Montsalvatge: Piano Music, Vol. 3: Music for 2 Pianos

Featuring

Jordi Masó
Miquel Villalba
Ernest Martínez Izquierdo
Pia Freund
Ferran Carceller
Miquel Angel Martinez

Barcelona 216
Xavier Montsalvatge

Did you know?

1/7

Composer Biography

Xavier Montsalvatge, one of the most important Catalan composers of the 20th century, studied at the Barcelona Conservatory.

Compositional Technique

Montsalvatge often chose outlandish titles for his works, sometimes even deciding on the title before composing the music.

Recording & Production

Barcelona 216, the ensemble on this recording, was established in 1985 by composer and conductor Ernest Martínez Izquierdo and flautist David Albet to promote contemporary repertoire.

Composer Biography

Montsalvatge's 5 Canciones negras (5 Black songs) launched his international career, leading to his works being premiered by renowned soloists like Alicia de Larrocha and Victoria de los Ángeles.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Montsalvatge was 'unconditionally enthusiastic' about jazz artists like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman, though jazz influence in his music is less obvious.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Montsalvatge's music, especially his early works, shows a clear West Indian or Cuban influence, as heard in his Cuarteto indiano or the famous 5 Canciones negras.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Montsalvatge had a lifelong 'passion for the ballet' after seeing Dyagilev's Ballets Russes in 1933, resulting in about twenty ballet scores in his catalogue.