Concert

César Franck (1822-1890)	Prelude in B Minor
	The works of Franck can be described as classical in form with some elements of Romanticism. An excellent organist and pedagogue, immersed in his own interior world, Franck received his notariety late in life, when in 1871 he founded the National Society of Music; an environment suitable for valiorizing his music. He was of Belgian origin, studied at the Paris Conservatory and was accused of "germanizing" French music. Oscillating between mystic thematicism and drammaticism, he utilized cyclic forms, attributable to Berlioz, always maintaining a characteristic recurring theme with uncharacteristic chromatism.
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)	Impromptu Op. 90 No. 2 in E Flat Major
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)	Impromptu Op. 90 No. 4 in A Flat Major
	Impromptu No. 2 in E Flat Major - The impromptu in E Flat Major begins with the first section in rippling, cascading thirds, written in the style of an etude, while the central section contrasts as an anchor for the two outer sections. In this work Schubert seems closer to Chopin in style, although his approach to form remains classical. Impromptu No. 4 in A Flat Major - A cascade of fourths adorns the limpid rithm of a dance found in the bass of the Impromptu in A Flat Major. The juxtaposition of different tonalities creates a delicate play of sonority, always recalling the form of dance and song. The central part is dramatic, dense and full of pathos.
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)	Ballade Op. 52 No. 4 in F Minor
	The inspiration of Chopin is derived from his facility to improvise. As a poet writes with the impression of the word, Chopin composes with the touch of the fingers: an opening chord, a casual modulation from one tonality to another, all derived from the hand of an artist. The Ballade suggests the form of the sonata: two themes, one tender and the other violent, althouh they are not developed they are intertwined in an amalgamation found in a short coda at the end.
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)	Pavane pour une infante défunte
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)	Alborada del gracioso
	"I have always considered Ravel to be a great French artist as Rameau and Debussy", wrote Romain Roland in his hommage to the composer after his death in 1937. "His compositions are superior in precision, finesse and brilliance: he is a master of color and form". Ravel's style is derived from Rameau and Couperin in spirit which is tipically French, his classicism is derived from Mozart and his technic from Liszt. Pavane pour une infante défunte - The Pavane was composed in 1899 and was the first work which gave Ravel notariety. It was dedicated to Princess Edmond of Polignac, a painter and member of the affluent French aristocracy. The pavane originally was a musical form founded in the 16th century and was written as an itroduction to the galliard: it was a composition with characteristic cermonial solemnity. Alborada del gracioso - This is one of the five pieces from the set entitled Miroirs and represents a song played at sunrise by the court minstrels. It is filled with virtuosity, quick-repeated-notes, glissandi in thirds and fourths and imitations of the guitar and castenets.
Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)	Evocation
Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)	El Puerto
	The masterpiece "Iberia" of Albeniz consists of four collections of Spanish "impressions". All of the pieces were inspired by andalusian images and are based on typical Spanish dance rithms. Evocation - This is the first work in the suite Iberia. It is a fandango, where the meloy appears first in the bass register and later returns as a very gentle song in the alto register; a work suggesting a romantic and elusive musical dream. El Puerto - El Puerto depicts a small fisherman's harbor, Santa Maria, found on the shores of the Cadiz bay. There is an air of exuberant bussel originating from the presence of three diverse dance forms: the polo, bulerias and the seguidillas gitanas which propel one another vigorously throughout the work before opening the way to a serene coda, which disolves into a dream.
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)	L'isle Joyeuse
	L'isle Joyeuse was inspired by the 18th century painting "Embarkation for Cythera" by Antoine Watteau. Legend speaks of this island as the place where Aphrodite was born; an island of joy. the music of Debussy couples a smiling happiness and a sensual atmosphere, essential for this type of subject, while a propelling rhythm steadily increases the tension leading up to a triumphnt hymn to the goddess Aphrodite.

	César Franck		Prelude in B Minor (from the Prelude, Fugue and Variation)
	Franz Schubert		Impromptu Op. 90 No. 2 in E Flat Major
	Franz Schubert		Impromptu Op. 90 No. 4 in A Flat Major
	Fryderyk Chopin		Ballade Op. 52 No. 4 in F Minor

	Maurice Ravel		Pavane pour une infante défunte
			Alborada del gracioso
	Isaac Albeniz		Evocation
			El Puerto
	Claude Debussy		L'isle Joyeuse