Quatuor Byron - Turina, Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Souvenir d'Espagne

Joaquin Turina and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco both carry Spain within them - the former because he was born there, the latter through his Spanish ancestors, exiled long before him. The Byron Quartet bring together four of their works shot through with Hispanic musical reminiscences - Turina's youthful de la guitarra quartet, his Oración del torero (the "bullfighter's prayer") and his mature Serenata, with on Castelnuovo-Tedesco's side his Quintet with Guitar and it's movement "Souvenir d'Espagne" ("A Spanish souvernir"). Just like the country that inspired them, each of these pieces stands at the crossroads of diverse influences, mingling d'Indy, Franck, Debussy, Schubert, Ravel, Andalusian music, flamenco and of course the guitar, whose spirit runs through the whole program.