Classical Works Spotlight #333--Joaquin Turina

[erik]

A mini piano concerto by one of Spain's great 20th century composers is in this week's Classical Works Spotlight.

Turina: RAPSODIA SINFONICA FOR PIANO AND STRINGS

Although not considered an absolute “star composer” like his fellow Spaniard Joaquin Rodrigo, Joaquin Turina was nevertheless a fine composer who contributed a great deal to his native country. Originally given an accordion by a family servant, Turina’s keyboard skills rapidly progressed to the piano; and from that point on, he would never lose his virtuosity on that instrument. However, unlike other composers who were also prolific pianists (Mozart; Beethoven; Prokofiev), Turina did not perceive the piano as a grand instrument for great effects, but for its expressiveness and intimacy. This was most principally felt in his work for piano and string orchestra that was deceptively titled “Rapsodia Sinfonica” (Symphonic Rhapsody). A work that is only nine minutes in length and is, in all but name, a miniature piano concerto, the work reflects both an assimilation of the instrument’s understated technical brilliance, and also the composer’s use of native Spanish rhythms, a characteristic of many composers of the 20th century. The work was premiered on March 11, 1933; and although it is not an active part of the 20th century piano repertoire like Rachmaninoff’s celebrated Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, it has gained a lot of favor with pianists who wish to try smaller-sized works with the appropriate pianistic virtuosity.



Piano: GUSTAVO ROMERO

San Diego Chamber Orchestra/DONALD BARRA (Koch Classics)

Included:
Turina; LA ORACION DEL TOREO
Rodrigo: CUATRO MADIGALES AMATORIOS (Soprano: RUTH GOLDEN)
Rodrigo: TRES VIEJOS AIRES DE DANZA
Rodrigo: ZARABANDA LEJANA Y VLLANCICO

[egoodstein]

Sounds a nice recording. I'm not familiar with this work-- I will check out the record. I have liked some of his solo piano work and a couple other things I've heard. Very much worthy alongside De Falla, Rodrigo
and such. And I think there is a definite 'vein' of such 20th century intimate piano work beyond just Latin America, stretching from influences like Debussy and Satie, through Mompou, Kurtag and others that he
belongs with too.

[erik]

I think the connections between Turina (and Rodrigo, to a significant extent) on one hand, and Debussy and Satie (as well as Ravel) on the other, are very legitimate to point out, given the common geographical border that France and Spain share, and the frequent overlapping of styles that took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Turina clearly went smaller for this single-movement concerto, almost going for an early Mozart approach (IMHO).