Pablo Casals Day is an initiative to commemorate and celebrate Pablo Casals‘ historical and symbolic link with the city of Barcelona, as well as his musical, social and popular dimension, contributing to its promotion among younger generations. On 16 June 1934 Barcelona City Council named Pablo Casals an adoptive son, awarded him the Medal of the City and named the avenue at the foot of Turó Park after him.
2015 saw the first Pablo Casals Day-Barcelona. In 2016, the Barcelona City Council institutionalised it and over the last few editions it has become a celebration open to all. This year, the Pablo Casals Day-Barcelona was held in the Eduard Toldrà Auditorium of the Municipal Conservatory of Music of Barcelona, with limited seating capacity.
Performers
CMMB String Orchestra, David Olmedo, conductor | Xavier Montsalvatge Orchestra, Heriberto Fonseca, conductor | VOZES Orchestra, Pablo González, conductor | Group of 20 cellists*, Antoni Ros Marbà, conductor
* CMMB: Yang Ligero, Irene Romo, Patrícia Martínez, Eduard Marias. Liceu Conservatory Ariadna Besladuch, Camila Bretón, Paula González, Peter Thiemann, María Cardona, Miquel Fuentes, Maria Surroca, Alba González. IEA Oriol Martorell: Candela Puigbó Rincón, Laia Farrés, Pere Rius Cabré, Joana Albesa. VOZES: Aaron Meza, Raquel Tebar. Conservatori Professional de Música de la Lira Ampostina: David Rebull. Manresa Professional Music Conservatory: Célia Roca. Jordi León, drums. Peter Thiemann, coordination.
Programme
CMMB String Orchestra
P. Warlock: Capriol Suite núm. 1 “Basse Danse”
E. Grieg: Two Elegiac Melodies, no. 2, “The Last Spring”.
A. Piazzolla: Brown and Blue
Xavier Montsalvatge Orchestra
E. Grieg: Fragments from the Suite Holberg, Op. 40
Praeludium – Allegro vivace
Sarabande
Gavotte – Musette
VOZES Orchestra
A. Dvořák: Serenade for Strings (second movement)
A. Romero: Fugue with Pajarillo
Group of 20 cellists
P. Casals: Sant Martí del Canigó (harmonisation by Enric Casals)
Catalan tradition: El Cant dels Ocells (harmonisation by Pablo Casals)