Joaquín Turina - Piano Works (Martin Jones)

Information

Composer: Joaquín Turina

CD1

• Cinco danzas gitanas (1a serie), Op. 55
• El castillo de Almodóvar, Op. 65: Poema. Ciclo pianístico, IV
• Sevilla. Suite pintoresca, Op. 2
• Tres danzas andaluzas, Op. 8

CD2

• Mujeres españolas (1a serie), Op. 17
• Mujeres españolas (2a serie), Op. 73
• Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Sonata pintoresca, Op. 24
• Álbum de viaje, Op. 15

CD3

• Sonata romántica, sobre un tema español, Op. 3
• Rincones sevillanos, Op. 5
• El barrio de Santa Cruz, Op. 33
• Sonata fantasía, Op. 59
• Fantasía italiana, Op. 75

CD4

• Danzas fantásticas, Op. 22
• Ritmos. Fantasía coreográfica, Op. 43
• Bailete. Suite de danzas del siglo XIX, Op. 79
• Rincón mágico, Desfile en forma de sonata, Op. 97
• Desde mi terraza. Estampas para piano, Op. 104

Martin Jones, piano

Date: 2020

Label: Nimbus

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Review

Martin Jones, one of Britain’s most highly-regarded pianists since first coming to international attention in 1968 when he received the Dame Myra Hess Award, offers a beautiful rendering of Spanish composer Joaquin Turina’s piano works, compiling an earlier recording from 1999 with some newer ones. These are miniatures that evoke dance rhythms of Spain. Cinco Danzas is especially well done, but there could be some small disagreements with interpretation. IV has a wonderful rhythmic feel, with evenness of playing. 'Fiesta’ has a sense of dynamic growth, with a constant ostinato-like rhythm. 'Danza Ritmica’ could have a quieter opening (it is marked pianissimo and lighter). To nitpick a little, the work could be a hair faster. Jones could aim for longer phrasing, especially in the running 16th notes that occur often. His range of sound is impressive. 'Seguriya’, marked allegro vivo, could be approached with a quicker pace. His use of the left hand articulation, slightly non legato, brings out the melodic line perfectly, and the work comes to a wonderful finish. The start of El Castillo de Almodovar is extremely beautiful, but I do wish for a more ominous and softer turn, as that movement is marked ppp. Still, besides these quibbles, this recording is a delight.

— Sang Woo Kang

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Joaquín Turina (9 December 1882 – 14 January 1949) was a Spanish composer. He pursued his early studies in Seville and Madrid before relocating to Paris in 1905, where he trained under Moritz Moszkowski and Vincent d'Indy. Influenced by Isaac Albéniz, Turina developed a distinctly Spanish idiom that combined Andalusian folk traditions with French impressionism. His music frequently pays homage to his native Seville, like in Sinfonía sevillana and Canto a Sevilla. Known for orchestral pieces such as Danzas fantásticas and La oración del torero, Turina also composed operas, songs, piano miniatures and chamber music.

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Martin Jones (born 4 February 1940 in Witney, England) is an English concert pianist. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and has been highly regarded since debuting in the international arena when he won the Dame Myra Hess Award in 1968. Jones has performed with various orchestras throughout the world, including the London Festival Orchestra, the Halle Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He was pianist-in-residence at University College, Cardiff, from 1971 to 1983. Jones is a prolific recording artist on the Nimbus Records label.

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