Jesús Guridi (1886-1961)

[kyjo]

A work which bowled me over at first hearing, and still does, is the Sinfonia pirenaica (Symphony of the Pyrenees) of Basque composer Jesús Guridi, available on this Naxos CD:

[asin]B0007XHL16[/asin]

It really is a splendid work, full of unbridled joy and epic sweep akin to, yes, my beloved Braga Santos. (What is it with these Iberian composers?) Lasting 50 minutes, the symphony does not suffer from prolixity and is filled with delightful folksy melodies and luscious orchestration. It's also on YouTube: http://youtu.be/jCsoot6zvAc

There's a reason why it got 136 likes and no dislikes!

Guridi's music incorporates elements of late-romanticism, impressionism, and Basque folk music to produce a wonderfully life-affirming blend. Naxos and other labels have all done great services for his music. Of particular note among Guridi's other works are the gorgeous Ten Basque Melodies for orchestra, probably his most popular (least obscure, rather) work. Here's the links to some recordings of Guridi's music:

[asin]B00008ZZ2W[/asin]   [asin]B000FGGKG2[/asin]   [asin]B00CJD2VXA[/asin]   [asin]B0009SQC9Q[/asin]   [asin]B00004YYQY[/asin]   [asin] B0000069IN[/asin]   [asin]B00000DOC3[/asin]   [asin]B0000A4G5X[/asin]

Rob Barnett has given Guridi's music some very high marks:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2001/June01/Guridi.htm
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Nov03/Guridi_Basque.htm
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2001/Oct01/Guridi_Amaya.htm
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/Aug05/guridi_piano_8557633.htm

[Pessoa]

Nice you´ve opened a thread for Jesús Guridi. He deserves being more widely known 

[kyjo]

Nice you´ve opened a thread for Jesús Guridi. He deserves being more widely known 

Thanks for your reply! Do you have a favorite work of his?

[Pessoa]

Thanks for your reply! Do you have a favorite work of his?

I've heard most of his works on the radio. Apart from programs dedicatet to his music, it has been very usual to play short pieces of Spanish composers to fill in on tha National Classical Station. That is how I learn to like the Basque melodies, the piano pieces, excerpts from El caserío and Amaya... I like the  Basque melodies, the Sinfonía Alpina, the piano works and the string quartets, mainly. The  Ten Basque melodies are my favourite, the ones that attracyed me first and the ones I've listened to more often.

[kyjo]

I've heard most of his works on the radio. Apart from programs dedicatet to his music, it has been very usual to play short pieces of Spanish composers to fill in on tha National Classical Station. That is how I learn to like the Basque melodies, the piano pieces, excerpts from El caserío and Amaya... I like the  Basque melodies, the Sinfonía Alpina, the piano works and the string quartets, mainly. The  Ten Basque melodies are my favourite, the ones that attracyed me first and the ones I've listened to more often.

Thanks! Good to hear his music is given some exposure in Spain.

[Pessoa]

Thanks! Good to hear his music is given some exposure in Spain.

How did you get to him?

[kyjo]

How did you get to him?

Through the excellent CD recordings that I pictured above from Naxos and other labels.

[Pessoa]

Here some more recordings: