October 25th, 19h – Recital at the Bechstein Centrum in Tokyo with pianist Yukiko Akagi featuring music by spanish composers such as Xavier Montsalvatge, Frederic Mompou, Salvador Brotons, Benet Casablancas, Ramon Humet and Enrique Granados. More info and tickets here
October 20th, 19h – Recital in the Cripta de l’ermita in Cambrils, Tarragona. In the first half music of Richard Strauss. A selection of pieces for piano. These early works are influenced by the language of Mendelssohn and Schumann, but already show traits of Strauss’s style, including symphonic and sometimes operatic features. The second part is dedicated to the complete suite of Goyescas by Granados, a masterpiece of Spanish piano literature, full of drama and passion, and which was transferred to the genre of opera by the author himself. Tickets here
October 5th, 21h – Recital in Manlleu at the Auditori Fundació Caixa Manlleu, Barcelona. In the first half music of Richard Strauss. A selection of pieces for piano. These early works are influenced by the language of Mendelssohn and Schumann, but already show traits of Strauss’s style, including symphonic and sometimes operatic features. The second part is dedicated to the complete suite of Goyescas by Granados, a masterpiece of Spanish piano literature, full of drama and passion, and which was transferred to the genre of opera by the author himself. Tickets here.
September 16th – PROKOFIEV: ROMEO AND JULIET, 2 PIANOS – TEATRE ROMEA – ROSTRES. With YUKIKO AKAGI AND PERE ARQUILLUÉ. Transcription of Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet for two pianos and performance by actor Pere Arquillué. “In the scene, two pianists are on the Romea stage tuning their piano. After a few minutes, we see Pere Arquillué come out and, in silence, sit in the chair. Pere Arquillué begins to tune his face, to show the faces. Minutes later, the pianist begins to perform a series of pieces from Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev and Pere Arquillué, through the face and in silence, he transmits to us the history of the piece performed. The face, understood as a storyteller. , as a narrator, but also as a free space to give free rein to emotions”. TICKETS
COMING SOON – New album with all the works that Enrique Granados composed inspired by the world of Goya, including the popular suite “Los Majos Enamorados” and other related works such as Crepúsculo, Jácara, Serenata Goyesca, Reverie-Improvisation and the famous El Pelele. This recording is based on the Goyescas edition of Boileau Musica, directed by Alicia De Larrocha, with whom Alex Alguacil had the opportunity to study for several years, working on Spanish piano repertoire and some of the works presented in this CD. The booklet includes an article written by Alguacil himself analyzing the works of this recording, going through the themes and leitmotifs of the suite “Los Majos Enamorados” while connecting its musical transformation with the emotional development of this piano drama. Alguacil also highlights the musical unity of the work through the motif of the ‘lament’ and points out the appearance of musical themes of a Wagnerian nature, which give the work its operatic scope.
November 30th 2023 – Lecture recital at Conservatori de Tarragona as a hommage to Alicia De Larrocha in th 100th anniversary of her birth. The concert will include selections from Granados: Goyescas. The lecture will include an analysis of the work of Granados and there will be a talk with the audience, explaining Alguacil his years of studying with Alicia De Larrocha spanish and catalan repertoire.
June/July 2023 – In June and July, various activities and concerts in Japan, beginning with a masterclass at the Tokyo College of music, the result of the relationship between the Liceu Conservatory of Barcelona and the Tokyo College of music. It will take place on June 23 and will be focused on the music of Spanish/Catalan composers. The recitals will be on June 30 at Lilis Hall in Yokohama and on July 6 at Liu Mifune Art Museum in Okayama. The program will be made up of Goyescas by Granados and works by composers Benet Casablancas, Salvador Brotons, Joan Magrané and Marcos Fernandez Barrero. On June 1, Alex Alguacil was interviewed on the Catalunya Música program “Tots els matins del món” where he talked about these activities; You can retrieve the interview here. Tickets Lilis Hall Here.
March 30, 7pm – Recital at the Auditori Can Roig i Torres de Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona. In the first half music of Richard Strauss. A selection of pieces for piano. These early works are influenced by the language of Mendelssohn and Schumann, but already show traits of Strauss’s style, including symphonic and sometimes operatic features. The second part is dedicated to the complete suite of Goyescas by Granados, a masterpiece of Spanish piano literature, full of drama and passion, and which was transferred to the genre of opera by the author himself. This concert is part of the tribute concerts to Alicia de Larrocha on the centenary of her birth. Tickets
Review – “(…) Alex Alguacil takes advantage of the melodic clarity of the main voice of these pieces to offer us entertaining and deep versions at the same time. His language is a sonorous use that captivates the listener. From the block corresponding to opus 3 we highlight its dynamic variety, which shows a piano, mezzopiano and mezzoforte also seasoned by a natural rubato. Nothing sounds monotonous in the hands of Alguacil, who gives life to transparent music. (…) In addition, the performer’s technical resources contribute to the excellence of the pieces, such as the last of this work, which achieves brilliant chords and a central fugue of admirable musicality. (…) Bailiff fosters in this opus 9 that meditative climate where it is possible to make and contemplate music. Very complete Sonata (…) the superb Andante, which combines a propitious tension and balance; Scherzo whose supple agogic wins out in her fast-dancing features; and a richly phrased Finale that allows for variety in each repeated motif and creates the flow for a triumphant conclusion.” READ FULL REVIEW CD BOOKLET
