Enrique Granados [1867-1916]

[Franco_Manitobain]

The orchestrations by Rafael Ferrer are not really discussed in the booklet (nor is Ferrer, but Google tells me he was a violinist and sometime conductor who conducted some Spanish performances at the Eurovision Song Contest). To me they are charming and effective but not really essential - lots of percussion inserted to try to get the excitement level up. Brotons was not really in a hurry conducting (58:30; three minutes slower than de Larrocha's solo piano version on Decca and 6 minutes slower than Heisser's).

There are orchestrations of three of the dances, arranged and conducted by Igor Markevitch, in the Eloquence Big Box (available for download purchase separately). They're conducted with so much panache and energy I wish he had done the complete set. You can compare samples of him and Brotons in No. 9 and hear a big difference.
(EDIT: DBK beat me to it while I was typing!)

I love this music in many guises - my favorite Granados (call me simple but it's true  ). Did you buy the Barrueco box or was that JBS only? Because it looks like that has a two-guitar version. I love Stephen Marchionda's MDG guitar recital with 9 of the 12 dances, and Heisser's piano recording, still available in a $20 bargain box with a bunch of other fantastic performances.

No, I didn't buy the Barrueco box set..  I was indeed looking at the Stephen Marchionda MDG guitar recital of the 9 dances.  It was on the wishlist, then I removed it.  Looks like I should add it back then.   

[Brian]

JBS told me the Barrueco box was a good deal at $30ish, with excellent playing, but has lots of core repertoire. That might suit me just fine.    I'll re-listen to the Marchionda this afternoon.

[Franco_Manitobain]

JBS told me the Barrueco box was a good deal at $30ish, with excellent playing, but has lots of core repertoire. That might suit me just fine.    I'll re-listen to the Marchionda this afternoon.

The thing that kept me from the Barrueco box were The Beatles transcriptions, but I guess that is just a minor irritant that I could just overlook.

[Brian]

Yeah, Brouwer is a "real" and great composer so his might be OK (his "Beatlerianas" for guitar and string quartet aren't bad), but the others...

I knew I was forgetting someone! Just pulled Marchionda off my shelf and right next to it is a Telarc album with Angel and Celedonio Romero playing the 12 dances in a two-guitar duet version. It is lovely. Rather leisurely, and I think Celedonio's technique was waning so they arranged it for his son to do most of the work, but the finished product is lovely. Unfortunately since Telarc is gone, used copies are the way to go.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Not for everybody, but some people will definitely like them.

[ritter]

All this talk of Granados led me to finally pull the trigger on this 2 CD set of his complete songs (and today the price on Amazon.es was half of what it was some weeks ago):



I know the Tonadillas (the sublimely melancholic El majo olvidado —which uses material of Los requiebros from Goyescas— is one of my favourite songs by anyone) and the Canciones amatorias, but the rest will be new to me.

[Biffo]

All this talk of Granados led me to finally pull the trigger on this 2 CD set of his complete songs (and today the price on Amazon.es was half of what it was some weeks ago):



I know the Tonadillas (the sublimely melancholic El majo olvidado —which uses material of Los requiebros from Goyescas— is one of my favourite songs by anyone) and the Canciones amatorias, but the rest will be new to me.

I have some of these songs sung by Montserrat Caballé but with orchestral accompaniment. Your impetuous enthusiasm has prompted me to follow your example; the order should arrive tomorrow.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Enjoying the old style playing of Amparo Iturbi this week.

[Mandryka]

Iturbi's good. Try his Mozart sonatas too.

[ritter]

Iturbi's good. Try his Mozart sonatas too.

This Iturbi is Amparo, sister of the better known José (who I believe is the one you meant).

Good evening, Mandryka.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Iturbi's good. Try his Mozart sonatas too.

What's your (and other members) opinion of Goyescas by Joaquin Achucarro? No diplomatic response please.

[Mandryka]

What's your (and other members) opinion of Goyescas by Joaquin Achucarro? No diplomatic response please.

He makes me yearn for Block

[Mandryka]

Have you heard Eduardo del Pueyo?

I think that Goyescas is quite « difficult » music, because the textures are complex quite often - simultaneous independent voices. Del Pueyo seems to really get that, and have a feel for polyphony. And at the same time what he does is quite heartfelt and intimate. I think it's a revelation.

It's a shame that Ohlsson's isn't streaming, I don't want to actually part with money to hear it!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Have you heard Eduardo del Pueyo?

I think that Goyescas is quite « difficult » music, because the textures are complex quite often - simultaneous independent voices. Del Pueyo seems to really get that, and have a feel for polyphony. And at the same time what he does is quite heartfelt and intimate. I think it's a revelation.

It's a shame that Ohlsson's isn't streaming, I don't want to actually part with money to hear it!

To me, the music of Granados is difficult and multifaceted. I never know if its dark or sunny. I tend to like a sharp, fandango-like rhythm, as well as implied rhythm, in Goyescas. I thought that Pueyo was a little round/European but I will re-listen. I like Goyescas by Larrocha in the 1950s, but I'm not sure if you like it. Also I will probably purchase Emili Brugalla after returning to my home next month. Plus I'm looking for Rena Kyriakou from Vox though I don't know if its good or not.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

He makes me yearn for Block

As for the Block, the producer is much younger than the artist. Different nationalities and different generations. Interesting connection/camaraderie. (I like it.)

[Mandryka]

https://soundcloud.com/teresaescandon/goyescas-los-requiebros/albums

Teresa Escandon,Goyescas. Cuban pianist. Close to Bolet. No vulgarity. Lots of humanity. It's a goodie. Streaming widely - including that soundcloud.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

https://soundcloud.com/teresaescandon/goyescas-los-requiebros/albums

Teresa Escandon,Goyescas. Cuban pianist. Close to Bolet. No vulgarity. Lots of humanity. It's a goodie. Streaming widely - including that soundcloud.

Excellent. Nice spacing. You can hear rhythms in the space.

I checked and didn't like the Brugalla much.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

https://hisakohiseki.es/en/bio/recomendaciones

Hisako Hiseki played the Hatto Granados - so it is excellent, obvs.

Thank you for mentioning Hiseki. Of course I didn't know about her until I read your post.    Nice recording. It appears that she's a student of Larrocha. As you can guess, there are several Japanese pianists who studied with Larrocha. Shimoyama is one of them and plays OK. A middle of the road performance without sacrificing the nativeness.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Goyescas by Rosa Sabater. A little Frenchified, champagne piano. Also I'm posting her Albeniz as well.

[Atriod]

Here is another interesting pianist, she claims to have studied with Alicia de Larrocha:



I am taking a break from Goyescas for a while, I nearly wore it out listening to Kun-Woo Paik.