Cardenes:Jt Pittsburgh Sin:Loh - Balada: Caprichos No. 2/ 3/ 4

An exciting new volume in the Naxos Spanish Classics series, Balada's Caprichos form a collection of compositions in the form of suites. Caprichos No. 2 is a suite of three Latino American dances, presented in a free modernistic manner. Caprichos No. 3 (Homage to the International Brigades) consists of five short pieces that pay homage to the army of volunteers from all over the world that fought during the Spanish Civil War. In Caprichos No. 4 the ideas come from jazz, presented in a free modernistic manner with a double bass soloist, string orchestra, clarinet and piano.\A contemporary Spanish voice that ably blends modernity and the past without compromise.... If proof were required that significant Spanish, post-Rodrigo compositional life exists, and that it is influenced by, though not obsessed with Spain's past, Balada would suffice to provide it.... Naxos is performing a valuable service by focusing on this most creative composer in this recording and in his previous one. Gramophone