Ginastera: Cinco canciones populares argentinas Op. 10

With a Negro spiritual, spectacular bel canto, romantic song and comic opera, Lawrence Brownlee unveils the breadth of his repertoire and the lyric tenor voice that has won acclaim at the New York's Metropolitan Opera (for his 'agility, elegance and Rossinian style) and farther afield.

One of the most sought-after bel canto tenors on the international scene.

Includes songs by Duparc, Donizetti, Liszt (3 Petrach Sonnets), Rossini, Ginastera and American contemporary composer Ben Moore.

This CD combines songs that - in different ways - illustrate the lively back and forth between the influence of European traditions and that of Latin American folklore on the composition of art songs in Argentina and Mexico.

Ginastera himself wrote of the Sonata, Op. 49, one of his last works from his Neo-Expressionist period: “Strong rhythms, lyrical singing, and a mysterious atmosphere are, I think, the characteristics of this work consisting of four movements”.

Raúl Giménez presents a panorama of popular twentieth century songs by composers of his native Argentina. These songs have their roots in Argentinian folk-idioms and in the simple lyricism of country life, and most are written 'in popular style'. The fresh, rustic harmonies of Buchardo complement the strongly rhythmic elements reflecting popular dance rhythms which characterize the selections of Guastavino. This reverence for tradition is continued in the songs of Ginastera with their clear references to fast dance rhythms, but it is overlayed by a melodic inventiveness which is essentially modern.