Memòries de Conxita Badia (Memories of Conxita Badia), for soprano and orchestra

This composition is based on four short songs by the legendary soprano Conxita Badia. Her great-granddaughter Mireia Domènech i Bonet sent them to me so that we could celebrate the 50th anniversary of her death in some way.

When I saw the quality of the melodies and the sweetness of the lyrics, I was suddenly fascinated by the idea of making a version for soprano and orchestra, tying the four melodies together with an appropriate arrangement.

I wanted to preserve the melodies intact and, for the most part, the same harmonies that Conxita had intended. As the melodies are so short, I thought the work would have greater unity if I found some small musical bridges to connect them all. Only with the last melody, the beautiful “T’estimo” (I love you), could I not resist the temptation to add ten bars of orchestral development, giving a more rounded finish to the song that closes the work.

The titles of the songs are: Cançó de bressol (Lullaby), Somriu amor (Smile my love), T’estimo tant (I love you so much), and T’estimo (I love you).

The orchestration includes two flutes (the second also playing the piccolo), two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two French horns, harp, timpani (also playing the Glockenspiel), and strings.

Salvador Brotons

Conxita Badia (Concepció Badia i Millàs) (14 November 1897 – 2 May 1975, Barcelona) was one of the most outstanding sopranos of the 20th century, performing classical and popular songs. A student of masters such as Enric Granados, Pau Casals and Manuel de Falla, she was also a pianist and singing teacher, able to convey the exceptional musicality and perfect diction that characterized her, including the renowned soprano Montserrat Caballé.

Badia is remembered for her dedication to the lied genre and for her interpretations of Catalan, Spanish, and Latin American songs. She premiered numerous works by contemporary composers with whom she collaborated in Barcelona, as well as during her exile in Paris and South America.