Branford Musical Arts Society presents: Tonadas: a Journey to Spanish Roots

The Branford Musical Arts Society presents: Tonadas: a Journey to Spanish Roots with pianist Pablo Martínez. Funded by the DARO Foundation.

The term tonada in Spanish refers to a tune or melody, often associated with singing, playing, or dancing—sometimes encompassing all these elements. Joaquín Nin-Culmell, a Spanish-American composer of Cuban heritage, created 48 tonadas for piano between 1956 and 1961. These pieces are characterized by their elegant simplicity and deep roots in the traditional melodies from various regions across Spain. Through these musical miniatures, Nin-Culmell offers a rich and varied tapestry of Spanish folk music, challenging the common misconception that it is limited to Andalusian or flamenco traditions. In this special recital, Pablo Martínez presents a preview of his forthcoming Tonadas album with IBS Classical, one of the most prominent recording labels in Spain and Europe today. The album will feature the 48 tonadas performed during this recital. The recital is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes in length. 

About the performer:

Described as "sensitive and thoughtful" by Volksstimme, Spanish pianist Pablo Martínez has graced renowned stages such as Carnegie Hall, the National Auditorium of Madrid, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and the Mozarteum Wiener Saal in Salzburg. An acclaimed laureate of international piano competitions, his honors include the Neue Sterne International Competition in Hanover, the Premios Loewe-Hazen in Madrid, and the Campillos International Competition in Málaga. Pablo is an integral part of Houston's vibrant musical scene, city where he is based. As a former Young Artist at DaCamera, he has performed in key cultural venues like the Wortham Theater Center, the Menil Collection, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Music and Assistant Organist at Saint John Vianney Catholic Church. Alongside his active performance schedule, Pablo is dedicated to education, running a successful piano studio in Houston. Dr. Martínez holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Houston's Moores School of Music.

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.