“Remarkably catchy…an attractive view of contemporary Mexican music, with two composers many will not have heard of and engaging performance of a selection of striking works. Definitely a disc to explore”
In 2018 Anglo Arts www.angloarts.mx invited Shakespeare Sinfonia, under conductor David Curtis, produce a CD of commissioned work to celebrate 75 remarkable years of The Anglo Mexican Foundation in Mexico. The repertoire includes music by Alejandro Basulto www.alejandrobasulto.com , his Pequeña Serenata Ranchera for strings commissioned especially for this occasion and his Jig Variations for guitar and chamber orchestra, premiered to great acclaim in Mexico in 2016, conducted by David Curtis with Morgan Szymanski – guitar, as soloist www.morganszymanski.co.uk The CD also included two works by Arturo Marquez; Mascaras: Concerto for harp and chamber orchestra and Dibujos sobre un Puerto for tenor and harp with Gabriella Dall’Olio – harp and Jamie MacDougall – tenor as soloists.
The CD was recorded in St Judes , Hampstead, 10-12 June 2018 and released on Toccata Next lable https://toccataclassics.com/?s=serenata+mexicana
“The recording of this music is representative of the Anglo Arts mission: to form close cultural bonds between Mexico and the UK and to offer opportunities for creators from both countries to blend their artistic inspiration and talents in a programme of cultural exchange.”
Susan Chapman Tattersall, MBE
Reviews
Planet Hugill
“Remarkably catchy…an attractive view of contemporary Mexican music, with two composers many will not have heard of and engaging performance of a selection of striking works. Definitely a disc to explore”.
https://www.planethugill.com/2019/12/serenata-mexicana-engaging-new-music.html
Robert Hugill
Musicweb International
“This is one of those instantly appealing recordings, and one which will give great pleasure. Its release marks the 75th anniversary of the Anglo Mexican Foundation, who also commissioned the first three pieces on the disc. The Shakespeare Sinfonia is also making its debut and, on this evidence, a highly competent group of players. Congratulations are due to all involved in making this recording possible. I hope it will be the first of a series.
http://musicweb-international.com/classRev/2019/Apr/Serenata_Mexicana_TOCN0001.htm
Michael Wilkinson
Fanfare Magazine, USA
“The recording is beautifully balanced. Everything is crystal clear from top to bottom. David Curtis’s conducting is idiomatic, and harpist Gabriella Dall’Olio plays with ease. I am impressed by this initial effort in the Toccata Next catalog of music that I would normally not buy on impulse.
Mark Novak
Mexican Embassy – CD Launch
The recording was subsequently launched at a reception given by HE The Mexican Ambassador at the Mexican Embassy Residence on November 16, 2018
Shakespeare Sinfonia 