Palatin Piano-Violin Pieces
Palatín’s compositional style, despite its own character was influenced by other works and composers and therefore we find a certain eclecticism in his work. What is a constant in the Romantic style is his use of free form that allows expression to be unleashed without being subject to the musical form.
Andaluza (1917). With an Andalusian dance character, this piece shows Palatín´s taste for folkloric-inspired music. Floresta (1915). This lyrical work evokes extra-musical poetic elements in the style of Robert Schumann. Carmen´s Fantasy (1882). This fantasy includes themes of the famous Bizet opera like the famous habanera. Elegía (1876). Dedicated to the widowed Duchess of Medinaceli. Avispas (Wasps), (1878/9). Probably inspired by Francoise Schubert’s bee. Mazurka sentimental (1916). A piece of central European inspiration and great lyricism. Impromptu (Babiole), (1880). Bagatelle with a jocular and cheerful character. Fantasía Española (1880). This piece links and develops in an elegant and virtuous way popular Spanish themes among which we can find El Vito or an Aragonese Jota, echoing popular songs. Meditación. A piece with a calm and evocative character where the violin sings with total prominence. Cuento alegre, 1916 y Cuento triste, 1921. These two pieces are of Central European flavor and to which Palatín tries to give a certain literary entity. Bluette. Gavotta that allows Palatín to express his compositional grace and elegance. La Maja coqueta (1917). This piece has a traditional and zarzuelan-like spirit where the violin shines with elegance.
There is no doubt that these pieces for violin are written with the intention to display the instrument either for its lyricism or to show its acrobatic possibilities. But this does not affect the musical beauty of his compositions because when he makes the violin sing he writes melodies of precious and original workmanship. In the same manner, the virtuosic pieces are not exempt from artistic interest.
Rafael Muñoz Torrero
Rafael is violin professor at Conservatorio Superior de Música “Manuel Castillo” de Sevilla since 2018. Born in Seville (Spain), he studied at Conservatorio Superior de Música “Manuel Castillo” with J.M. Garcia Belmonte. He also received advices from Tamara Bektemirova and Sergei Teslia. Later he moved to the Conservatorium van Amsterdam to study with Keiko Wataya (awarded at Paganini competition and student of Joseph Szigeti, Sandor Vegh or Christian Ferras) for four years on a scholarship from JONDE and the Ministry of Culture. Since 2013 he holds a Master in interpretation and musical research receiving violin lessons from Ilya Grubert at the VIU. He holds a PhD in Music in 2017 from the Polytechnic University of Valencia for his research about Fernando Palatín. In Chamber Music he has received training from professors such as Juan Luis Pérez, Franz van Ruth, Dimitri Ferschtman among others. His interest in the historicist interpretation leads him to receive the advice of professors such as Rachel Podger, Enrico Gatti, Pedro Gandía or Nicholas Robinson. He was member of the Spanish Youth Orchestra (Jonde), European Union Youth Orchestra (Euyo) and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia (A Coruña). He has also collaborated with orchestras as the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Seville’s Royal Symphony Orchestra, the City of Granada Orchestra or the Baroque Orchestra of Seville. All this orchestral experience has led him to perform with the likes of Haitink, Rozdensvenski, Lopez Cobos, Rizzi, Oue, Imbal, Askenazy, Skrowacevski, Zedda and Pons and in halls such as Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Musikverein in Vienna, Royal Albert Hall of London, Usher Hall of Edinburgh, Kolner Philharmonie, Opera Roma, Pesaro Festival, Konzerthaus of Berlin, Sala Sao Paolo of Brazil, Teatro Coliseo de Buenos Aires, Teatro Solís of Montevideo, among others. He has participated in recordings for Deutsche Gramophon, Decca, Dynamic, IBS Classical among other record labels. He has also recorded with the quartet Carmen Veneris, specialized in historicist interpretation, an album for the Lindoro label of Brunetti’s quartets. He has been invited artist at Des Cims et des notes” music festival at Lans et Vercors (France). As a soloist, he performed with the Manuel Castillo Conservatory Orchestra (Seville), with the Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla, with the Orquesta Manuel de Falla (Cádiz), with the Antares Ensemble at the Festival Estío Burgales, and with the Orquesta Barroca de Salamanca. His activity in the field of Contemporary Music has led him to collaborate with the Zahir Ensemble recording several Cds for IBS Classical and performing at Mozarteum (Salzburg) or Palau de la Música de Valencia. He has been professor of violin and later Academic Director of the Young Orchestra of the Symphony Orchestra of Galicia. He has also been invited as a violin teacher at the Andalusian Youth Orchestra (OJA). He has also given masterclasses at the conservatories of Salamanca, Málaga, Linares and Úbeda or at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts Conservatory of Istanbul (Turkey). He plays a Christian Bayon violin, made in 2016
Julio Moguer
Musician of a solid academic training, he studied at some of the most prestigious European conservatories like Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid (where he was awarded the “Honours Prize”), Conservatorium van Amsterdam (Holland) and Hochschule für Musik Köln (Germany) with professors Javier R. Van-Baumberghen, Anselmo I. de la Campa, Jan Marisse Huizing, Stanley Hoogland (fortepiano) and renowned French pianist Pierre Laurent Aimard. He completed his training with the advice of other prominent personalities such as Philippe Entremont, Claude Helffer, Michele Campanella, Barry Douglas, Håkon Austbø, Pavel Nersessian or Malcolm Bilson. A prize winner at numerous competitions, Julio Moguer has performed all over Spain, Germany, Austria, Poland, Norway, Holland and Serbia. Noteworthy performances include Beethoven Concerto N. 3 at Auditorio de Zaragoza; Concerto da Camera for solo piano and 18 instruments by Luis de Pablo (chamber version of his Concerto for piano and orchestra N. 1) at Espacio Turina (Seville) with Zahir Ensemble, playing before the composer himself; Kammermusik Nr. 2 for solo piano and 12 instruments by Hindemith with the OSC of Seville conducted by Juan García; or many other performances in such prestigious venues as Belgrade Philharmonic Hall, Salzburg Mozarteum, Koncertowa Hall of F. Chopin University (Warsaw), Reina Sofía Museum (Madrid) or Teatro Central (Seville). Always interested in different approaches to music, Julio Moguer has worked closely with leading composers such as Reinhard Febel, José María Sánchez Verdú, Luis de Pablo, José Manuel López López, César Camarero, etc. Since 2006 he has collaborated regularly with cutting edge Zahir Ensemble. Moguer also develops an intense career as chamber musician, specially as member of Trio Vandelvira. Julio Moguer has recorded for Radio Clásica (RNE) and for RTS (official serbian television). He is preparing the release of his latest CD with works for solo piano and ensemble by Luis de Pablo with Zahir Ensemble, under the supervision of the composer himself. Julio Moguer is a professor of piano at Conservatorio Superior de Música “Manuel Castillo” de Sevilla.