Volodymyr Babaev

Most of the works by the two Catalan composers heard here – Joan Manén (1883–1971) and Marc Migó (b. 1993) – use material from their folk tradition, making the music fresh, immediate and direct, rather in the manner of Manuel de Falla. But there is also a loose connection with Vienna: Manén’s Violin ‘Concertino’ – an unusually modest label for a full-scale concerto – is something of a cousin to the Korngold Concerto; and Migó’s poignant Epitafi a Hans Rott was written in memory of a short-lived Austrian composer who was a close friend of Gustav Mahler.

Sony Classical is proud to present ‘Dvorák: Cello Concerto’ by OPUS Klassik award- winning cellist Raphaela Gromes, released on September 13 th on CD. Following the tremendous success of her album "Femmes" (2023), Raphaela Gromes releases a new album, "Dvorák: Cello Concerto", featuring one of the most renowned cello concertos alongside inspiring and moving pieces by Ukrainian composers. It was inspired by Gromes' visit to Kyiv in December 2023, where she performed the Dvorák Concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and its chief conductor Volodymyr Sirenko, to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.