España plus ultra

Janez Gregorič guitar solo

España plus ultra CD order

Audio Samples (MP3):

España plus ultra is the motto of a CD that brings Spanish music from various ages together with contemporary pieces that not only make clear reference to the traditional music but also draw their inspiration from it. Spanish music and more offers the listener fresh, stimulating insight into the multifaceted world of the guitar.

Spanish repertoire for solo guitar is full of well-known and popular compositions that appear frequently on CDs and in concert programs. Using this as a starting point, this CD features an imaginary concert, in which typical Spanish repertoire pieces meet new compositions.

The first work brings together two important composers, separated by four centuries: In his Suite de Antiguas Danzas Españolas, Abel Carlevaro elaborates on selected themes by Gaspar Sanz, taking a twentieth-century approach to the Spanish baroque style.

Federico Moreno Torroba's Sonatina in three movements (Allegretto, Andante and Allegro), a highlight in the guitar repertoire, is followed by a musical triptych: Variations on Folia de España by Fernando Sor and Mauro Giuliani and my own composition Granada 2004, which I wrote in 2004 during the art project Granatapfel. The idea of this piece is to contrast the pomegranate as an appetizing fruit with the menacing image of a grenade. It was composed in memory of the Madrid terror attack on March 11, 2004, and I dedicate it to the victims of this act of violence.

The concert continues with three works by Francisco Tárrega, the most important composer and guitarist of Spanish romanticism. Although his compositions Endecha, Capricho Árabe and Rosita are charmingly light and graceful, they follow the strict structure of a three-part romantic piece.

Janez Gregorič - España plus ultra

For the finale of this imaginary concert I play Cádiz (Saeta) from the Suite Española, Op.47 by Isaac Albéniz.

The program is rounded off musically by a two-part encore: First Lágrima by Francisco Tárrega and then in answer to this short piece Sonata.p.03 by Jovan Pesec.

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