Joan Manen was an admired and prolific Catalan composer who wrote in all genres, from opera to transcriptions. He was also one of the leading violinists of his day and made the first recording of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Manen’s Violin Concerto No. 3 ‘Iberico’ is a brilliantly written and unashamedly Romantic work that exudes Iberian vitality without recourse to Hispanic effects. Cast on a huge scale, the Symphony No. 2 ‘Iberica’ calls for an exceptionally large orchestra, with music that is pastoral, Spanish-flavored and, at times, solemn.
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Reviews
Nominee in Assorted Programs Category
International Classical Music Awards 2021
"Extends our knowledge of Manen’s music in fine performances."
Jonathan Woolf – MusicWeb-International.com – 28 October 2020
“… both works are influenced by traditional music. With these recordings Naxos presents the world premiere recording of the two pieces. Ana Maria Valderrama succeeds in a passionate and virtuoso interpretation of the Violin Concerto from 1940. Her colourful and dazzling playing combines with the excellent symphony orchestra from Barcelona to make an attractive recording. Singapore born Darrell Ang (he won both the Besançon Conducting Competition and the Toscanini Competition), delivers a thrilling account of the Second Symphony … Darrell Ang gives it an incredibly intense and expressive performance. The virtuoso finale gains drama and power through powerful brass and wide violin themes. And so this post-Romantic symphony ends in full splendour.” *****
Remy Franck – Pizzicato.lu – 16 September 2020
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