The Musical World of the Artist
The Hispanic Society Museum & Library commemorates the great Spanish artist Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923) with a series of three concerts titled Joaquín Sorolla and his Vision de España—A Centennial Series: The Musical World of the Artist. The series presents a wide variety of different genres of music from his era as well as compositions which share inspiration with the painter´s greatest masterpieces. There series include two New York premieres: a recently recovered solo violin piece, Preludio by Pablo de Sarasate and Embrujo by Enrique Escudé-Cofiner for piano.
With many ties to the collection of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library this series highlights a time period in the cultural history of Spain in which intellectuals, painters, journalists, dance hall singers, flamenco dancers and bullfighters freely mingled, influenced and inspired each other. Sorolla’s friendships with great authors of the era, including Miguel de Unamuno, Antonio Machado and Emilia Pardo Bazán, inspired portraits of these and numerous other writers. Sorolla also maintained close ties to Spain’s leading cultural movements and intellectuals of the era.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and New York State Council on the Arts.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 19, 2023 – The Hispanic Society Museum & Library
Chamber Music and Readings From works By Writers Painted By Sorolla
Pre-Concert Lecture: 6:30 PM, Concert: 7 PM
Eva León, Violin
Thomas Mesa, Cello
Olga Vinokur, Piano
Kevin Gordon, Narrator
This conecrt focuses on portraits of some of the great authors painted by Sorolla: Miguel de Unamuno, Antonio Machado and Emilia Pardo Bazán as well as the founder of the Hispanic Society, Archer Huntington and will include readings in English translation of poems and extracts from novels by these authors. This chamber music program also includes compositions by Pau Casals, Tomás Bretón, Pablo de Sarasate and Enrique Granados. A special highlight will be the New York Premiere of the recently recovered Preludio for solo violin by Pablo de Sarasate.
April 27, 2023 – The Hispanic Society Museum & Library
Solo Piano and Spanish Classical Dance
Pre-Concert Lecture: 6:30 PM, Concert: 7 PM
Douglas Riva, Piano
Anna de la Paz, Spanish Classical Dancer
This concert highlights music related to one of Sorolla’s greatest masterpieces in the Hispanic Society collection, Visón de España (Vision of Spain). The program includes music composed and performed during the artists lifetime inspired by the regions of Spain depicted in this monumental masterpiece with works by Isaac Albéniz, Julian Bautista, Enrique Granados, Joaquín Turina, Pau Casals as well as the New York Premiere of Enrique Escudé-Cofiner’s Embrujo.
May 11, 2023 – The Hispanic Society Museum & Library
Theatrical Works for Voices and Dance
Pre-Concert Lecture: 6:30 PM, Concert: 7 PM
María Brea, Soprano
Anna Tonna, Mezzo Soprano
Gustavo Ahualli, Baritone
Anna de la Paz, Spanish Classical Dancer
Pablo Zinger, Piano
This concert explores the fascinating and flexible relationship that existed between serious and popular theatrical music for voice and dance, including opera, zarzuela, lieder and popular songs during the time of Sorolla both in Spain and New York. Also highlighted will be selections from a landmark work, The Land of Joy, which was recently recovered and was premiered at New York´s Park Theater in 1917, performed there over 100 times before an East Coast tour, as well as works from zarzuelas showcased at the Apollo and other theaters in city.
