Cantos a Asturias (2004)

This work is a travel notebook, featuring a journey through the essence of Asturian folklore. To the natural melodism of Asturian music, surviving through the Cancionero Musical de la Lírica Asturiana by musicologist Eduardo Martínez Torner, contemporary techniques are combined to produce a work that, through five paint strokes (¡Alsa, bayona!, Dime, paxarín parleru, Canción de Corro – Intermezzo, Añada, y La Geringosa – Finale) combines the past and present of the Asturian culture. All movements are designed in a strong organic character: harmonic technique and intervallic elements are shared throughout all five movements. In ¡Alsa, bayona!, a minor third motive is announced, which will pervade the whole work.

¡Alsa, bayona! is a Christmas carol with great rhythmic vivacity. The approach to Dime, paxarín parleru is different to previous versions of this melody. This time, the composer has decided to emphasize the strong ironic character of the text, which speaks of a man with jealousy, asking himself if his lover is being unfaithful, in a contradiction of sentiments of love and hate. This duality, like a split personality is represented by a progressive poly-tonality, which arrives to its most tense moment when the tenors pronounce the word “engañas” (lie). From here, and progressively, one of the personalities, represented by the key G minor –a key half-step higher than the original key, is settled with a clear tone of nostalgia.Canción de corro represents a feast day, where old and young people – represented by two popular melodies, dance around creating a great chaotic party. In Añada (Lullaby), night is the star. A mother, represented by a solo soprano tries to help her child sleep. Harmony becomes very static, with a very slow development of the counterpoint and color. Finally, inLa Geringosa presents a lighter view in the work. This last movement is constructed around as rhythm similar to the Italian tarantella. Different textures in the form of sound blocks are juxtaposed to create a very heterogeneous fabric, where we are all called to “hop, jump, and dance,” enjoying life in a very casual manner.