FREDERIC MOMPOU (1893-1987): Suburbis (orch. Manuel Rosenthal [1904-2003]), Scènes d'enfants (orch. Alexandre Tansman [1897-1986]), Les Impropères for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus and Orchestra, Combat del somni for Soprano and Orchestra.

Description: The two orchestral works share both dates of original composition by Mompou (1915-18) and orchestrations (1936). Suburbis is a suite of five post-impressionist pieces describing various parts of Barcelona while the other's title is clear enough. Les Improprères (1936) is a setting of the verses in the Good Friday liturgy which Christ addresses to the people from the cross; the work appears to be a tribute to Poulenc. Combat (1942-48, orch. 1965) is a trio of love songs dedicated to the woman who would become Mompou's wife and is most unlike this spare, exacting composer, especially in its orchestration which sometimes is almost Mahlerian (in terms of emotion, not in size of orchestra). Latin, Catalan texts. Virgínia Parramon (soprano), Jerzy Artysz (baritone), Chorus of Valencia, Chamber Orchestra of the Teatre Lliure; Josep Pons. Original 1994 Harmonia Mundi release.