Description
Now comes Gulyas's eighth album on Proprius. The album features Spanish music from the early 20th century, consisting entirely of solo guitar works by Joaquin Turina, Antonio Jose, and Manuel de Falla. His latest album, featuring the guitar music of the Latin American composer Villa-Lobos, was praised by critics upon its release in 2023. Joaquin Turina, Antonio Jose, and Manuel de Falla all contributed to advancing Spanish music at the beginning of the 20th century. Although French impressionism, particularly that of Debussy and Ravel, influenced and inspired colorful harmonies and textures, their compositions retained an unmistakable, authentic Spanish identity. The first piece on this album, Fandanguillo Op. 36, was composed in 1925 in the style of an Andalusian flamenco dance and, like many of Turina's works, it was dedicated to the influential Spanish classical guitarist Andres Segovia (1893-1987). Sevillana Op. 29 is a fiery dance originating from the composer's native town. Sonata Op. 61, is composed in a classic sonata form of three movements. It opens with a lively and energetic Allegro, which turns into a more serene and expressive Allegretto tranquillo. The second movement, a slow and contemplative Andante, creates a sense of introspection and calm, evolving into a smooth melody. The final movement, a lively Allegro vivo, brings the sonata to an exhilarating conclusion. Rafaga Op. 53 opens with atmospheric harmonics, followed by a section with an expressive melody, after which a dance pattern suddenly breaks off towards the end of the piece. The last work by Turina on this album, Homenaje a Tarrega Op. 69, was dedicated to the guitarist and composer Francisco Tarrega, considered the founder of the modern classical guitar. It consists of two pieces: Garrotin, in the style of a dance from the northern Asturias region, and Soleares from the southernmost region, Andalusia. Soleares draws on the fundamental forms, or palos, of flamenco music: it is written in a fast tempo and employs typical flamenco techniques like tapping on the guitar body.
