9/4 Spain à la Russe This week, we test the premise of Mikhail Glinka’s statement, “A nation creates music – the composer only arranges it” with works by Russian composers inspired by Spain and its melodies. On this week’s program, we travel some 2200 miles east from Madrid to Moscow, to hear how Russian composers, including Glinka, were inspired to try to capture through music, the essence of Spain.
9/11 Dances from the Spanish Empire Cuba, as well as the Philippines, had a rich musical tradition prior to the arrival of Spanish conquistadors.This week's program focuses on the cross-pollination of musical ideas music from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries between Spain and two of its former colonies: Cuba, a Spanish possession for almost 400 years, and the Philippines, a viceroyalty from the mid 16th to early 19th centuries. Habaneras, malagueñas. guajiras, valses, and danzas performed live in concert by the Manilan-born American pianist Charisse Baldoria.
9/18 Spanish Composers of the Mid-20th Century This week, some lesser-known works by well-known composers from Valencia, Madrid and the Basque Countries: Joaquín Rodrigo's Tres Evocaciones for piano, Federico Moreno Torroba's Castillos de España for guitar, and Introducción, Andante y Danza by Julián Menéndez.
9/25 Los Hermanos Halffter: The Brothers Halffter Two brothers, two composers, two countries. Works by composers and siblings Ernesto and Rodolfo Halffter, part of Spain's Generación de '27 (Generation of 1927.) Though both were born in Spain, one of the brothers is known as a Spanish composer, while the other identified as a Mexican composer. We know you’ll enjoy the music of both Halffter brothers.
