Although not a guitarist himself, Federico Moreno-Torroba struck up a friendship with Andres Segovia in the 1920s, which in turn inspired several of his finest works such as the Sonatina (1924) and Piezas características (1931) are among his finest works.
Born in Madrid in 1891, Moreno Torroba was a major figure in Spanish music of the last century, flourishing in spite of the political and social upheavals that surrounded him. His music has been described as ‘castizo’, employing elements of folk and art music which are of a distinctly Spanish character. His works for the guitar above all others display a fidelity to Spain’s heritage, but his musical palette was not limited to strict folklorism, owing something to the music of Debussy, Ravel, Franck, Wagner and, in later years, Bartók. The Puertas de Madrid and the Suite Castellana translate the people and landscapes of Spain into evocative tone-poems, but there is a great deal of no less attractive, typically Spanish writing in apparently abstract works such as the collection of Eight Preludes. Like his long-lived contemporary Joaquin Rodrigo, Moreno-Torroba builds a bridge between landscape and soundscape.
The Sonatina is a modern classic of the guitar repertoire, but many pieces on this comprehensive collection are hardly known and currently unavailable in the record catalogues such as the four Rafagas on CD2, composed for guitar quartet. The collection closes with Moreno Torroba’s most extensive guitar work, the boldly formed and reflective Sonata-Fantasia, written in the tradition of similar works for piano by Chopin and Scriabin.
The Italian guitarist Angelo Colone has won particular acclaim for his performances and recordings of music by his countrymen such as Gilardino and Petrassi, but he is also an accomplished advocate for the works of Spanish and Latin American composers. Having recorded this unique collection between 2016 and 2019, he also contributes a booklet essay full of personal insight into the world of Moreno Torroba.
Federico Moreno-Torroba (1891-1982) was one of the leading musical figures of 20th century Spain. He was active as a composer, conductor, critic and successful impresario, and he was president of the “Societad general de autores españoles”.
Although Moreno-Torroba wrote in many musical genres he is mostly famous for his guitar works. His encounter and ultimate friendship with the great guitarist Andres Segovia inspired him to write a substantial oeuvre for the guitar, Spain’s national instrument.
Angelo Gilardino said of Moreno-Torroba’s works: “his music is largely inspired by the Spanish landscape, especially that of Castilia, he has created a bridge between landscape and soundscape”.
Performed with great warmth and feeling for the idiom by Angelo Colone, one of the leading Italian guitarists and student of the legendary Alirio Diaz.
