RUSSELL: “Concierto Romantico,” Two Preludes; GALLARDO DEL...

RUSSELL: “Concierto Romantico,” Two Preludes; GALLARDO DEL REY: “Airs de Sevilla,” “Rosales.” Jose Maria Gallardo del Rey, guitar; Michael Nowak conducting the San Luis Obispo County Symphony. SoSo Sol Records 001. Just when you think Craig Russell’s big guitar concerto is a Rodrigo clone of perfect fidelity, along comes a distinctive jolt in another direction, particularly in the adventuresome solo passages. Gallardo del Rey plays it with compelling flair, a trifle limited in tonal color but lithe in line and rhythm. Nowak leads the engaging accompaniment, well-played though somewhat thickly recorded. Gallardo del Rey’s own solo pieces reveal mastery of conventional Iberiana, with Latino and jazz influences.