Cordova, Alejandro

Composer: Ponce, Manuel Maria

Sonatina meridional

Cordova, Alejandro

Guitar: Cordova, Alejandro

Playing Time: 00:10:04

Catalogue Number: NVF0077

In August 1930, Segovia wrote to Ponce requesting the composer to write a sonatina 'of a purely Spanish character'. Segovia performed the second and third movements in Madrid on 19 February 1932, and played the entire work for the first time at the Palau de la Musica Catalana, Barcelona ten days later. In 1939 the guitarist had the work published with Schott under the title of Sonatina meridional(Southern Sonatina), and provided a subtitle for each movement. He recorded the piece in June 1949 for HMV.

The Sonatina meridional evokes the lyrical warmth of Iberia. The first movement (named Campo by Segovia), suggests the atmosphere of the countryside, while the last movement, Fiesta, has the rhythmic excitement and vitality that its name implies. The slow movement, Copla, is a superb example of the composer's lyrical gifts and his subtle mastery of harmony.