Joaquin Turina

Rapsodia Sinfonica (Op.66) was written in 1931 for Piano and String Orchestra. It is perhaps a little understated as a symphonic rhapsody with the focus very much on vibrant Iberian flourishes and individual melodies than on forming a thick harmonic texture making it a light and rather enjoyable work.Joaquin Turina (1882-1949) was a Spanish classical composer. Unlike his contemporaries such as Granados and Falla he wrote several chamber pieces many of which are still performed today. He studied in Paris with Ravel and Debussy whose influences can be heard throughout his works as well as influences from traditional Andalusian music.

The Danzas Fantasticas Fantastical Dances of Joaquin Turina are the composer?s best known work originally scored for Piano but Orchestrated by the composer and performed first in 1920 in their Orchestrated version. The work is full of exalted romantic melodies Iberian flourishes and exciting instrumental writing. The work quotes passages from the novel La Org a (The Orgy) by José Más at the beginning of each of the three movements. The movements are Exaltación a jota dance in 3/8 Ensueño (Dream) a zortziko in 5/8 and Org a a farruca all regional dances of Spain.Joaquin Turina is often contrasted with Albéniz and Granados those two proponents of a Spanish nationalstyle. Turina strove to write music of a European standard in the conventional major forms and it is possible to hear the influence of Turina?s years studying in Paris as well as his native Spain combined with the composer?s own unique Voice.