From Spain to Latin America — Iceland Symphony Orchestra

Vibrant and vivacious music from Spain and Latin America

PROGRAMME
Isaac Albéniz: Four Movements from
Iberia (arr. Enrique F. Arbós)
Joaquín Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez
Mélanie Bonis: Les Gitanos, Spanish waltz
Alberto Ginastera: Estancia, ballet suite
José Pablo Moncayo: Huapango

CONDUCTOR
Carlos Miguel Prieto

SOLOIST
Rafael Aguirre

The warmth of southern climes prevails at this concert featuring music from Spain and Latin America. Isaac Albéniz, as one of Spain’s leading early-20th-century composers, immortalised his country in his elegant piano works, not least the demanding and magnificent Iberia, which evokes the towns and cities of Spain so eloquently. On the programme are four movements from Iberia in a marvellous orchestral version. Also on
the roster is Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, probably the most popular guitar concerto of all time, inspired by the palace at Aranjuez, south of
Madrid.

The latter half of the programme is devoted to works from Argentina and Mexico. Alberto Ginastera’s ballet Estancia contains some of the most invigorating music ever written, as does Mexican pianist-composer José Moncayo’s ebullient Huapango, named after the eponymous Mexican dance.

Spain’s Rafael Aguirre is one of the world’s most respected guitarists. He has been performing Rodrigo’s concerto on stage since he was 16, has won a number of international competitions, and has appeared in concert in 34 countries. Mexican conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto is also on familiar turf with this programme. Formerly the Chief Conductor of the Mexico City Philharmonic, he was named 2019 Conductor of the Year by Musical America magazine.

Further information on the concert can be found on the Iceland Symphony Orchestra website.