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My album “Exchanges” is a collection of original compositions and works by Villa-Lobos, Tansman, Granados, Bizet, and premiere recordings of 19th century Peruvian composer Pedro Tirado. In my research and preparation for this album, I was strongly influenced by the performance styles of early sound recordings. In particular, I drew on the recordings of Villa-Lobos’s guitar playing, Granados piano roll recordings, and many classical guitarists of the early 20th century such as Maria Luisa Anido, Luise Walker, and Vincente Gomez, among others. 

Featured on Exchanges is my concert instrument, made in 2013 by luthier Aaron Green, whose work is informed by great traditional guitars of the early and mid-20th century. The instrument’s facility for timbral complexity, varied articulation, and cantabile playing emerge from Green’s extensive knowledge of construction techniques and materials used by luthiers from eras close to the time periods of the featured composers on the recording. For strings, I chose the La Bella Rectified Nylon Series, which are expertly crafted to imitate the string types used by guitarists of the early 20th century. In “Escuela Razonada de la Guitarra” of 1934, Emilio Pujol provides an example of string specifications from this era. The rectified surface of the treble strings closely imitate the warm and textured sound of gut strings, which were the only available treble strings for the classical guitar until the middle of the 20th century.

The recording setup at StudioTeo in New Haven, Connecticut was chosen to bring out the core sound of the instrument and the nylgut strings. Recorded in a studio with pine, cedar, and maple walls, with the Audio Engineering Associates NUVO N8, selected to capture the natural tonal palette of warmth and brightness offered by the instrument.

-Kevin Sherwin

Press Quotes for Exchanges

"Its challenges are as nothing compared to Sherwin’s expert virtuosity. Perhaps it is the recording that is equally notable, though: The guitar really is heard in the very best way possible."
-Colin Clarke, Fanfare Magazine

"This album is one of those rare examples enveloped in a special, timeless atmosphere. It seems to come from the past, or perhaps from the future, transporting the listener through times and epochs."
-Gabriel Rivera, Indie Boulevard Magazine

"The last piece, and Sherwin’s last included composition, titled Sanctuary, is one that is indeed comforting… Again, his finger work is absolutely superb—finely complex and moving—an overall excellent example of his artistry and immense capacity for self-expression. This is most definitely my favorite piece on the album (and I’d be willing to argue that all these pieces are my favorite)."

-Jacqueline Kharouf, Fanfare Magazine

"I first met Kevin Sherwin when I was guest lecturing at Yale. He is a man of many talents: a beautiful guitarist, a gifted composer, and a cultural historian. It has been my privilege to get to know him. And perhaps even more of a privilege to spend time listening to his music."

-Thomas Z. Shepard, 12-Time Grammy Award-winning record producer & composer; Former Co-Director of CBS Masterworks & Vice President of RCA Red Seal

"A vital release for anyone who is interested how 19th and early 20th century performance ideas can enrich musical expression. These performances have an amazing elasticity and individuality coupled with a fantastic array of colours. A musical breath of fresh air when so many recordings these days are stylistically almost interchangeable."

-John Snijders, Artistic Director & Pianist, Ives Ensemble (Amsterdam); Head of Music Performance, Durham University (United Kingdom)

“A fascinating mix of modern technology with the study of early recordings; for me, the forceful Villa-Lobos and the refined Minuet by Tirado were standout performances; a fascinating collection vividly recorded.”

-George Kennaway, Cellist & Conductor; Author, Playing the Cello (Routledge); Visiting Research Fellow, Huddersfield University Centre for Performance Research; Former Co-Principal Cello, Opera North

“This beautiful recording is a congenial mix of flavorful favorites and original compositions by Sherwin himself. The blend of works is delightful; this is a recording one listens to end to end, because Sherwin’s grasp of the guitar’s character, personality, and tradition is such that his works give every indication of belonging with the others. Wonderful listening!”

-Jonathan Bellman, Author, Chopin's Polish Ballade (Oxford University Press); Professor of Music History and Literature & Head of Academic Studies, University of Northern Colorado School of Music

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