In this post, as promised, I’ll share the stories behind each composition in my last two solo piano albums. More specifically, the stories behind the pieces that are solo piano versions of previously released works. For the new ones, their stories will come later 🙂 For now, I’ll just highlight their status as premieres and mention when they were composed.
Starting with the latest one, Solo Piano II:
Solo Piano II:
Behind the Mask: Composed in 2024, debuting on this album..
Nana: Composed for lostfrontier’s sampler* ‘Music written for and inspired by babies’ (Track 13 – Nana2 – Olga BG)
https://archive.org/details/MusicWrittenForAndInspiredByBabies
*(These are compilation albums featuring different artists, released annually by this radio host. More info on his website.)
Amnis: Composed in 2013. First released on the album En Directo 2015, in its version for piano and oboe.
El Cantar de las Hojas: Composed in 2011 as a gentle piano lullaby, originally titled ‘Inexistente final’. Its vocal version debuted on the album ‘Vitae Proelium‘ (2012), with vocals and lyrics by Pilar. It was also featured in the 2015 live album, with vocals and lyrics by Bea. You can also find other live performances on YouTube, in 2023 sung by Mar and with oboe, and in 2022 with Bea.
Primer Viaje: Dating back to before 2000, it was originally sequenced on a keyboard. Released as ‘Erste Reise‘ on the album ‘Itineris I‘ its digitally produced version, arranged for piano, cello, and other instruments. Also released as ‘Viajes‘ (comprising Primer Viaje, Segundo Viaje, and Tercer Viaje), featured in the 2015 live album for piano, cello, oboe, and bendir. You can also fin on YouTube the 2022 live performance.
Desde el Silencio: Composed in 2007. Released as D.e.S. on the album ‘Itineris I‘ (2011) in its digitally produced version, featuring piano and other instruments..
La Danza del Duende: Originally a piece in B minor intended as an accompaniment for vocals. Later titled ‘Dances of the Soul‘ and released on the album ‘Vitae Proelium‘ with vocals by Pilar and myself. Retitled ‘La Danza del Duende’ in a new vocal version by Bea that remains unreleased, though we performed it live.
Let go: Composed in 2013 but previously unreleased. Its title reflects the theme of acceptance and letting go during its creation.
Renacer: Composed between late 2023 and early 2024. The centerpiece of this album, and the reason why I wanted to record a second solo piano album soon, since I finished it shortly after recording the first album.
Now moving on to the previous album::
Solo Piano:
Trisolgy: Composed in 2014. The piano, cello and oboe version premiered live in 2015. A 2022 live performance is also available on YouTube. Digitally produced version released in 2023 (album ‘Hiems Aeterna‘). Initially composed in three parts in G minor, which inspired the wordplay in the title. Eventually, I condensed the three parts into one and arranged it for oboe and cello for the group premiere. I still plan to continue it and create a second part, as some themes were left out.
Omnia: Composed between 2011 and 2012. First released as ‘Omnia in Anima Manent‘ in the áabum ‘Vitae Proelium‘ — a piece with vocals and Latin lyrics, featuring Blanca García on vocals. The title means “Everything remains in the soul.” Later arranged for piano, violonchelo y oboe, it was included in the 2015 live album. A live recording from 2022 is also available on YouTube.
Solsticio: Composed in 2021. My first composition after the pandemic and a musical hiatus. Its digitally produced version was released in 2023 (album Hiems Aeterna). Performed and recorded live in 2022 and 2023. Initially titled “Solsticio de infierno,” I eventually simplified it to “Solsticio.” Written in G♯ minor, it’s the longest piece so far (7 minutes for the solo piano version, nearly 9 for the full version).
Siberia: Composed in 2022. Its digitally produced version premiered in the album Hiems Aeterna (2023). Recorded live in 2023 (available on YouTube).
Segundo Viaje: Composed between 2006 and 2007. First released as ‘Zweite Reise‘ in the album ‘Itineris I‘, and later as part of ‘Viajes’ (with cello and oboe) in 2015.
Fantasía: Composed in 2008. First released in 2011 (album ‘Itineris I‘).
Dreaming in Darkness: Composed in 2013. Originally a digitally produced vocal piece, which wasn’t released until 2023 (album ‘Hiems Aeterna‘). In 2015, I arranged it for cello and oboe and it premiered in that year’s album and concert.
Behind the Mask