Federico Mompou
Federico Mompou (April 16, 1893–June 30, 1987) was a Catalan composer. He is best known for his solo piano music and his songs.
Mompou was born in Barcelona (Spain), and studied piano there at the Conservatorio del Liceo before going to Paris to study with Ferdinand Motte-Lacroix in 1911. Being rather shy personally, he abandoned a solo career and chose to pursue composition instead. In 1914 he returned to Barcelona. He returned to Paris in 1921, and remained there until 1941 when he once again departed for his native Catalonia, fleeing the German occupation of Paris.
On this CD, we get to hear the interpretations of Mompou’s music by one of the great Spanish interpreters, Alicia de Larrocha.
- Mompou: Cançons i danzas & Preludes
Mompou:
- Cançon y Danzas
- Prelude No. 11 (a Alicia de Larrocha)
- Prelude No. 5 (Moderato – Dolce cantabile)
- Prelude No. 6 (left hand)
- Prelude No. 7 (Palmier d’étoiles )
Performed by Alicia de Larrocha (piano)
Mompou was treasured by fellow composers; beloved of pianists; in many ways he was more similar in his work to a poet than a crafter of musical notes. He was a Catalan who quietly lived through the region’s turbulent 20th century, dying in Barcelona in 1987.
The notes themselves often come and go without fuss, leaving few traces behind, and in that sense his music inhabits the world of Fauré and Satie; the most definite trace could be said to be the composer’s own recordings, made in 1974. Although they’re not rhythmically complex, making these songs and dances sing and dance is harder than it looks.
Alicia de Larrocha was at a distinct advantage, knowing the composer as well as she did and having the whole of Spanish piano music under her fingers. This is a late recording of hers, full of light and warmth.
Here is Alicia de Larrocha performing Mompou:
And now, here is “Prelude #11” by Federico Mompou:
Tags: Federico Mompou, Alicia De Larrocha, Cançons i danzas, Preludes