Presents
Fernando Remacha
Quartet for Violin, Viola, Cello and Piano
Fernando Remacha (1898-1984) was born in Spanish town of Tudela. At the Madrid Conservtory, he first studied violin and voice and then composition with the then prominet Spanish composer Conrado del Campo. In 1923, he won the Premio de Roma, a scholarship which allowed him to study in Rome with Gian Francisco Malipiero where he concentrated on works from the baroque era. Returning to Spain, in 1930, he became a member of the Grupo de Madrid also known as the Group of 8, which consisted of composers influenced by a similar group in France, Les Six. They opposed musical conservatism and were attracted to avant-garde developments. In 1933, Remacha won the Premio Nacional de Musica (the national music prize) for this piano quartet. He won the prize again in 1938 for a string quartet he had composed in 1924 while studying in Rome. Like all of the members of the Group of 8, Remacha was a supporter of the Republicans during the Spanish Civil war and as a result was forced to flee to France. After the war, he returned to Spain but was more or less compelled to abandon his previous ideas and live in silence. Eventually, he began to compose again, in an entirely different and more conservative style, in the 1950s and founded the Pablo Sarasate Conservatory in 1963.
When you listen to the substantial soundbites we have provided of this extraordinary piano quartet, you will understand why it won the Spanish National Prize for Music. Each movement is in a different key. The first movement is in B flat Major, the second in E flat Major and finale in C Major. The opening movement, Allegro moderato, features a short powerful, harsh, dissonant introduction which leads to a nervous section in which the string and piano alternate in presenting the thematic material. This in turn is interrupted by the return of the introduction. And then like flowers after a violent storm, a lovely melody appears. This is subsequently developed into a pounding march and this gives way to the return of the fetching floral theme. The middle movement, Andante, is a far cry from the stormy first movement. The main theme is mostly delicate, lyrical and somewhat sad. A second subject is almost funereal, however, there is always the hint of unrest. The pizzicato opening and whirling melody of the finale, Allegro vivo, has a French feel to it, sounding a bit like something a Les Six composer might have penned. For the most part, it is upbeat and full of energy.
This is an outstanding work. There is really nothing like it. Not a work for beginners, if brought into the concert hall, it will bring audiences to their feet. Highly recommended to professional ensembles.
Parts: $34.95
