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Mompou: Música callada - Josep Colom

Mompou: Música callada - Josep Colom

Eudora Records  EUD-SACD-2101

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Instrumental


Frederic Mompou: Música callada

Josep Colom (piano)
Cecillia Lavilla Berganza (soprano)

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Review by Adrian Quanjer - May 22, 2021

Eudora’s newest album features once more the Spanish piano celebrity, Josep Colom. This time in a series of 28 ‘Silent Music’ miniatures written between 1951 (1959) and 1967 by the emblematic Catalan composer, Frederic Mompou. Although this being a first in Super Audio it is not a first for Colom. He recorded it earlier as part of ‘Complete Piano Works’ for the Mandala label (Harmonia Mundi distribution) MAN 5021/24 RBCD.

The Música Callada, for which there is no correct translation in another language, is the perfection of silence in music that some may describe as ‘Zen’. In its simplicity, it shares some of a French friend’s minimalist approach, though at a completely different and incomparable spiritual level. Both Satie and Mompou are able to impress by using the simplest possible means. But for me, Satie is surrealistic minimalism, whereas Mompou’s Música Callada is poetry and philosophical meditation.

For this composition, inspiration was drawn from the writings of Castilian mystic, St John of the Cross. Reason to add to this recital ‘Cantar del Alma’, composed in 1951, equally based on the same writings, sung by the lyrical soprano Cecilia Berganza (Yes, Teresa’s daughter), in a fascinating declamation, as mystic as St. John of the Cross.

As a composer, Mompou may not be on everyone’s hit list. But it seems to me that this will change. All it needs is an interpreter who can convey his visionary compositions, often misunderstood in his time, with convincing creativity. Only then can one feel the power of its inspiration, a precious ingredient in a turbulent world in dire need of solace. Do take my word for it: In this kind of repertoire, Josep Colom is one of the best interpreters to go for, and not only for Mompou fans but also for all those new to this composer.

The liner notes are more of an essay, written by Adolf Pla, shedding lots of interesting details of Mompou and his intellectual visions.

And the sound? Need I say more than that Gonzalo Noqué always goes for the best and as natural as it is.

Blangy-le-Château, Normandy, France.

Copyright © 2021 Adrian Quanjer and HRAudio.net

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