The Easter Festival has ended the 12th edition with the University Auditorium full of people in the closing concert of the contest with the Cantiga Choir, who has released his latest titled program: “Tribute to Mompou. Revisiting the Songs and Dances ”.
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A recognition of the work of Frederic Mompou by one of the most prestigious choral groups on the music scene. The choir has been conducted by Montserrat Meneses, with Carles Marigó, on the floor; Theresa Nogueron, al clarinet; and accompanied by Cristina Martí’s dance.
According to Jordi Armengol, artistic director of the Easter Festival, it is an “innovative concert proposal that proposes a dialogue between the Songs and Dances of Frederic Mompou and new choral harmonizations of Catalan folk songs specifically commissioned by the young composer Josep Ollé”.
According to Armengol, it is “a great commitment to the work of preserving the roots of our music, disseminate musical heritage and, while, giving voice to current Catalan composers to contribute
his personal vision ”.
Prior to the premiere of the Cantiga Choir, the Blancafort Morning took place, a day of concerts dedicated to disseminating and vindicating the work of Manuel Blancafort. We must remember that this year the Easter Festival wanted to pay tribute to the figures of Gaspar Cassadó and Manuel Blancafort on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of their birth..
The pianist Miquel Villalba could be heard during these morning concerts, at the Conservatory of Cervera, and the mezzo-soprano Anna Alàs, accompanied by an instrumental group, at the Municipal Auditorium.
The 12th edition of the Easter Festival: 6 concert days, 10 musical productions different, 14 concerts and various activities paral·leles
Cervera ends the 12th edition of the Easter Festival with a new success from the public and critics. High employment in all concerts and recognition by the music industry for the work done by the contest to vindicate, to spread, recover and promote Catalan classical music.
In total they have been 6 concert days, spread over almost two weeks, which have hosted a total of 10 musical productions - which have taken the form of 14 concerts- with several absolute premieres. Besides, the Festival continues to stimulate col·collaboration with other agents in the Catalan music sector and, year, The first co-production with the Pyrenees Early Music Festival has taken place (an absolute premiere in co-production with the Pyrenees Early Music Festival) with the recovery and premiere of “Visa Regalis” by Francesc Valls and a motet found in the Arxiu Comarcal de la Segarra.
In the first week, the event was inaugurated by the Julià Carbonell Orchestra and the premiere of the program “Cinc veus de la música orquestral catalana”. It could also be heard in concert, for the first time in Catalonia, Hirundo Maris' new album, entitled "Poetry and Music".
He also recovered, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, thanks to which you can enjoy two different concerts for just one, which aims to encourage young people to become interested in classical music. more 800 students from La Segarra and nearby counties enjoyed the play “Pere i el llop” with LleidArt Ensemble and the Barcelona Ballet.
In this second week, the Festival has enjoyed the Cosmos Quartet, one of the most prominent chamber formations of the moment; the premiere of Francesc Valls ’“ Missa Regalis ”and the tribute to Frederic Mompou by the Cantiga Choir.
Besides, Morning concerts dedicated to Gaspar Cassadó and Manuel Blancafort have also been scheduled. In the Morning Cassadó, the cello took part·pau codina list, who presented his new album, and the Trio da Vinci. And in the Matinal Blancafort, an absolute premiere in co-production with the Pyrenees Early Music Festival, and mezzo-soprano Anna Alàs, accompanied by an instrumental group.
The Easter Festival also wants to be a hub of knowledge, study and debate on Catalan classical music. For this reason, various parallel activities are organized each year·leles. This time, a conference was held “Manuel Blancafort: a musical itinerary ”by Xavier Calsamíglia and“ Gaspar Cassadó: a legacy that awaits ”with Gabrielle Kaufman.
The Festival has also hosted the exhibition “‘Victoria’ piano rolls: The star story·of a fleeting industry”.
The Easter Festival, organized by the Town Council of Cervera, is a meeting point for the sector of classical music in Catalonia and a showcase of classical music in Catalonia.