Falla: El sombrero de tres picos (The Three-Cornered Hat)

Igor Markevitch personified the modern conductor during the post-war years. For him, the most important aspects of performance were rhythmic precision, a transparent orchestral sound and a formal balance. He thus frequently managed to present works in a new perspective. In the present recordings with the RIAS Symphony Orchestra made in the 1950s, Schubert's Third Symphony is presented in a vibrant and elegant interpretation whilst the Ballet Suites by Roussel and de Falla are depicted with radiant colours and fascinating verve. Markevitch, born in Kiev, demonstrates his special affinity with Russian repertoire in his own orchestration of Mussorgsky songs which he performed with the Latvian soprano Mascia Predit in Berlin.

You are no doubt familiar with his ballet “The Three-Cornered Hat”, but do you know Manuel de Falla’s “Fuego fatuo”. This comic opera is very rarely performed, but thanks to the symphonic adaptation that conductor Antoni Ros Marbà made in 1976 this is sure to change! Claves is pleased to present the first recording of this beautiful suite as performed by its arranger at the head of the Galicia Royal Philharmonic. The music is based completely on themes by Chopin, whose music de Falla revered and adored since childhood. It is preceded on this recording by the first and second symphonic suites taken from “The Three-Cornered Hat”. This recording marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with the orchestra from Galicia, one of the leading ensembles in Spain.