BARGAIN OF THE MONTH
Joaquin TURINA (1882–1949)
Songs
Homenaje a Lope de Vega, Op. 90 [6:08]
1. I. Cuando tan hermosa os miro ... [2:08]
2. II. Si con mis deseos ... [1:51]
3. III. Al val de Fuente Ovejuna ... [2:09]
Poema en forma de canciones, Op. 19 [10:25]
4. I. Dedicatoria [2:34]
5. II. Nunca olvida ... [2:08]
6. III. Cantares [1:51]
7. IV. Los dos miedos [2:28]
8. V. Las locas por amor [1:24]
Dos canciones, Op. 38 [8:09]
9. I. Preámbulo – Lo mejor del amor [4:07]
10. II. Cunas [4:02]
Tres poemas, Op. 81 [7:26]
11. I. Olas gigantes [3:04]
12. II. Tu pupila es azul [2:10]
13. III. Besa el aura [2:12]
Tres sonetos, Op. 54 [6:20]
14. I. Anhelos [2:25]
15. II. ¡Vade retro! [1:57]
16. III. A unos ojos [1:58]
Tres arias, Op. 26 [12:41]
17. I. Romance [5:56]
18. II. El pescador [4:42]
19. III. Rima [2:03]
Vocalizaciones, Op. 74 [8:27]
20. Introducción [1:46]
21. II. Allegro moderato [0:53]
22. III. Allegretto [1:06]
23. Interludio. Quasi Andantino [0:38]
24. IV. Allegro vivo [0:50]
25. V. Adagio [1:42]
26. VI. Allegro [1:32]
Ave Maria, Op. 95 [2:43]
27. Andante [2:43]
Triptico, Op. 45 [9:12]
28. I. Farruca [3:02]
29. II. Il Cantilena [3:51]
30. III. Madrigal [2:19]
Carolina Ullrich (soprano), Débora Halász (piano)
rec. Studio I, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich, Germany, 9-12 June, 2009 (tr.
1-27), 3 October 2009 (tr. 28-30)
Available sung texts and translations in English and German can be accessed
at www.naxos.com/libretti/570707.htm
NAXOS 8.570707 [71:29] 
Albeniz, Granados, de Falla and Joaquín Turina belonged among the most important
and influential of Spanish composers during the first half of the 20th
century. Turina, he youngest of the four, produced works in most genres: orchestral,
chamber, piano, guitar, a couple of operas and quite a number of songs. Like
de Falla he went to Paris in the early 20th century and was influenced
by Debussy and Ravel. On returning to Spain he searched for his inspiration
amid traditional Andalusian music.
The songs on this disc span a period of more than ten years, from Poema
en forma de canciones and Tres arias, both appearing in 1923, to
Homenaje a Lope de Vega, arguably his best known work, which was composed
in 1935.
He changes little during this period – and why should he? He was past forty
in 1923 and had found his expressive means, so all of these songs were written
by a mature composer at the height of his powers. Generally speaking he strikes
a perfect balance between the vocal part and the piano line, which rather
than being mere accompaniment is often independent. He excels in preludes
and interludes that are real challenges for a great pianist. Listen to the
colourful and expressive piano part in Dos canciones, Op. 38 (tr. 9-10).
This is inspired and inspirational music and Débora Halász makes the most
of it.
The singer, Carolina Ullrich, is also an inspired choice for this recital.
Born in Chile she is now a permanent member of the Semper Opera in Dresden,
where she this season sings roles like Gretel and Zerlina. She has a bright
lyrical voice, slightly edgy at times but also with warm tone. She is a lively
and expressive singer. I can imagine her being a superb Zerlina.
Looking more specifically at the songs themselves, the opening Homenaje
a Lope de Vega were certainly inspired by the poems of one of the truly
great Spanish literary figures. The little trilogy must be counted among his
best works. The much earlier Poema en forma de canciones is just as
satisfying and the last of the five songs, Las locas por amor, struck
me as especially successful. That’s one of the songs I have marked with red
in my notes as an aide-memoire for returning to it – why not in order to introduce
someone to the world of Turina.
The last of the Tres poemas, Op. 81, Besa el aura is another
potential hit. I can’t withstand the temptation to quote the sensual poem:
The gentle breeze, softly murmuring, kisses
the placid waves, sending playful ripples across them;
the sun kisses the cloud in the west
and tinges it with purple and gold;
The flame slides around the burning log
to kiss another flame,
and even the willow, bending beneath its own weight,
to the river that kisses it, gives a kiss in return.
No wonder Turina penned one of his loveliest melodies to these words!
The Tres sonetos, Op. 54 are also inspired. Who can sit still while
listening to the dancing ¡Vade retro!? Wow! But the whole group is
really good. The Tres arias, Op. 26 are, naturally enough, on a somewhat
grander scale and once again Turina creates melodies that stick. Vocalizaciones
consists of some delicious miniatures, displaying differents aspects of the
abilities of the human voice when there is no need to articulate words. The
last of them is a coloratura show-piece. Technical accomplishment as well
as wide vocal range are also requirements for the concluding Triptico
but the most enduring song is the soft, transparent Ave Maria (tr.
20). It is like a feather – from God? – on which the singer breathes gently.
It responds by creating a kaleidoscope of pastel visions. A whispered breeze
directly from the Virgin Mary’s lips reaches the listener. Gems need not sparkle
but a gem it is, this unpretentious Ave Maria. I envy all of you who
have not yet experienced its enchantment. Those of you who are already under
the Turina spell won’t need any further sales promotion tricks from me to
invest in this super budget issue.
Göran Forsling
A whispered breeze directly from the Virgin Mary’s lips.