Manuel Ponce - Complete Guitar Music (Gérard Abiton)

Information

Composer: Manuel Ponce

CD1

• Sonatina meridional
• Sonata III
• Sonata mexicana
• 24 Preludios

CD2

• Suite antigua (in the style of A. Scarlatti)
• Suite in A minor (in the style of S.L. Weise)
• Preludio y Balleto (in the style of S.L. Weise)
• Sonata clásica (Homage to Fernando Sor)
• Sonata romántica (Homage to Franz Schubert)

CD3

• Diferencias sobre la folia de España y fuga
• Tema variado y final
• Variaciones sobre un tema de Antonio de Cabezón
• Vespertina
• Matinal
• Trópico
• Vals
• Postludio
• Tres Canciones populares mexicanas
• Scherzino mexicano
• Estrellita

CD4

• Concierto del Sur for guitar and orchestra
• Sonata for guitar and harpsichord
• Preludio for guitar and harpsichord

Gérard Abiton, guitar

Ensemble Orchestral Stringendo

Jean Thorel, conductor

Béatrice Martin, harpsichord

Compilation: 2014

Label: Brilliant

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Description

The magic and mystery of Mexico make a welcome return on this recording, as the expert skills of Gérard Abiton explore Manuel Ponce’s complete works for guitar. There is a wealth of treasures to be enjoyed here, as Ponce’s vast career led him to explore a number of different styles. His time in Paris exerted a French influence on his music, heard in the wonderfully lyrical song-without-words motif in the second movement of his Sonata III. The folklike passage that follows it, alongside a daring counter-melody, are brought together in a joyous conclusion in the Sonata’s last movement, cleverly evoking a popular theme. But it is in the Tres Canciones populares mexicanas that the listener is musically transported to Central America, and Ponce’s beloved homeland. The composer’s tender nature is beautifully expressed in these three lyrical works, as, along with the Scherzino mexicano, he strives to create a testament to his Mexican roots.

Gérard Abiton, an ‘exceptional and talented’ French guitarist (Guitare Classique), is a magnificent performer of Ponce’s works. His elegant rendition succeeds in convincingly expressing the composer’s tender emotion, paying homage to Ponce’s diverse influences and never straying far from his cherished Mexican origins. Described as ‘one of the best guitarists in the world’ (Liberation) and a ‘leading light in the profession’ (Le pays), Abiton’s understanding of Ponce has led him to be regularly invited to play his works in Mexico. Joined by harpsichordist Beatrice Martin, whose assured touch is the perfect accompaniment to the Concierto del Sur and Sonata for guitar and harpsichord, as well as Jean Thorel’s professional conducting, this CD is sure to delight fans of guitar music looking to relax and unwind.

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Manuel Ponce (8 December 1882 – 24 April 1948) was a Mexican composer. After early studies in Mexico, he trained in Italy and Germany before returning to teach at the National Conservatory. Ponce bridged classical music with Mexican folk traditions, promoting national identity through works that blended popular melodies and classical forms. His 1912 piece Estrellita became an international success, helping earn him the title "Creator of the Modern Mexican Song". He also made major contributions to guitar repertoire, notably with Variations and Fugue on La Folia and Sonatina Meridional.

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Gérard Abiton (born 1954) is a French classical guitarist trained at the Conservatoire de Paris in Alexandre Lagoya's class. Winner of the 37th International Competition for Musical Performers in Geneva in 1981 and laureate of the Georges Cziffra Association in 1983, he has built an international career as performer and pedagogue. Abiton has taught at leading French conservatories, including Rennes, Orléans, and the Paris Regional Conservatory. A frequent jury member at major international guitar competitions, he gives masterclasses worldwide and performs regularly as a soloist and with orchestras.

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