Balada Amarilla

About

This lively work sets one of the poems of Spanish poet Federico García Lorca (1898-1936). This is first of a set of four poems grouped under the title ‘Cuatro Baladas Amarillas’ (from the “Primeras Canciones” of 1922). Lorca, in his brief life, became a celebrated poet and playwright, introducing into his works elements then fashionable in Europe: symbolism, futurism and surrealism. He is believed to have been killed by Nationalist forces at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. Something of the surreal quality of Lorca’s poetry comes through in this description of a shepherd and his environment.

The music seeks to evoke typical “Spanish” rhythms and melodic shapes, and the singers also add rhythmic handclaps.

Balada Amarilla was awarded 1st place in the IX Amadeus International Choral Composition Competition (Spain) in the category for works with piano accompaniment.

The score is available from the composer (contact info@sounz.org.nz).