Eduardo Grau (1919–2006) was born in Barcelona but moved with his parents to Argentina when he was only eight years old. He subsequently received encouragement for his earliest compositions from no less a figure than Manuel de Falla, who was resident in Argentina at the time. Grau’s subsequent output spanned a wide range of genres: from incidental music to orchestral, chamber and choral works, plus pieces for solo instruments.
The selected works on this album are all heard in their world premiere recordings.
Eduardo GRAU (1919–2006)
Concertos for Soloists and String Orchestra
Jana Jarkovská, Flute • Simon Reitmaier, ClarinetAna María Valderrama, Violin • David Fons, Viola
Miklós Szitha, Timpani • Fabio Banegas, Piano
Anima Musicæ Chamber Orchestra • Francisco Varela
The music of Spanish-Argentine composer Eduardo Grau is imbued with Hispanic elements. His Concerto of ‘Yuste’ for Violin, Piano and Timpani was inspired by the Spanish monastery of its title and is notable for its rhythmic drive, lyricism and mystical atmosphere. The Concertino for Viola and Piano is deeply expressive and intimate, while folkloric dances from Argentina are used in the Concerto for Clarinet including the vivacious chacarera. The verses of Spanish Golden Age poet Garcilaso de la Vega provided the inspiration for Grau’s To the Flower of Gnido for Flute and Piano.
III. Allegro scherzando
Miklós Szitha, Simon Reitmaier, Ana María Valderrama, Fabio Banegas, Jana Jarkovská, Francisco Varela, David Fons
– Fanfare
Sinfonía Buenos Aires
Bandoneón Concerto, ‘Aconcagua’ • Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas
Binelli • Yang
Nashville Symphony Orchestra • Guerrero
– ClassicsToday.com
– American Record Guide
Ciclo de canciones
Violin Concerto • Clarinet Concerto
Tanaka • Inchausti • Rey • Lviv National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra
Boggiano
– American Record Guide