MONTSALVATGE Partita 1958. Calidoscopi simfònic, Op 61. Simfonia de Rèquiem
Mena’s BBC Phil mark Spaniard Montsalvatge’s centenary
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Xavier Montsalvatge
Label: Chandos
Magazine Review Date: 11/2012
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 68
Mastering:
Stereo
DDD
Catalogue Number: CHAN10735
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Partita 1958 |
Xavier Montsalvatge, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Juanjo Mena, Conductor Xavier Montsalvatge, Composer |
(5) Canciones negras |
Xavier Montsalvatge, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Clara Mouriz, Singer, Mezzo soprano Juanjo Mena, Conductor Xavier Montsalvatge, Composer |
Calidoscopi simfònic |
Xavier Montsalvatge, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Juanjo Mena, Conductor Xavier Montsalvatge, Composer |
Sinfonía de réquiem |
Xavier Montsalvatge, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Juanjo Mena, Conductor Ruby Hughes, Singer, Soprano Xavier Montsalvatge, Composer |
Author: Guy Rickards
For most British listeners, the title Partita 1958 will suggest Walton (who wrote one that same year) but Montsalvatge’s attractive, part-neo-classical affair is very different in style and expression. After a brief opening Fanfare, a substantial, multifaceted Sarabande gives way to a subtle Intermezzo and quasi-fugal, near-Hartmannesque Finale. The larger-scale Simfonia de Rèquiem (1985) is serious in tone and, like Britten’s, translates elements of the musicality of the Mass (and Gregorian chant) into an orchestral format but more fluidly, with warmer orchestration and less melodrama. The addition of the solo soprano in the concluding ‘Libera me’ is a lovely touch, especially when sung as nicely as by Ruby Hughes. The BBC Philharmonic are in excellent form throughout, well marshalled by Mena, they and Montsalvatge’s often spare, quiet textures captured in typically rich Chandos sound. A very enjoyable disc.
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