Franz Halasz - Complete Music for Solo Guitar - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Following his exploration of Spain with the music of Federico Moreno Torroba (BIS-2725), Franz Halasz now takes us to Brazil with the complete works for solo guitar by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The music of this extremely prolific composer often combines the influences of European classical music with the popular and traditional music of his homeland, which he played from an early age. The twelve etudes, thoroughly modern, are to the guitar what Chopin's etudes are to the piano. Andres Segovia put it perfectly 'They present, at the same time, formulas of an amazing efficiency for the development of two-handed technique, and disinterested musical beauty.' In contrast, the Suite populaire bresilienne and Choros No. 1 reflect the composer's youthful experiences as a 'choro' musician playing Brazilian street music, and offer a fusion of the characteristics of traditional music. Finally, the five Preludes return to Brazilian folklore, of which they offer a synthesis in the form of five tableaux inspired by the popular repertoire. This recording also features two rarities the recently discovered Valse-Choro and the unfinished Valsa Concerto No. 2, completed by Debora Halasz. An evocative blend of syncopated rhythms, exotic harmonies, sensual melodies... and guitaristic flamboyance! Details 1. Douze Études, W 235~1. Allegro non troppo - des arpèges 2. Douze Études, W 235~2. Allegro - des arpèges 3. Douze Études, W 235~3. Allegro moderato - des arpèges 4. Douze Études, W 235~4. Un peu modéré - des accords répétés 5. Douze Études, W 235~5. Andantino 6. Douze Études, W 235~6. Poco allegro 7. Douze Études, W 235~7. Très animé 8. Douze Études, W 235~8. Modéré 9. Douze Études, W 235~9. Très peu animé - des ornements 10. Douze Études, W 235~10. Très animé 11. Douze Études, W 235~11. Lent - Animé - Lent 12. Douze Études, W 235~12. Animé 13. Suite populaire

After his latest recording, devoted to Bach's Sonatas and Partitas in his own arrangement, Franz Halasz returns to Spanish music with this recital devoted to Federico Moreno Torroba. The composer of many of the best-known zarzuelas, Moreno Torroba did not initially seem destined to specialise in guitar music. It was his symphonic poems that caught the attention of the legendary guitarist Andres Segovia, who commissioned Moreno Torroba's first compositions for guitar despite the composer's unfamiliarity with the instrument. The compositions gathered here showcase a composer who, although deeply rooted in the Spanish musical tradition, was attuned to what was being done elsewhere, including the music of Claude Debussy and Igor Stravinsky, and who created a personal language marked by impressionism that would later influence guitar music throughout the twentieth century, from Heitor Villa-Lobos to Leo Brouwer.The winner of a Latin Grammy, Franz Halasz is a highly acclaimed guitarist who has himself contributed to the repertoire of his instrument by making arrangements of Manuel de Falla and Isaac Albeniz. On a guitar built in 1936 by the legendary luthier Hermann Hauser, Halasz turns the instrument into a multi-faceted prism through which the musician can 'break the light of music' into orchestral sound, in the words of Segovia.

Album Tracks 1. Nunc 2. Suoni Notturni 3. Sequen. Za XI 4. Due Canzoni Lidie I 5. Due Canzoni Lidie II 6. Magie Divert 7. Magie Sospeso 8. Tre Pezzi (Ii Versione) I 9. Tre Pezzi (Ii Versione) II 10. Tre Pezzi (Ii Versione) III