Refreshing and elegant, the music of the Spanish masters between the last decade of the 19th century and the new horizons of modernity represents a verdant oasis of tones amid the many revolutionary personalities in those years of dramatic change.
A language eager to capture the echoes of a rich folk heritage and capable to deliver this gracefully through dense chromaticism, extraordinary virtuosic gestures, colourful tonal palette and charming, often very distinctive harmonies (Turina).
Some of the masterpieces presented here (and in the next 2 volumes) are must-haves, altogether, this repertoire strikes us for its consistency, scale and depth.
From the "Lisztian-Chopinesque" density of this new piano school's beginnings, all the way to Montsalvatge's magnificent "classic modernism" well into the second half of the 20th century, let us enjoy some rare as well as some of the most noted recordings of classics like Albeniz's
Iberia or de Falla's
Noches, Granados'
Goyescas or Turina's
Canto a Sevilla and
Danzas Fantasticas, mostly performed by great Spanish interpreters of the last 50 years.
Manuel de Falla
Noches en los jardines de España *
El sombrero de tres picos **
Daniel Barenboim,
Piano
Jennifer Larmore,
Mezzo-Soprano
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Plácido Domingo *
Daniel Barenboim **
Teldec 0630-17145-2 (2000)
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