Maximillian Mangold - Musica Magica - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

During the course of the nineteenth century, national tendencies evolved in the area of music in many Europen countries. Examples of this are the national operas by Smetana, Mussorgsky, and Tchaikovsky, which are substantially informed by folksong-like melodies, regional dance rhythms, and local color in scene and plot. In Spain, the composer and musicologist Felipe Pedrell (1851-1922) was greatly active in the treatment and inclusion of Iberian folk music and traditional Spanish song material in art music. Although his compositions are today largely forgotten, he nevertheless laid the cornerstone for an independent development in Spanish music. All renowned composers who were important for the concept of the Spanish national school were Pedrell's pupils, including Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909), Enrique Granados (1867-1916), and Manuel de Falla (1876-1948). However, they also received an important part of their artistic inspiration and training in Paris, and through their acquaintance with Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy were likewise influenced by contemporary French music. Since the beginning of the century, the French capital was a magnet for many Spanish authors, painters, and musicians. Therefore, both elements - the folklore partly influenced by the centuries-long Moorish dominion over Andalusia and French impressionistic music - belonged to the significant characteristics of the Spanish national school. The compositions selected for this recording also let these influences be clearly recognized. Maximilian Mangold is regarded Inchas one of today's artistically most interesting German guitaristsInch (Fono Forum). Mangold has an extraordinarily extensive repertoire that is also documented on twenty-two recordings that have been enthusiastically acclaimed by critics and praised as reference recordings.

The arrangement of Albeniz's piano works for solo guitar, multiple guitars, and even guitar plus a melody instrument has a long tradition, beginning with Francisco Tarrega and Miguel Llobet as well as many other legendary guitarists. The arrangements and versions recorded here are not actually original arrangements but are compiled from a multitude of existing templates and suggestions from recordings.

The second album of German harpist Maximilian Ehrhardt on Carpe Diem Records is a unique concept album of music for the rare Italian InchArpa DoppiaInch, a chromatic harp from the 17th Century. As there are only a few original compositions known for this instrument, the intention of this project was to invent a new repertoire for the Italian chromatic harp and to utilise the instrument's special tonal and technical characteristics to build a bridge between the past and the present. Six compositions from the 17th century are being complemented by six contemporary works that pay reference to their original templates in very different and fascinating ways. This harp album is a totally new musical experience, both imaginative and daring, and will hopefully contribute to the recognition of a wonderful, almost forgotten instrument.