionally even when not so) his tone becomes thin and spikey, lacking the substance of that of Angel Romero (HMV) and, especially, Williams (CBS) in the Rodrigo; neither is his guitar entirely in tune throughout. At the opening of the Fantasia the guitar is marginally under-balanced against the orchestra. If these things do not overly disturb you, this record is a winner; otherwise, any of the selected comparisons will serve you well.'