Elisenda Fábregas

Goyescas for flute, viola & piano (2009)

Year: 2009

Duration (in minutes): 19'39;

Difficulty: High (professional)

Category: mixed instrument ensemble, mixed instrument trio, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players

Instruments: any string, any woodwind, flute, piano, viola

Publisher: Hofmeister Musikverlag

Score PDF: iv._el_sueno_from_goyescas_score_sample-5.pdf

Text PDF: goyescas_goyas_illustrations-11.pdf

Description: Goyescas for fl, vla and piano is an arrangement of six short pieces originally commissioned and premiered by flutist Marina Piccinini and guitarist Emanuele Segre at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society on January 23, 2009. This arrangement was done for the Ensemble Gaudi.
I was inspired to write Goyescas to express musically my impressions of five paintings by Francisco Goya. Some pieces have a Spanish folk flavor imparted by mysterious harmonic and modal overtones while others have fiery dance rhythms and and infectious spirit that imbue this cycle with a special fire and vitality found in the music of the Spanish people. I especially enjoy spicing up my melodies with grace notes and the elaborate, intricate melismas (ornamental melodic embellishments) found in Flamenco music and other traditional folk music of Spain. I have blended these musical traditions with contemporary compositional techniques that meld these ancient forms into a poetic, lyrical and intimate personal musical language.
I. Pregón is a brilliant fanfare that echoes the brash trumpet calls (or pregones) that imperiously summoned villagers to important communal festivals. In this occasion they announce the arrival of the Royal family.
II. La familia de Carlos IV (the family of Charles IV) is inspired by a portrait of the majestic and noble royal family of Charles IV of Spain.
III. Las majas en el balcón (The maiden on the balcony) depicts two sultry ‘majas’ (maidens) flanked by two threatening ‘guadias civiles’ (Spanish police).
IV. El sueño (The dream) is Goya’s poetic, sensual and passionate depiction of a vulnerable and mysterious sleeping woman.
V. La Fragua (The foundry) is a grim, dark portrait of three men toiling at a blazing forge.
VI. Toque is a variation of the initial Pregón that announces the whimsical and playful ‘Gallina Ciega.’
VII. La gallina ciega (Blind men's bluff) is Goya’s humored, sunny depiction of a childhood game of “blind man’s bluff.”