Fernando Sor (1778-1839) was one of the greatest masters of the early classical guitar and his oeuvre stands as a monument to an original and fastidious, if modest, genius. His instrumental works are well known; less so is his output for voice with guitar or piano accompaniment.

In Sor’s hands the seguidilla was a combination of low-end culture and high-end craftsmanship. Written for one, two or three voices and guitar (as performed here) or piano accompaniment, they feature bolero rhythms and two-stanza poems, some of which are very naughty indeed. Like the one comparing women with guitar strings: “If they’re too loose, they don’t vibrate, and very often they break if you stretch them too much.”

Some of these seguidillas boleras have been recorded before, most notably by Montserrat Figueras and guitarist José Miguel Moreno; but none has been presented with quite the same cheekiness and finesse. Tenors Lambert Climent and Lluís Vilamajó, together with baritone Jordi Ricart, are sweet-toned and insinuating while possessing just the right timbre to complement Díaz-Latorre’s original 1842 Francisco España guitar.

A few more contemporary items, like the fabulous Cuban bolero “Aquellos ojos verdes” by Nilo Menéndez which ends the disc, would have been most welcome, since a certain monotony does creep in – despite the liveliness of the performances and the inclusion of instrumental works like Sor’s superb guitar duo “Les deux amis”.

Therefore, as well recorded as it is packaged, and with excellent notes by Díaz-Latorre, this naughty little number will, like anything spicy, be best enjoyed in moderation.