La Nueva España (composition)
| La Nueva España | |
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| by Lorenzo Ferrero | |
Conquest of Mexico by Cortés, 17th-century painting
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| Genre | Set of six symphonic poems |
| Publisher | Casa Ricordi |
| Recorded | 1998 Different Views (CD recording. BMG Ricordi) 2000 La Nueva España (CD recording. Naxos Records) |
| Duration | 70 mins. |
| Scoring | Symphonic orchestra |
La Nueva España is a set of six symphonic poems by Lorenzo Ferrero written between 1990 and 1999, which is dedicated to the Spanish conquest of Mexico (once called the New Spain) in 1519-21. The suite can be considered a kind of preparatory study to the opera La Conquista (Prague National Theatre, 2005). This story - says the composer - is of great relevance and reminds us that cultural diversity is a precious asset that must not be squandered.
A typical performance lasts about one hour and ten minutes.
The poems can be performed individually or together. The compositional concept that underlines the cycle confirms the theatrical nature of Ferrero; each piece has its own colour, a specific character, but at the same time subtle thematic links hold the parts together, according to a well-calculated interplay of rhythmic, melodic and harmonic references.
The cycle follows the chronological order of the historical events:
La Nueva España is scored for 2 flutes (also piccolo and bass flute), 2 oboe, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, harpe, piano, celesta, timpani, 3 percussions and strings.
In chronological order of recording:
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