Balada, Leonardo: Caprichos Nos 1 & 5 (Naxos Audio CD)  

Caprichos No 1 ‘Homage to Federico García Lorca’, Caprichos No 5 ‘Homage to Isaac Albéniz’, A Little Night Music in Harlem • Reflejos

Bertrand Piertrand Piétu, guitar • Aldo Mata, cello • Tatiana Franco, flute
Iberian Chamber Orchestra • José Luis Temes

Catalan-born Leonardo Balada fuses tradition with modernity and folk with the avant-garde, producing music of stunning sonorities. Caprichos No. 1 pays homage to the poet Lorca in a blend of virtuosic writing and transformative dance rhythms. In Caprichos No. 5, based on Albéniz’s piano music, distorted melodies are revealed, as well as instruments engaging in exciting duels. A Little Night Music in Harlem sees Mozart translated via surrealist sleight of hand, whilst Reflejos balances lament with typically incendiary brilliance.