(Audio)

Bearing the name of Spain’s most universal composer in many centuries, the Quartet Manuel de Falla was founded in 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of the Maestro.

The Quartet is formed by renowned musicians with a wide experience in Chamber Music. Relying on the large clarinet family, this ensemble embraces a large repertory, both aesthetically and in their interpretation. Since its foundation, the Quartet commissioned a series of pieces to different contemporary composers, with the aim of creating a new repertory for this formation, while tackling the transcription of the most beautiful and universal pieces within the national epoch of Spanish music by Falla, Granados, Albéniz and Turina. This period in music was marked by smooth and involving rhythms, courageous harmonies and magic melodies.

The great versatility of the ensemble allows them to embrace a large production of Chamber Music by Mozart as "divertimentos" and "nocturnos", originally written for Basset Horn, one of Mozart's favourite instruments.

The Quartet Manuel de Falla has already performed in a large number of Chamber Music concerts, within the most renowned programmes and festivals of Spain, such as those of the Auditorio Nacional de Música de Madrid; Semana Musical of the Fundación Príncipe de Asturias; Fundación Juan March; Música en la Universidad; Festival de Otoño de la Comunidad de Madrid; Conciertos en el Museo Nacional de Arte Reina Sofía organized by the Spanish Center for Diffusion of Contemporary Music (C.D.M.C.) of the Spanish Ministry of Culture - and Institutos Cervantes, etc. Abroad, the Quartet Manuel de Falla has performed in England, Belgium, Germany, Romania and Portugal.

ENRIQUE PÉREZ PIQUER

Soloist of the National Orchestra of Spain with a splendid curriculum featuring national and international awards, orchestras, concerts, master classes and recordings. Founding member of several formations of Chamber Music. He has performed in Spain, France, Belgium, Hungary, Portugal, Romania, England, Germany, etc. As an interpreter he has performed with numerous national and international orchestras. He has recorded a large number of CDs, film music and more than 50 pieces of live music by the National Radio of Spain.

ADOLFO GARCÉS SAURI

Born in a family of musical tradition, he started clarinet studies with his father. He graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, obtaining the highest qualifications. At present, he is a teacher for clarinet at the Escuela Municipal de Música y Danza de Cercedilla, and is a founding member of the Trío Max Bruch de Madrid. As a member of the Quartet Manuel de Falla, he performed in the concerts of the tour through Europe.

JORGE JUAN GIL ARRAEZ

He graduated as Teacher for Clarinet from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid. In the professional field, he has worked in different conservatories in Madrid. At present, he is a full professor in the "P.A. Soler" Conservatory of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. He has performed with the most important orchestras of Spain and is founding member of the Quartet Manuel de Falla. As a founding member he has performed in numerous concerts in Spain and toured Europe.

JOSÉ VICENTE SELVA

He initiated his musical studies with José Taléns and graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Madrid. He attended further master courses in Italy, Holland and Germany. He has performed with the most important orchestras of Spain. As a founding member of the Quartet Manuel de Falla, he feels a clear preference for chamber music. He teaches clarinet and bass clarinet and he is a lecturer in History of Spanish Music for the Spanish Program of the University of Middlebury (USA) and he leads the ensemble and the choir of the International Institute of Madrid.

"Music is the youngest art.

We are just beginning".

I am deeply moved by the birth of the Quartet “Manuel de Falla” feeling gratefulness for the memory and homage you pay to my uncle by choosing his name for this beautiful musical project, which has been made possible through your enthusiasm, effort, dedication and eagerness.

I am certain that my uncle would feel just as honoured, moved and grateful to find his name linked to music, to see his name linked to those musicians he admired, and especially to his Spanish colleagues and friends; to see how your concerts and recordings will bring the joy of music, new expressions and new sounds to music lovers…., in conclusion, to let us continue discovering new feelings and emotions through music.

With my warm congratulations and wishes for success.

María Isabel de Falla.

Cuarteto Manuel de Falla
c/ Trinquete 11 – 2º d
28033 Madrid (Spain)
http://www.cuartetomanueldefalla.com


Translation: Claudia Grümpel