This unusual evening of compositions rarely heard in Hungary brings the spotlight down on the French-Spanish music of the turn of the 20th century. The interest in Spanish culture of French composer Édouard Lalo, who wrote his cello concerto in 1876, is characterised in several of his works, among them his popular “Spanish” Symphony. Having both studied in Paris, Joaquín Turina and Jesús Guridi were highly talented standard bearers of early 20th century Spanish modernity, yet their international renown remains limited. They both attempted to combine folk music elements from their direct environment with the musical world of their French contemporaries (primarily the impressionists), whom they admired so greatly. The Ravel works that book-end the programme are also inspired by Spanish folk music: Boléro, perhaps the French master’s best-known composition, is based on an 18th century dance of the same name, while the composer also mined Spanish themes in Alborada del gracioso, the fourth piece of his Miroirs cycle. The work was originally written for piano, but he later rearranged it as1537 an orchestral piece.

Presented by: Pannon Philharmonic