CONCERT PROGRAM
Mirando
al Sur
A special tribute to Manuel de Falla — on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his birth and the 80th of his death (1876–1946) — and to the Spanish composers of the early 20th century.
A vibrant soundscape full of passion, identity, and soul inspired by the rhythms and colors of Spain.
Mirando al Sur is a tribute to Manuel de Falla — an iconic figure of 20th-century Spanish music — marking the 150th anniversary of his birth and 80 years since his death (1876–1946). At the same time, the program celebrates a musical movement in which early 20th-century Spanish composers sought to define a distinctive artistic identity — as a response to the dominance of Central European Romanticism.
This artistic “turn to the South” was more than just a geographic shift. It reflected a cultural and intellectual search for authenticity, for a voice rooted in Spain’s own rich heritage. Drawing from a mosaic of influences — Islamic, Jewish, Latin traditions, the soul of flamenco, regional folk music from across the Iberian Peninsula, and echoes of ancient forms — these composers created a bold new musical language. The works of Isaac Albéniz, Joaquín Turina, and Manuel de Falla represent some of the most powerful expressions of this vision.
The first half of the program centers on Albéniz and Turina, whose music often evokes specific places — but beneath those geographic references lie universal emotions and archetypes of character and spirit.
The second half features the (nearly) complete arrangement of El Amor Brujo, the groundbreaking ballet by Manuel de Falla. This piece dives deep into the emotional landscape of Andalusia. In this new setting for guitar quartet, the instrument — so central to Andalusian culture — brings a fresh immediacy and a vivid new sound to the music.
Mirando al Sur spans a wide stylistic arc: from its introduction with music by the Spanish 16th-century master Antonio de Cabezón, to the classical modern era, offering a rich and multilayered portrait of the Spanish musical soul.
But this program is more than just repertoire. It’s shaped by the deep personal and artistic connection between the four musicians. Their interpretation grows out of over twenty years of friendship, shared European and Latin American roots, and a spirit of creative openness. The result is a performance that is passionate, colorful, and profoundly human.
A program for those who seek musical authenticity, emotional depth, and the vibrant soundscape of the South.
