Move Records Australian classical & art music, est. 1968
Front cover art for The Latin Muse

The Latin Muse

Pianist Nancy Tsou brings fire and tenderness to Spanish and Latin American works by Piazzolla, Granados, de Falla, Albéniz and Ginastera. Chosen for intensity of feeling, the programme is played with deep sympathy for the Latin idiom.

  • CatalogueMCD 619
  • Released16 Aug 2021
  • Playing time47 minutes 2 seconds

Listen & tracks

4 of 12 tracks have a preview · 9 works · 47:02

  1. 1 Oblivion Astor Piazzolla 4:29
  2. 2 Milonga del Angel Astor Piazzolla 5:31
  3. 3 Libertango Astor Piazzolla 3:23
  4. 4 Spanish Dance, Op. 37, no. 5 Enrique Granados Andaluza 4:42
  5. 5 Goyescas Enrique Granados Intermezzo 4:26
  6. 6 The Three-Cornered Hat Manuel de Falla Danse du Meunier (Dance of the Miller) 2:14
  7. 7 La Vida Breve Manuel de Falla 3:36
  8. Cantos d’España, Op. 232Isaac Albéniz 2 movements11:04
    1. 8 No. 1: Asturias 6:32
    2. 9 No. 3: Sous le Palmier 4:32
  9. Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2Alberto Ginastera 3 movements7:37
    1. 10 Danza del viejo boyero (Dance of the old herdsman) 1:30
    2. 11 Danza de la moza donosa (Dance of the delightful young lady) 2:36
    3. 12 Danza del gaucho matrero (Dance of the artful herdsman) 3:31

Nancy was brought up in Argentina and has an uncanny sympathy for the Latin idiom. Each piece was chosen for one quality only: its intensity of feeling. The fire and tenderness of a great repertory are what she conveys.

On this recording the music is played on the instrument for which it was composed, except for Piazzolla. The arrangements of Oblivion and Milonga del Angel are by Zunini and Cosentino.

In the artist’s words

The music of Spain and Latin America – scarcely has it begun before we know exactly where it comes from. A few notes and we are transported to the world of fiestas and flamenco, to the high plains and a proud people. We do not need to hear the sound of guitars or castanets, the melodies and harmonies are enough. It is music as crisp and spare as modern architecture, but with a richness of melody and invention not heard since Bach.

Reviews

The Latin Muse presents some of the best-known works of five Hispanic composers performed by pianist Nancy Tsou. Nancy spent the early years of her childhood growing up in Argentina, absorbing the ubiquitous Latin music, its wonderful colours, and its free and vibrant spirit. She established a deep and sympathetic connection to the Latin culture and music.

It is impossible to praise Nancy Tsou’s playing too highly – accurate, rhythmical and exciting. Many of the works she plays are usually heard being played by musical groups but she loses none of the nuances and, above all, the music is imbued with strongly Hispanic sensitivities.

Artists

Photograph of Nancy Tsou

Nancy Tsou

piano

Nancy Tsou (pronounced "Zo") was born to a diplomatic family of the Republic of China (Taiwan). She began her musical education at age five, in Argentina, and continued her studies in Melbourne and New York.

Photograph of Isaac Albéniz

Isaac Albéniz

composer

Isaac Albéniz (1860–1909) was a Spanish pianist and composer whose piano music, steeped in folk idioms, helped give Spanish art music a distinctive national voice.

Photograph of Manuel de Falla

Manuel de Falla

composer

Manuel de Falla (1876–1946) was a Spanish composer and pianist, one of Spain’s most important musicians of the first half of the twentieth century. A modest output carries a strong Andalusian stamp and, later, a leaner neoclassical voice.

Photograph of Enrique Granados

Enrique Granados

composer

Enrique Granados was born in Lérida in 1867. He studied the piano and composition in Barcelona and then in Paris, returning to Barcelona in 1889, and won distinction as a pianist and popularity in Spain with his zarzuelas and piano music.

Photograph of Astor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla

composer

Astor Piazzolla turned the tango into something sharper, more restless and chamber-like. His nuevo tango draws jazz harmony and classical counterpoint into the dance without blunting its edge.

No photograph: Alberto Ginastera

Alberto Ginastera

composer

Alberto Ginastera’s music pulls Argentine folk and gaucho tradition into classical form: dances and songs of direct national colour give way to later scores where those roots turn abstract, fierce and rhapsodic.

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Performers

Details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Total playing time
47 minutes 2 seconds
Release date
Categories
Classical, Keyboard
Musical work copyright
© 2021 Nancy Tsou
Sound recording copyright
℗ 2021 Move Records
Catalogue
MCD 619
EAN
9314574061925

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