4/3 Songs and Laments of the Sephardim The Spanish Hour celebrates Passover (evening to evening April 5-13 this year:) the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. This week’s program features sacred, paraliturgical, celebratory, and secular music of the Jews of the Mediterranean: Spain, Greece, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire performed by Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI, New York Baroque Ensemble, and Alia Musica.
4/10 The Unknown Granados This week, discover hidden gems by well-known Spanish and Mexican composers. Featured are pianist Miguel Baselga, The State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, playing works by Albéniz, Ponce, and Granados waiting to be discovered anew.
4/17 Sant Jordi Day: A Rose for Love, A Book Forever Whether you know April 23rd as la Diada de Sant Jordi, el día de la rosa, or el día del llibre, (St. George's Day, The Day of the Rose, or World Book Day,) this week The Spanish Hour celebrates the Catalan national holiday with Catalan classics from the Renaissance through the 20th century, focusing on three Spanish composers from the Catalan region. We'll hear sacred music from the Renaissance by Joan Cererols, piano miniatures reminiscent of Schumann's Album for the Young by Granados disciple Josep Martí i Cristià, and a piano trio by Granados himself, written when he was 27.
4/24 On Memoriam: Guernica On April 26, 1937, Axis forces, with Franco's knowledge and consent, obliterated the quiet Basque town of Guernica (Gernika,) killing 1,654 civilians, mostly women and children. We'll commemorate the anniversary of this tragic event with Octavio Vázquez's Guernica (Piano Trio Number 1.) Born in Spain's Galicia region, Professor Vazquez teaches at the Nazareth College of Rochester, NY, where he directs the composition program.
