Composer

:

Roberto Gerhard

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Average_duration

:

17:54

Pedrelliana is a composition for orchestra by the Spanish composer Roberto Gerhard. It was composed in 1952 and premiered on 22 January 1953 by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the composer himself. The work is dedicated to the memory of the musicologist and composer Felipe Pedrell, who is considered the father of modern Spanish music. Pedrelliana is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different Catalan folk song collected by Pedrell. The first movement, "El testament d'Amelia," is a mournful song about a dying woman's last wishes. Gerhard's orchestration emphasizes the melancholic character of the melody, with the strings playing long, sustained notes and the woodwinds and brass providing subtle harmonies. The second movement, "La filadora," is a lively dance tune about a woman spinning wool. Gerhard's orchestration is more playful and rhythmic, with the percussion section providing a driving beat and the woodwinds and brass playing syncopated rhythms. The final movement, "El cant dels ocells," is a well-known Catalan Christmas carol that has been arranged by many composers, including Pablo Casals. Gerhard's version is more complex and abstract, with the melody fragmented and reassembled in different ways throughout the movement. The orchestration is also more colorful, with the percussion section playing a prominent role and the strings and brass providing rich harmonies. Overall, Pedrelliana is a tribute to the Catalan folk music that inspired Gerhard throughout his career. The composer's skillful orchestration and use of traditional melodies create a work that is both deeply rooted in Spanish culture and forward-looking in its modernist style.

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