The concert takes place on Tuesday, 20 April at 7:30 pm at the Chamber Hall. The tickets already sold out.

 

 

The Auditorio de Tenerife, a cultural space linked to the Department of Culture of Tenerife Island Council that is managed by the island’s Minister of Culture, Enrique Arriaga, offers a concert that pays tribute to the Spanish composer Enrique Granados (1867-1916). Next Tuesday, 20 April at 7:30 pm, the pianist Javier Negrín will perform the programme "Escenas románticas" (Romantic Scenes) at the Auditorium’s Chamber Hall. The tickets are already sold out.

The Tenerife-born musician pays tribute to the Spanish composer with this monographic recital. Considered as one of his most outstanding performers today, Negrín has played the complete Goyescas suite over 30 times all over the world. He is currently recording all Granados’ piano pieces for the American record label Odradek Records.

Granados' style combines Schumann's and Chopin's great romantic tradition with the so-called musical nationalism, a very important influence towards the end of the 19th century. Spanish classical and romantic periods held an irresistible attraction for Granados, who was especially influenced by Madrid cultural movements.

He admired Goya, the atmosphere of Madrid during the 18th century and the world of the tonadilla-popular song. The latter inspired his most brilliant compositions, including the Goyescas suite (1911- 1913), a true masterpiece of Spanish and universal pianism. During this recital, Negrín will also play the famous piece Quejas o la maja y el ruiseñor (The Maiden and the Nightingale), full of pain and melancholy, and El pelele (The straw man), a brilliant Goyaesque scene.

In 1904 and only a few years before composing the suite Goyescas, the author composed a far-reaching Spanish piano piece called Allegro de Concierto, which was a winning work during the Composition Competition organised by Tomás Bretón. His intention was to include it as part of the final year piano exams at the Madrid Conservatory. It is brilliant, difficult, moving and colourful. The romantic influence and its spirit of gallantry already show an incipient Goyaesque character.

The Valses Poéticos (Poetic Waltzes) is a youthful work that he composed during his stay in Paris (1886-1887). This delightful collection of seven short waltzes comprise a single piece that is influenced by the great Spanish Romanticism; it evokes elegance, great refinement and evidences his sublime musical composition skills. This composition shows an evident influence of Robert Schumann.

One of the most beautiful and passionate pieces written in 1904 by Granados, “Escenas románticas” (Romantic Scenes), gives name to this repertoire and will be its highlight. It is one of his most significant pieces, and it was frequently performed by the Catalan composer during his recitals; it allowed him to display his great expressiveness and extraordinary feeling.

It is not a coincidence that he dedicated this work to his pupil, María Oliveró. Granados composed the work inspired by the short affair he had with this young woman. Many scenes evoke tenderness, excitement and passion with no need to explain or confirm which inspiration gave rise to them. It is said that his wife, Amparo, knew what these Romantic Scenesmeant and forbade him to play them again. The piece truly reflects his extreme poetry and melodic inspiration that has remained for posterity.

The pianist Javier Negrín made his debut at London's Wigmore Hall in 2004. He has developed a solid career as a soloist and chamber musician thereafter and played in important European, American and Asian venues. Negrín was a prizewinner at the Royal College of Music in London, where he also obtained a Junior Fellowship. He has been honoured with many awards, including best performances of Schumann, Chopin, Brahms, Ravel and virtuoso studies. He has been mainly influenced by Yonty Solomon (a pupil of Myra Hess) and Armando Alfonso, son of the pianist Javier Alfonso, and more recently by Howard Shelley and Joaquín Achúcarro.

The audience is requested to arrive at the venue well in advance to enter the auditorium in staggered "waves".  The measures implemented by the cultural centre to combat COVID-19, such as the correct use of masks and the attendance to the event only with people you live with, are certified by AENOR and can be checked at the Auditorium’s website.