I don't think this recent release has gotten any attention here so far: the Orquesta de Córdoba released a recording of Francisco Calés Pina's two symphonies, conducted by José Luis Temes.
Both symphonies (the first in A minor, the second in B flat) hail from 1912, and although they sound a bit old-fashioned for their time, they're quite tuneful. I would say they occupy the sound world of someone like Pedro Marques or De Lara (a military man, like Calés Pina), but more refined and grander both in concept and form. Quite a find, I think.
The recordings can be listened to on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8wOGwYmrdU&list=OLAK5uy_n2cwNHo_VPUst6uta2RUn9HLr8FMtgtqk) (posted by the label, don't worry) or Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/6JREijczh3ObBImp5idLsI?si=DNvI9LxXTUyVx48pudY9Gw&dl_branch=1).
Well,I live in Spain, and had no idea of this release. I like the music of Manrique de Lara and recently acquired that disc.. Not showing up on amazon.es as available to buy yet. Does anyone have detailed buying information,please?
The orchestra's website doesn't list it in their discography, either, so my suspicion is that this is a digital-only release. The YouTube video refers to CDBaby, which is a self-publication service - kind of a Lulu.com for music.
These two symphonies are completely new to me too, but sound promising judging by some Spotify sampling I've just indulged in. I think I'll invest, thanks for the tip Ilja.
Wow, sound really good..Will put him in my list.. Thank you!! Never head of him.. Very promising
This website (http://www.historiadelasinfonia.es/naciones/la-sinfonia-en-espana/5-otros-compositores/cales/), with what authority I don't know, gives the date of the Second Symphony as 1915, and given the scale of the two works a three year gap between them does seem more likely.
Well, with Röntgen in mind anything's possible I guess, but I agree that this is more likely, especially from a musical amateur with other responsibilities.
A performance of the very enjoyable 2nd symphony has been up on Corentin Boissier's YT channel for 7 years - same conductor, different orchestra. If the 1st symphony is half as good this release is welcome indeed. Thank you for drawing attention to this, Ilja.
I have found mention of this release on some Spanish newspapers from the Aragon region (the composer was from Zaragoza) and they all mention a physical release on cd.
On the Heraldo there's even a picture (from the official presentation) with maestro Temes holding it in his hands.
They don't say where one can buy it, though..
PS I am listening to n.1..I guess one could say it's a little over febrile and over long in the manner typical of the symphonies from the period, but it's very very good.Think Schmidt 1 or 2 , without the decadence but with an almost cinematic Latin melodious richness... I find the slow movement ia thing of splendid beauty
The label is Cezanne Producciones but where and how to buy their recordings is not made clear, at least not to me, on their website (https://en.cezanneproducciones.com/sello-discografico). I have written to them to ask and am awaiting their reply.
Thanks. I'll be interested in their reply.
For what it´s worth, I would expect that trito.es would stock it if it had been commercially released yet. The label´s website would seem to be trying it out on Spotify.
Yes, I tried trito.es, but couldn't find it.
My expectation is that this was a very limited regional run, something like the city of Olten did with Munzinger's A major symphony. I'm just grateful it's on YT and Spotify.
I didn't know about the Munzinger symphony, thanks for mentioning this, I'll try and get hold of a copy.
The Cezanne CDs can be had from the label by using the contact button on their website (https://en.cezanneproducciones.com). Payment is via PayPal or money transfer, they cost 21 euros per CD including postage, at least to Switzerland. I have also ordered two CDs with works by female composers:
CZ039 María Rodrigo - Becqueriana
CZ069 María de Pablos - Las Obras Orquestales
I have filled in the form on their website, so we'll see what happens...
For Munzinger's Symphony in an enthusiastic, but rather provincial-sounding performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFj76KuPNdE
18 euros to post it to me in Spain, but only mention of Paypal, with which I have personal issues
But I´ve had a very speedy and helpful message from the recording company and bank transfer is confirmed as fine.
I made the purchase via PayPal (for 21 euros) and also had a speedy confirmation email from Javier Monteverde.
Ordered! very smooth and pleasant interaction with mr.Monteverde.
Very quick service, too. My two CDs arrived today (the other one being María de Pablos: Orchestral works).
My copy of Calés' two symphonies arrived this morning. Superb service!
...and, from a quick sampling of symphony No.1, this is clearly late-romantic, tuneful, Spanish, occasionally exotic-sounding stuff, rather heavily orchestrated in places, but excitingly so. Extremely enjoyable, in other words. Friends may find the music reminding them of film music and I wouldn't disagree. Respighi's a composer not far removed from Calés' idiom.
As I suspected, Symphony No.1 is extremely colourful throughout and almost cinematic in its sweep and intensity. Not exactly subtle, but it certainly grabs you. No.2 is more of the same.
Did Calés go on to write film music? He'd've been a natural.
The Spanish post has still not delivered my copy. As the Venetian Ambassador remarked: "If death came from Spain, we should live forever".
kind of a snide remark, if I were Spanish I think I would be slightly offended ....anyway, back to facts: I got mine this morning, it took 5 days, perfectly normal, especially with a weekend halfway through.
In general, my experiences with Royal Mail have been muuuch worse.....
My repetition of the late Venatian Ambassador´s remark may have rebounded on me. The CD is missing ,nine days after posting, and I have just reported that fact to Cezanne Producciones, and have already got a pleasant,concerned,reply.
I wouldn't be too concerned. I once ordered something from Spain (not a CD) and it took nearly 5 weeks to arrive after the supplier had informed me it had been despatched. It probably spent most of that time in Spain!
Mañana...
Sadly, Gareth, I live in Spain, but as an insurance policy arrived today after a month of being in the internal Spanish postal network, Cezanne and I are not despairing yet.
May I thank you, in passing, for being the driving-force behind the delightful CD recording of the Brull Violin Concerto, which gives me so much pleasure?
Pleased to report that the CD has emerged from the Spanish postal labyrinths which could have been constructed by that bureaucrat sans pareil, Philip II. And received a happy thumbs up from Cezanne.,
Excellent news!
This is highly-coloured and atmospheric music from someone who obviously knew his Massenet. Reference was made to hints of Respighi, whose music is a taste I have yet to acquire, so I tried listening to The Pines of Rome immediately after hearing the second symphony of Cales in case I might see some resemblance and rethink my disapprobation. I think I will stick to what I like, and fortunately these two symphonies are nether lush nor brash ,but attractive and cohesive. The label deserves every congratulation, as both symphonies are a real find.