Cantos de Amor

Cantos de amor are by Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, a great 19th Century poet from Seville - a dreamer who died of tuberculosis at the age of 34! The 'loves' in his poetry are not anyone specific, but mostly his inspirational muse. I found the poems in Becquer's collection Rimas y Legendas (Rhymes and Legends) and dedicated its as a wedding gift to my brother P.J. and his newlywed, Lourdes. The text is highly romantic with extremes of joy and despair. The first movement juxtaposes very rhythmic passages with gentle passion. The second is lyrical and the third sparse and simple. The following Interlude changes the mood to the passion of the final movement. Cantos de amor was commissioned by the Chester Summer Music Festival, with funds made available by North West Arts and first performed at the festival by DOMUS. The work was received numerous performances in the UK, South America and the United States.