It was in May (16 days before the concert) when I received the score of the winning composition of the competition Classic Pure Vienna. It was a Suite with 3 movements composed by the Spanish guitarist and musician Miguel Herreros Ruiz-Valdepeñas, called "Painter's Suite". This work is a hommage to 3 of the most important painters of the 20th and 21th centuries from Spain: Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Antonio López. The titles are called: "Melted Clocks" (Dalí), "La Paloma" (Picasso), La Gran Vía (López). All three are called like works by the painters and try to reflect them.
At the beginning of June I performed this Suite live in the centre of Vienna ("Altes Rathaus") at the award ceremony. The composer, who just came from Spain, was present at the ceremony to receive his award and listen to the concert.
For me it was a beautiful adventure from receiving the score, preparing the piece, adapting the fingerings to my fingers ;-) and finally doing the performance in a very beautiful and elegant setting, due to the building, but also to the organization of the competiton and the people involved.
As I have lived in Spain for one year for my guitar studies, I was especially interested in this work and the stories behind. I think, we all have heard about Picasso and Dalí, but I have to admit that I had never heard about Antonio López. What my reasearches found is, that he is a living painter and sculptor (born in 1936), who is also very appreciated among experts, especially known for his realistic style. His work "Gran Vía", which was the inspiration of the 3rd movement of the work for solo guitar, impressed me very much. Gran Vía could be translated to "Big Street" and it is the main street in the centre of Madrid. López' painting looks realistic like a photograph. As I have been there and even lived in a small side street, very close to Gran Vía, memories came back and my heart connected directly to the painting and the music composed by Miguel Herreros Ruiz-Valdepeñas.
Trying to see the paintings while playing (or listening) fascinates me and lets me feel connected deeply with music and art.
The score of the work is already available here: MALER-SUITE | Universal Edition
Have fun watching my live performance: Miguel Herreros Ruiz-Valdepenas - Painters Suite - Classic Pure Vienna 2024 (Angela Mair) - YouTube
Small detail for classical guitarists: I was reminded of F. Tárrega while playing some parts. And imagine what: When I spoke with the composer about that and asking him about influences, he said that Tárrega was one of his favourite composers for the guitar. We spent a beautiful time and thanks to anyone involved!
Angela
