Manen, Gerhard, Montsalvatge – Works for Cello and Piano

At the beginning of the 20th century in Catalunya, several approaches to music lived side by side, some succeeding and overlapping each other: a German-influenced post-romanticism, of Wagnerian tradition; a Spanish nationalism, promoted by Felip Pedrell; and a “novecentist” style which sought to reconnect with the truest traditional roots, crystallizing into a language of great originality.

All these aesthetic approaches co-existed naturally and became entwined in the works of composers whose language was constantly evolving. Within this musical context, the artistic lives began of three important Catalan composers of three consecutive generations: Joan Manén (1883-1971), Robert Gerhard (1896-1970) and Xavier Montsalvatge (1912 -2002): composers whose extensive output has been performed and received international recognition, and who set out to find their own personal voice from the starting points of different musical styles.

All three composed sonatas for cello and piano – works that depart from Spanish traditional music and look to Europe, assimilating the stylistic influences that most suited their contrasting sensibilities and thus making an authentic and original contribution to 20th-century musical composition.