Study of Catalan Composer Federico Mompous (1893-1987) Msica Callada

Description

This study examines Mompous Msica Callada within the context of musical, literary, and philosophical influences. Mompous piano miniatures reflect the concentrated expression of his primitivista philosophy. Mompou thought his ideals of concentrated expression were best realized in the four volumes of Msica Callada (1959-1967). The title for Msica Callada , loosely translated as Silent Music, is taken from Cntico Espiritual entre el alma y Cristo, su esposo, by the great Spanish mystic and poet, St. John of the Cross. The study addresses interpretive issues in each of the works 28 pieces, and considers recorded performances of the work by Herbert Henck, Joseph Colom and Mompou himself. This is a scholarly thesis with an unusual amount of musical analysis. It integrates in detail the influence of other composers. This book should be invaluable for any study of Mompous work. Nothing of its depth is in publication. . . . Each composition of the Msica Callada is described in infinite detail with the most lucid discussion in the most difficult and hermetic section, the fourth book or Mompous favorite. It is the most austere and in many ways climactic. . . . does show remarkable piano literature, rich in sonority, vivid in historical reminiscence and inventive within small but beautiful measure of music. Virginia Raad