An Innovative Concert at the Petit Palau
Last January 9, the Petit Palau hosted an exceptional musical event within the Km0 cycle of the BCN Classics season. Interpreters Anna Urpina and Inés Moreno took the audience on a sonic journey that fused the Baroque with the contemporary, presenting works by current Catalan composers such as Josep Maria Guix and Joan Magrané.
Reinterpretation of Classics and Premieres
With an innovative approach, Urpina alternated between several instruments, using a baroque violin tuned to 415 Hz for the ancient pieces, which contrasted with the modern sonorities. The interpretation of Biber’s ‘Rosary Sonata No. 1’ stood out for its intimacy and depth, with a violin that conveyed a unique sensitivity.
Exploring the Galant
Next, the interpretation of a sonata by Joan Baptista Pla allowed Urpina to show a more varied facet, although some moments revealed small out-of-tunes that nuanced the execution.
Current Creations: Fragil and Fressa
The night continued with ‘Fràgil’, by Josep Maria Guix, which required a change of instrument. Urpina opted for the modern violin, bringing a new sonic dimension to a work that is presented as an explosion of color and emotion. For ‘Fressa’, by Joan Magrané, he returned to the baroque violin, creating a perfect harmony with the harpsichord.
Cinematic Inspiration
Magrané shared that ‘Fressa’ is inspired by the film ‘The Turin Horse’ by Béla Tarr, a connection that surprised the audience, demonstrating that classical roots can inspire contemporary creations.
Redescobrint Jacquet de la Guerre
One of the highlights was the presentation of the ‘Sonata I’ by Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, a recently rediscovered composer. Urpina retrieved this work from the Paris Library, offering the public a dynamic and expressive piece that captivated the audience.
Musical Highlight: La Follia
The concert closed with Arcangelo Corelli’s ‘La Follia’, one of the most iconic works in the repertoire. In this piece, Urpina and Moreno shone with exceptional rapport, transforming the moment into a celebration of Baroque music with a contemporary twist. Moreno moved from accompaniment to prominent co-star, bringing energy and vivacity to an already memorable performance.
With this performance, Urpina and Moreno demonstrated that classical music not only endures over time, but also evolves, offering new experiences to modern audiences.