Franz Schmitd

In June of 1922, a cultural fiesta took place on the grounds of Granada’s Alhambra palace, organized by Manuel de Falla and Federico García Lorca. The aim of the event was to preserve the ‘purity’ of flamenco art and the opening performance was given by 29-year-old guitarist Andrés Segovia. Ironically, Segovia played de Falla’s Hommage to Claude Debussy (featured on this album - a work which can hardly be described as pure flamenco. But this can be seen as symptomatic of an important trait in the music of 20th-century Spain: Certain composers defended what they believed to be a noble, gallant and Castilian ideal, while others embarked on an quest to restore the ‘lost purity’ of the peasantry, but embracing Modernism and Impressionism as stylistic tools in order to do so.

Following his exploration of Spain with the music of Federico Moreno Torroba (BIS-2725), Franz Halasz now takes us to Brazil with the complete works for solo guitar by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Following his exploration of Spain with the music of Federico Moreno Torroba (BIS-2725), Franz Halasz now takes us to Brazil with the complete works for solo guitar by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The music of this extremely prolific composer often combines the influences of European classical music with the popular and traditional music of his homeland, which he played from an early age. The twelve etudes, thoroughly modern, are to the guitar what Chopin's etudes are to the piano. Andres Segovia put it perfectly:

An avid chamber musician, Anne-Maria Hölscher regularly performs with various chamber music ensembles, contemporary music ensembles such as Ensemble Ascolta, Klangforum Heidelberg, Collegium Novum Zurich, and various orchestras. She also regularly performs solo concerts with a broad repertoire spanning the past five centuries.

An avid chamber musician, Anne-Maria Hölscher regularly performs with various chamber music ensembles, contemporary music ensembles such as Ensemble Ascolta, Klangforum Heidelberg, Collegium Novum Zurich, and various orchestras. She also regularly performs solo concerts with a broad repertoire spanning the past five centuries.

Agostino Steffani is one of the most remarkable figures of the European Baroque period. He was not only a composer, but also a priest and diplomat. He directed the Hanover Opera and influenced some of the most important musicians of his time with his work. This recording combines his Psalmodia vespertina (1674) with the posthumously published Stabat Mater. The psalms are notated for double choir and organ, but are presented here in a richer instrumentation with strings and wind instruments as well as alternations between solos and tutti.

Agostino Steffani is one of the most remarkable figures of the European Baroque period. He was not only a composer, but also a priest and diplomat. He directed the Hanover Opera and influenced some of the most important musicians of his time with his work. This recording combines his Psalmodia vespertina (1674) with the posthumously published Stabat Mater. The psalms are notated for double choir and organ, but are presented here in a richer instrumentation with strings and wind instruments as well as alternations between solos and tutti.

Following his exploration of Spain with the music of Federico Moreno Torroba (BIS-2725), Franz Halasz now takes us to Brazil with the complete works for solo guitar by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Following his exploration of Spain with the music of Federico Moreno Torroba (BIS-2725), Franz Halasz now takes us to Brazil with the complete works for solo guitar by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The music of this extremely prolific composer often combines the influences of European classical music with the popular and traditional music of his homeland, which he played from an early age. The twelve etudes, thoroughly modern, are to the guitar what Chopin's etudes are to the piano. Andres Segovia put it perfectly: