This disc is part
of the valuable “Spanish Classics” series from Naxos. So far
this has tended to explore lesser-known composers such as Arambarri,
Guridi and Serra (each of whom has one highly recommendable
disc) in preference to Albéniz, Falla and Granados (just one
disc between them). There is, however, quite an extensive collection
of Rodrigo’s orchestral music and this is a third outing for
Turina. It nicely complements previous discs of his orchestral
music (8.555955) and piano trios (8.555870) and is billed as
the first of a complete series of his piano music.
All the works on
this disc are dances and draw deeply from the musical tradition
of the composer’s homeland. It opens with the original piano
version of the Danzas fantásticas which is in three movements
entitled Exaltation, Fantasy and Orgy.
This offers a rather cooler landscape than in the orchestral
version which is included on 8.555955. In the three Andalusian
Dances which follow there are strong echoes of Albéniz,
especially in the opening petenera. The first set of
five Gypsy Dances (op.55) was a big success when first
performed by José Cubiles, a pianist who championed Turina’s
works. This led the composer to produce an orchestral version
and a second set of five (op.84), in which Falla’s influence
can be detected. The two dances on popular Spanish themes were
first performed in London. The first is a seguidilla
based on local rhythms from Seville where Turina was born. The
final work, a suite of five dances from the 19th
century, contains several themes which seem familiar, presumably
because they have also been used by other Spanish composers.
Turina’s piano music
is attractive and inventive but perhaps not quite as imaginative
as the works of Albéniz and Granados. Jordi Masó is one of Spain’s
leading pianists. His playing is controlled and idiomatic but
sometimes lacks the feeling of abandon that Alicia de Larrocha
brings to the Spanish piano repertoire. The sound and documentation
are good, and this is excellent value. Know and love the Iberia
Suite and Goyescas, and hankering for more? This
could be the answer.
Patrick
C Waller
see
also review
by Steve Arloff
Jordi Masó (piano)
