Concert catalanesc, for tenora and orchestra (Piano red.)

Fluït i lleuger (Flowing and agile)

Lent evocador (Slow and evocative)

Temps de sardana (In “sardana” tempo)

This work was written during the winter of 2006 and was commissioned by the Federació Sardanista de Catalunya. The sound and expressive possibilities of the tenora have always captivated me. As a catalan, I confess that when I hear a melody played by the tenora I get goose-pimples, and something stirs deep within me that reminds me of my identity.

Associated with the cobla, the tenora has had little opportunity to develop as an autonomous instrument. However, due to technical improvements, its presence in music conservatoires, and the work of notable performers, it now has a more optimistic future.

I have written this concerto with the idea of composing a genuinely catalan piece, particularly using popular melodies and songs known by many Catalan people. It is basically a tonal, fresh, and emotive piece that any Catalan can identify with. The sound of the tenora has led me to combine popular melodies and to write an open, cheerful and intense concerto.

The concerto is conceived in three movements. The first movement, Fluït i lleuger (Flowing and agile), plays with three popular melodies Mariagneta, La filla del marxant and Muntanyes regalades which are presented and then developed. A powerful orchestra tutti is achieved in the central part and a modified re-exposition leads to a sparkling coda.

The Lent evocador (Slow and evocative) has a more magic and soft ambience. L’hereu Riera is used as an introduction to the principal theme, based on the pretty melody La filla del carmesí. Later, the song El Rossinyol is presented and immediately combined with L’hereu Riera. After a sonorous culmination, the music fades into the initial relaxed ambience.

The last movement has as a central nucleus, a sardana without repetition, opening with an introduction and closing with a broad Coda. At the beginning of the movement, the tenora presents the song L’emigrant accompanied by the harp. It is followed by a Cadenza by the soloist commenting on the song which culminates with the orchestral entrance with the Sardana. The most intense moment of the piece is achieved at the end of the Coda. Starting from a distant ambiance with the violins with tremolo, the tenora hints at El cant de la senyera. The music grows and reaches its culmination with L’emigrant in the strings and tenora, combined with Els segadors (the Catalan national hymn) in the brass, weaving an end of tremendous national exaltation.

(Salvador Brotons)