Part 3: Alicia de Larrocha, Nights in the Gardens of Spain, RIP (Descansa en paz):

The legendary Spanish pianist, Alicia de Larrocha, died on 26 Sept. 2009 at age 86. Descansa en paz, Alicia.




Alicia de Larrocha was filmed at the Alhambra by Larry Weinstein and Nev Fichman in the late 1980s.

Nights in the Gardens of Spain, Manuel de Falla, Part 3
Symphonic impressions for piano and orchestra.

1. In the Generalife

2. Distant dance

3. In the Gardens of the Sierra de Córdoba

Alicia de Larrocha, piano

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
Charles Dutoit, conductor

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• Category

  Music

[mahergad1]

Very great work

[Jason Jacob]

I feel this piece is vastly underrated as a piano concerto. I rarely ever see it included in concert programs (at least here in the states). De Falla was an amazing orchestrater (and composer). The piano never feels intrusive in this work like in so many concerti where it feels like a battle between piano and orchestra; instead its completely at one with all the other instruments.

[philip rostek]

She was so great.

[zharrisr]

The music flows from her hands as the waters flow from the fountains of the Calat Alhambra

I can hear the water

Its sublime

[Sam Ghalyoun]

This music is beautiful, it gets better the more I listen to it, in it I see the elated spirits of the old rising from long sleep and waking up again to exult in rapture, I feel a story here, the language of senses is far subtler than strumming of strings, to see what I am saying just look at Alicia’s face and see the impressions reflecting on it, she is at this instance discerning and sensing Manuel’s recorded perception in his notes, I can’t get enough listening to this piece.

[lisilisin]

I beg you pardon?? Did I read it correctly? I'm afraid that you have a serious hearing problem. How can you say that there is no melodic theme in this composition !!!!!!

[Alan Maher]

as regards the comments on themes, I think that De Falla is building on decorative elements in a similar manner to the designers of the gardens (not an original observation on my part)

[Serena Rose]

Wonderful, she was so amazing!!!! The orchestra is great too. Thanks.

[luzsorial]

Magnificent!

Thank you.

Luz

[MyEdsan]