Release Date: 20 May 2022
Label: Odradek Records
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 0810042704299
Genres: Classical Solo Instrumental
Composer/Series: Iberian Impressions
'Iberian Impressions' starts and ends with two works that act as foundations for the entire programme: the Sonatinas by Armando José Fernandes and Xavier Montsalvatge. In a freer style, the suites by Isaac Albéniz ('España') and José Vianna da Motta ('Cenas Portuguesas') represent explorations of images, landscapes, dances or scenes typical of Spanish and Portuguese life. With two composers from each country, Paulo Oliveira felt the programme needed something to link them, to create a bridge between the two cultures, and believes that there is nobody better than Pedro Blanco to represent the fusion between Spanish and Portuguese piano music. Pedro Blanco was born in Spain but moved to Portugal and carried out important cultural exchanges between the two countries, contributing enormously to a contemporary cultural Iberianism. Pedro Blanco's three pieces included on this album, from his 'Castilla' Op. 16, 'Heures Romantiques' Op. 6 and 'Galanias' Op. 10, are all dedicated to Portuguese artists.
Paulo Oliveira has long felt a special affinity with this repertoire: his last piano teacher, Sequeira Costa, was a great interpreter of Iberian piano music, and his very personal approach to performing this music had a profound impact on Paulo Oliveira's interpretations, as heard on this album.
Nuno Côrte-Real, Ensemble Darcos & Coro Ricercare
Luc Beausejour
