KCC House Concert: Programme for March

PROGRAMME NOTES

Federico Moreno Torroba (1891-1983) Sonatina in A Major

I. Allegretto

II. Andante

III. Allegro

Federico Moreno Torroba’s Sonatina in A major is a staple in the repertoire for classical guitar. The first movement is a song with an impressive and spirited theme, beginning with a bright melody and responsive accompaniment. The lyrical melodies and chords following this are dramatic and elegant. The second movement is a slow movement, which is lyrical and gives you a sense of Spain through characteristic ornamentation. Lastly, the third movement is powerful and elegant. The vigorous, almost forceful playing relents when the theme from the second movement briefly reoccurs, relieving that urgent tension felt during this final movement.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Prelude, Fugue and Allegro BWV 998

This song was written by Bach for the lute or harpsichord and is a beautiful song. The pieces complement each other, with the prelude as an angel's song and the Fugue as a human’s song, and finally the Allegro is a song falling from angel to human.

Enrique Granados (1867-1916) ‘No.3 Fandango’ from 12 Danzas Españolas (arr. Manuel Barrueco)

This piece was composed for the piano. Granados was particularly immersed in the work of bringing Spanish rhythms and grafting them into classical music. He was a pupil of Felip Pedrell who was described as the ‘Father of the nationalist’. 12 Danzas Españolas were composed by bringing each characteristic rhythm from Spanish folk rhythm, and this particular song was composed by bringing the rhythm of Fandango, a dance song with a fast 3-beat rhythm.

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PERFORMER

Sungbin Cho - Classical guitar

Clasisical guitarist Sungbin Cho is from Seoul, Korea. Graduating with a BMus from the Korea National University of Arts, he subsequently served in the Republic of Korea Air Force where he completed his two-year military service. He then entered the Royal Academy of Music to undertake an MA in Performance, with Michael Lewin. He is the first Korean national to play classical guitar at the RAM.

Sungbin was selected as a Young Artist by the Kumho Cultural Foundation, held a recital, and won first place at the Haneum Music Competition. Through this KCCUK concert, he will play Toroba and Bach, the representative repertoires of classical guitar, and also plays a piece of Granados which was originally composed for a piano.