Juan Montes Capón: Works for piano

Juan Montes Capón, Galician in origin, is one of the most representative Spanish musicians of the 19th century. With the brilliant pianists Javier Ares, Jorge Briones and Pablo Diago, we have compiled in a doble CD some of the most representative works that Montes composed for this instrument. Montes did not become part of Galicia’s historical memory because of his work as a teacher or salon compositions, but because of his Galician influences, his ballads, suites, etc. He multiplied them into pieces for band, brass band, or orchestra, in keeping with the general tone of the Romantic composers who closed the 19th century with the well-known regional styles. Thus, Montes gave voice to a generalised feeling with his muiñeirsas, alalás and xotas. They were not only relevant in the music stand for piano, but also in literary-musical gatherings, concert cafés, or private homes. In these scenarios, the regional style became the alternative one for traditional dance groups created in Galicia since 1883 (Aires da Terra), as an idealised mirror of what rural life provided. Venues in Lugo gave voice to Galician choice thirty years later. Carlos Villanueva e Ilduara Vicente.