This week, my students and I are exploring one of my favorite composers, Alberto Ginastera. He lived from 1916 - 1983.His musical output is extremely diverse, from ballet (Panambí and Estancia) to concerti, and from opera (Don Rodrigo, Bomarzo) to solo piano works (Danzas Argentinas, Suite de danzas criollas). Ginastera's compositional style incorporates folk elements, serialism, polytonality and cross rhythms.
One interesting tidbit: His second opera Bomarzo premiered in Washington in 1967, but was banned in Buenos Aires for its content and was not staged until 1972.
The following clip is of a piece I performed for my ARCT in Piano Performance, Danzas Argentinas. It was fun but boy, was III - Danza de le gaucho matero ever a doozy to learn!
Danzas Argentinas, op. 2I - Danza del viejo boyero (“Dance of the Old Herdsman”)II - Danza de la moza donosa (“Dance of the Beautiful Maiden”)III - Danza del gaucho matrero (“Dance of the Arrogant Cowboy”)
The performer is Italian pianist Roberto Plano. Career highlights include: First Prize Winner of the 2001 Cleveland International Piano Competition, Finalist at the Twelfth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (2005),Laureate of the 2003 Honens International Piano Competition and the 2006 Axa Dublin International Piano Competition.(c) 2010 by Musespeak(tm), Calgary, AB, Canada. All rights reserved.