IDAGIO | Montsalvatge: Simfonia de rèquiem - Calidoscopi Simfònic - 5 Canciones negras

Featuring

Juanjo Mena
Clara Mouriz
Ruby Hughes
BBC Philharmonic
Xavier Montsalvatge

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Composition History

Montsalvatge's Calidoscopi simfònic, a four-movement ballet, derives from an early, unfinished ballet titled El Angel de la Guarda (The Guardian Angel).

Composer Biography

Xavier Montsalvatge, born in Girona, remained true to his Catalan roots, unlike many Spanish composers who focused on Andalusian flamenco.

Recording & Production

This Chandos recording utilizes 24-bit / 96 kHz technology, which offers a dynamic range up to 48 dB greater and 256 times the resolution of standard 16-bit recordings.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Montsalvatge was inspired by French composer Darius Milhaud, who introduced Brazilian popular music rhythms into his compositions, though Milhaud's influence on Montsalvatge was more harmonic than rhythmic.

Performer Biography

Ruby Hughes, the soprano on this recording, is a BBC New Generation Artist and won both First Prize and the Audience Prize at the 2009 Handel Singing Competition.

Historical Context

The habanera, a dance form featured in Montsalvatge's music, originated in Cuba from a mix of African, European, and native Indian populations, arriving in Spain via returning Catalans.

Compositional Technique

Montsalvatge's Simfonia de Rèquiem is a symphonic version of the Requiem Mass that intentionally uses no words or voices until the very end, focusing on orchestral expression.