Orphenica Lyra - Chamber Music - Milan, L. / Aranes, J. / Mudarra, A. / Guerrero, F. / Martin Y Coll, A. / Ribera, A. / Ortiz, D. (2005)

We stand before Glossa's distinct and definitive contribution to the 4th centennial celebration of the Quixote: this is no "music in the times of...", nor an association of a composer to the myth on the sole basis of their coincidence in time, nor a work inspired by the novel, but precisely that which everybody felt to be missing: a kind of "soundtrack" for the Quixote, in which the musical references which pepper Cervantes great work and some of his Novelas Ejemplares are collected and lovingly performed. Romances and songs alternate with dances such as chaconnes, folías and jácaras, creating a beautiful and accurate musical landscape in which the reader will easily locate our hero's adventures.

This disc also marks the reencounter of José Miguel Moreno with his renewed group, Orphénica Lyra, after some rather quiet years on the discographic front. Nuria Rial, with a voice that soars to sublime heights of beauty, sensitivity, and agility, shares the scene with a surprising Raquel Andueza, and both sopranos are joined by the voice of Spain's probably best countertenor of the day, Jordi Domenech. On the instrumental level, an ensemble that knows how to convey the taste of an era like no other: Eligio Quinteiro, Fernando Paz, Fahmi Alqhai, and Álvaro Garrido, conducted from the vihuela by a Moreno in full command of his powers.