SPONSORED: CD Spotlight. A Fantastic Collection. Penelope Cave Panorama CD. Little-known harpsichord gems, strongly recommended by Alice McVeigh.
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ROMANTICISM: Explore the late George Colerick's fascinating series of articles encroaching on the subjects of melody, romanticism, operetta and humour in music.
Spanish composer Joaquín Turina Pérez was born in Seville on 9 December 1882. He studied in Seville, Madrid and then Paris, where his composition teacher was Vincent d'Indy and his piano teacher was Moritz Moszkowski.
Turina lived in Paris until 1914, where he became acquainted with Debussy and Ravel, and then returned to Madrid with his friend Manuel de Falla, where he worked as composer, critic and teacher. He played in the first performance of the revised version of Falla'a El amor brujo and he travelled to Cuba to lecture in Havana.
His famous rapturous Danzas fantásticas, completed in 1919, were dedicated to his wife, Obdulia Garzón. His music, influenced by the traditional music of Andalucia, includes two operas, Margot (1914) and Jardín de Oriente (1923), La oración del torero (in versions for lute quartet, string quartet and string orchestra), and much chamber music, guitar pieces, piano works and songs.
Turina became professor of composition at the Madrid Royal Conservatory in 1931, and he died in Madrid, aged sixty-six, on 14 January 1949.
Spotlight. Superb Performances - Amber Lin and Jeffrey Neil investigate Christine Moore Vassallo's journey through Spanish song. 'Christine Moore Vassallo and her ensemble were a delight to experience.'
Ensemble. Propulsive Energy and Contemplative Interludes - Mike Wheeler listens to the Coull Quartet
CD Spotlight. Full of Colours and Flavour - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to music from Sharon Isbin and the Pacifica Quartet. '... an original program and excellent rendering make very pleasant listening.'
Ensemble. A Delightful Surprise - Beethoven, Turina and Schumann from the Aquinas Trio impress Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Gorgeously Irresistible - Piano quintets by Granados and Turina, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... an almost instinctive sense of interplay between the players ...'
CD Spotlight. Pulsating Energy - Chamber music by Joaquín Turina impresses Gerald Fenech. '... wonderfully characterized and atmospheric readings ...'
CD Spotlight. Rose-coloured Sound - Canadian-born harpist Katrina Szederkényi, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... truly magnificent ...'
CD Spotlight. Appropriate Innocence - Spanish song, familiar and unfamiliar, heard by Paul Sarcich. 'High quality work all round.'
CD Spotlight. Atmosphere and Rhythm - Twentieth century Spanish songs, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... beautifully sung with spirited and intelligent accompaniment.'
CD Spotlight. Lively Forms - Music by Joaquín Turina, heard by Patric Standford. '... superbly performed ...'
CD Spotlight. Wondrous Music - Cuarteto Casals, heard by Robert Anderson. '... impeccable ensemble, just intonation, a rich variety of tone colours, and a youthful freshness of approach.'
CD Spotlight. Modest Performances - A guitar recital by Stephen Reck, heard by Patric Standford. '... a competent and varied presentation ...'
CD Spotlight. Varied Moods - The Icicle Creek Piano Trio, heard by Robert Anderson. '... admirably captured ...'
CD Spotlight. Consistently Refined - Debussy transcriptions, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... these alternatives are never less than striking ...'
Record Box. Beautifully Subtle - Cuarteto Casals plays Ravel, Turina and Toldrá, reviewed by Patric Standford
CD Spotlight. Sonatas and sonatinas - Guitar music played by Nathan Kolosko, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. 'Kolosko's playing is clean, fluent and assured ...'
CD Spotlight. Exquisite quality - Music played by the Kandinsky Trio, recommended by Patric Standford. '... one of the most attractive chamber music recordings ...'
CD Spotlight - Piano exotica - '... marvellously controlled rhythms, touch and stylistic finess.' Martin Jones plays Spanish piano music. With Bill Newman