World-renowned baroque guitarist William Carter presents an appealing collection of early works by Spanish guitar virtuoso and composer Fernando Sor. William Carter employs a performance practice endorsed by Sor himself – playing without fingernails, making this a truly unique recording.

Sor’s guitar music is some of the finest ever written for the instrument. This CD includes three large-scale works, interspersed with shorter pieces, which are charming and intimate and with a strong Spanish flavour.

Carter’s use of his fingertips delivers wider dynamic contrasts and a softer, more subtle sound. This is the premiere recording of Sor’s early works to exploit this historically accurate performance practice and Carter's recording aims to position Sor in his deserved place in history as a leading composer for the guitar, whose virtuosic knowledge allowed him to create music perfectly suited to the instrument.

A founding-member of the famous Palladian Ensemble, Carter has a deserved reputation as one of the finest baroque guitarists with critically acclaimed performances as an orchestral player, chamber musician and soloist.

William Carter is a member of The Academy of Ancient Music, The English Concert and Palladians and is well known in the UK as a regular performer at Early Music Festivals. His passion for the baroque guitar enthuses his playing with a freshness and vitality, coupled with faultless technique.

“Quite simply some of the finest Baroque guitar playing you'll ever hear.” – Gramophone