Falla: The Three-Cornered Hat / Nights in the Gardens of Spain / Seven Spanish Folksongs

This release is dedicated to the Spanish composer and pianist Manuel de Falla. It contains three late Romantic scores that capture the essence of Spain: "El sombrero de tres picos," "Noches en los jardines de España," and "Siete canciones populares españolas." Against the backdrop of the First World War, Falla achieved fame and recognition not only in Spain but as a composer with a growing international reputation. This status was confirmed when Sergei Diaghilev commissioned the ballet "El sombrero de tres picos" for the Ballets Russes, to be performed in London in 1919 with sets by Pablo Picasso. The ballet, like the novel by Pedro Antonio de Alarcón that inspired it, contains Spanish narratives evoking everyday village life, and Falla’s music is rich in allusions to traditional Spanish folk tunes. "Noches en los jardines de España" is a three-movement depiction of the sounds and sights of Falla's native Andalusia, which appear magical under the cover of darkness. After its premiere in Madrid in 1916, Falla himself was the soloist at the work's first performance in London in 1921. Both the lyrics and the melodies of "Siete canciones populares españolas" were traditional, although Falla's original arrangement for soprano and piano contributed much to the impact of these songs from different regions of Spain. This work is one of Falla’s most arranged compositions; the version orchestrated here is by Luciano Berio. This recording was performed by the Ulster Orchestra under the direction of its Principal Guest Conductor, Jac van Steen. The soloist for "Noches en los jardines de España" is the London-based Brazilian pianist Clélia Iruzun, who is undoubtedly one of the best pianists for South American and Iberian repertoire currently performing in Europe, and to whom several composers have dedicated works. The award-winning Irish mezzo-soprano Sarah Richmond makes her CD debut with "Siete canciones populares españolas."