Search - Antonio de Almeida :: MARTINEZ-SOBRAL: Acuarelas Chapinas / CASTILLO: Guatemala I and II

A wonderful discovery

Cecilia Skinner-Klee | csklee@gold.guate.net | 02/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Martínez Sobral's symphonic scenes Acuarelas Chapinas, is a real revelation. Magnificently orchestrated pieces, they have an immediate and direct impact. As much as Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain or Ives' Three Places in New England, they describe a place, in this case, a city in Latin America circa 1905. Ricardo Castillo's tone poem Xibalbá evoques a world of magic and legends of the Mayan world. This is music that important conductors should take into account to enlarge their repertoires, introducing names from the past that merit the best disclosure."

A Mayan "Lord of the Rings?"

Rex Barron | New Mexico, USA | 06/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As the liner notes say, Castillo's music seems to shout "Once upon a time..." Beautiful folk-like melodies, orchestration that sounds like a mix of Lili Boulanger, Sviridov, and even Stravinsky. Some musical snobs will sniff, but who needs them anyway? Great evocations of myth and fantasy."