Villancico extrafino

Juan Pérez Berná 

Miguel Hernández, Spanish poet and playwright of special relevance in the 20th century literature, wrote his 'Villancico Extrafino' just before going into stage works, but it remained unpublished until its publication in the second volume of the complete works of this author. The four poems that make up this short cycle are introduced by scenic notes of a symbolic nature, and each of them recreates a Christmas scene. The orchestration of this 'Villancico Extrafino' follows cumulative patterns that allow it to be performed by four different ensembles: choir, vocal soloists and orchestra; choir, vocal soloists, cello and piano; mezzo-soprano and orchestra (without the first movement) and mezzo-soprano, cello and piano (without the first movement). 

The versions without choir can be performed under the title Tres Villancicos Extrafinos. The scores for interpreting both the orchestral and chamber versions are contained on the CD that accompanies this edition.