Halffter was a very important Spanish composer of the last century, but he called himself simply a pupil of Manuel de Falla. He began creating his piano pieces at age 13 and continued all his life (to 1989) – with influences of Scarlatti, the Spanish Renaissance, Stravinsky, Ravel and Les Six. The two short piano sonatas performed here are fascinating modern interpretations of Domenico Scarlatti. Some of the other works on the 30 tracks receive their first recording herewith.
Like Bernstein and others, Halffter wrote many short homages/impressions of various friends. Three of them are included here: to Turina, Mompou and to his brother Rodolfo. The original piano version of the ballet Sonatina is here recorded for the first time. The piano version – Suite de las Doncellas – was published in l929. The world of Scarlatti is evoked in the opening sections and again in the final Danza. The concluding Children’s Pieces are for two pianos. The works here in general demonstrate the charm of Halffter’s attractive style.
TrackList: Crepusculos, Marche joyeuse, Sonata per pianoforte, L’espaganolade, Gruss, Serenata a Dulcinea, Dos piezas cubanas, Preludio y danza, Llanto por Ricard Vines, Sonata “Homage a Domenico Scarlatti,” Nocturno otonal “Recordando a Chopin,” Homage to J. Turina, homage to F. Mompou, Homage to R. Halffter; Suite de las Doncellas, Valencia II – Pasodoble, Panaderos, Boleras de la Cachucha, Tres pizar infantiles.
– John Sunier
