Joaquín Turina; José Luis Turina - Music for Wind Quintet (Azahar Ensemble)

Information

• (01) Joaquín Turina - Sevilla, Op. 2 (arr. José Luis Turina)
• (04) Joaquín Turina - La Oración del Torero, Op. 34 (arr. José Luis Turina)
• (05) Joaquín Turina - Danzas Gitanas, Op. 55 (arr. José Luis Turina)
• (10) Joaquín Turina - Mujeres Españolas, Op. 73 (arr. José Luis Turina)
• (15) José Luis Turina - Variaciones sobre temas de Turina

Azahar Ensemble

Frederic Sánchez Muñoz, flute

María Alba Carmona Tobella, oboe

Miquel Ramos Salvadó, clarinet

Antonio Lagares Abeal, horn

María José García Zamora, bassoon

Date: 2018

Label: Profil

https://haensslerprofil.de/shop/kammermusik-instrumental/turina-x-turina-music-for-wind-quintet/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Review

This is a debut album from Spanish-based wind quintet Azahar Ensemble. The album contains four works in arrangements for wind quintet which were originally written by the famous Spanish composer Joaquín Turina; it was the composer’s grandson José Luis Turina who arranged these scores for wind quintet. Also included is one of José Luis Turina’s own works, originally for piano four hands, based on themes from his grandfather’s works, that he has arranged for wind quintet. Joaquín Turina is famous for his evocations of Spanish everyday life and heritage especially that of Andalusia and this collection in its guise for wind quintet is given a marvellous performance by Azahar Ensemble.

The opening work Sevilla, Op. 2, made up of three pieces, was originally written by Turina for solo piano in 1908. Said to be his first Andalusian inspired work it’s an early work composed whilst in Paris where he had studied under Vincent d’Indy. Inspired by an afternoon of bullfighting in Madrid, La Oración del Torero (The bullfighter’s prayer), Op. 34 from 1925 was originally composed for ‘Laúd’ Quartet which are lutes used in Spanish folk music. From 1930 the Danzas Gitanas, Op. 55 for solo piano were inspired by gypsy life in Granada and intended to represent moods, traditional music and dance rather than specific places. Fifteen years after his first set of Mujeres Españolas (Spanish Women) for solo paino, Turina completed his second series Op. 73 in 1932 which are miniature tone pictures of Spanish women. A prolific composer, Turina’s grandson José Luis Turina is included here with his Variaciones sobre temas de Turina. Originally scored for piano four hands here is his 2015 wind quintet arrangement that he prepared for Azahar Ensemble.

Founded in 2010 and taking its name from Azahares “the Fragrances of love songs and orange blossoms” the Azahar Ensemble excel in these Turina scores. From start to finish the wind playing of each work is out of the top-drawer. Especially noticeable is the level of commitment and immediacy given to these scores with playing of considerable style that produces warm and vivid tone colours.

Also most enjoyable, José Luis Turina’s Variaciones sobre temas de Turina is a fine work close to the soundworld of his grandfather Joaquín, being steeped in Spanish atmosphere and heritage.

Successfully recorded at Ölberg-Kirche, Berlin the sound engineers have provided clarity and pleasing balance. The booklet essay is reasonably helpful but additional information on each work wouldn’t have gone amiss. In this appealing release Turina x Turina the Azahar Ensemble excel with these wind quintet arrangements of works by renowned Spanish composer Joaquín Turina.

-- Michael Cookson, MusicWeb International

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joaquín Turina (9 December 1882 – 14 January 1949) was a Spanish composer of classical music. He was born in Seville, then lived in Paris (1905-14) where he took composition lessons from Vincent d'Indy and studied the piano under Moritz Moszkowski. Along with Manuel de Falla, he returned to Madrid in 1914, working as a composer, teacher and critic. His works include the operas Margot (1914) and Jardín de Oriente (1923), the Danzas fantásticas (1919), La oración del torero, chamber music, piano works, guitar pieces and songs. Much of his work shows the influence of traditional Andalusian music.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaqu%C3%ADn_Turina

***

José Luis Turina (born 1952, in Madrid) is a Spanish composer, grandson of Joaquín Turina. He studied composition at the conservatories of Barcelona and Madrid, then with Franco Donatoni at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia. Teacher of Harmony in the Conservatories of Cuenca and Madrid since 1981, in 1993 he was designated technical advisor of the Ministry for Education and Science. In February 2001 he was appointed Artistic Director of the Spanish National Youth Orchestra, position he held until his retirement in March 2020, and from 2004 until 2015 he was the President of the Spanish Association of Youth Orchestras.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Luis_Turina

https://www.joseluisturina.com/

***

Founded in 2010, Azahar Ensemble studied with Sergio Azzolini in Hochschule für Musik in Basilea, thanks to a scholarship granted by BBVA Foundation and the Spanish National Youth Orchestra, of which they were members at the time. After winning 2nd prize at the 63rd ARD International Music Competition in Munich, the ensemble started an international career that has taken them to many prestigious concert halls across Europe. The ensemble has recorded for Bayerischer Rundfunk, SWR, Deutschland Radio Kultur, Radio Clásica España, SRF2, France Musique and Catalunya música.

http://www.azaharensemble.com/en/home

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAC, tracks

Links in comment

Enjoy!