HELEN TINTES-SCHUERMANN

• MS1192 Sample

Mezzo-soprano Helen Tintes-Schuermann has made a brilliant selection of songs, based upon the artistic quality of the composers, without a doubt five of the composers who have most influenced Spanish musical life in the 20th Century, and the texts, both literary and popular.  Manuel de Falla represents the most respected figure of Spanish national music: popular roots and cultivated music are united in his hands from circumstances that also marked the lives of Montsalvatge, Toldrá, Rodrigo, and Mompou: the wars, loss of the Spanish colonies (especially Cuba), exile (both personal and of contemporary colleagues), and the taste for mystical poetry. All of the songs on this disc already form part of the history of this great music and, despite their different aesthetic approaches, show the best poetic and chamber tradition of the Spanish Song Repertory from the 20th Century.

- Julio Alexis Muñoz

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Helen Tintes-Schuermann performs throughout the United States and in Europe in operatic roles including Carmen, Azucena, the Zia Principessa and the Witch ("Hansel and Gretel") and is heard frequently as a concert soloist and recitalist. She made her debut at the Staatstheater Kassel in Germany and has appeared with many international artists, including Dame Gwyneth Jones in "Elektra" (Teatro del Gran Liceu, Barcelona). She has sung numerous oratorios, 20th century works and in many world premieres in festivals throughout Austria, Spain, Germany and Switzerland, including the Festival du Monte Carlo, Festival de Ascona, Bodensee Festival, and Fest in Hellbrunn (Salzburg). In recent seasons, Tintes has appeared throughout the Southeast with orchestras including the Augusta Symphony, USC Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic and Bach Ensemble of Naples, Florida. She has performed frequently with Southern Exposure (USC) in works of New Music. Tintes specializes in both German and Spanish/Latin American repertoire and gives masterclasses and recitals throughout the United States and Europe.She holds the degree of Doctor of Music from Northwestern University, as well as degrees from the Mozarteum in Salzburg and the Escuela Superior de Canto in Madrid. Further, she is Director of the International Spanish Music Course (USC) and is currently on the faculty of USC (South Carolina).

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Julio Alexis Muñoz is one of the most outstanding pianists of the Spanish new generation of chamber musicians. He studied at Las Palmas and Madrid Royal Conservatories, Menuhin Music Academy, Gstaad, and the Franz Liszt Music Academy in Budapest. He received the First Prize of Las Palmas Conservatory (1988), Pedro Espinosa Piano Competition (1989) and Jeunesses Musicales (Chamber Music, 1990). The pianist has performed in concert halls throughout Europe, America, the Middle East and Japan as a soloist, in piano trio and especially in vocal repertoire. Important performances include: soloist of the OFGC in France and Czech tourne (accent aigue above the e), Bellas Artes of Mexico, and performances at the Auditorio Nacional in Madrid with tenor Manuel Cid. He performs frequently in recital with the great Spanish mezzo-soprano, Teresa Berganza, and has recorded for radio and television broadcast (RNE, Radio Bratislava) and CD for Sony Classical and EMEC, including world premiere performances of many works by contemporary composers. Maestro Muñoz is Vocal Repertoire Coach at the Escuela Superior de Canto in Madrid and gives masterclasses and seminars at the Fundacion Albeniz with Manuel Cid and with Teresa Berganza, at Musica en Compostela and in Japan. He is principal vocal coach at the International Spanish Music Course held near Madrid, Spain

MANUEL DE FALLA (1876-1946)
Canciones de Maria Lejarragara
El Pan de Ronda que sabe a verdad
Oración de las madres que tienen a sus hijos en brazos

EDUARDO TOLDRÁ (1895-1962)
Seis Canciones
La zagala alegre
Madre, Unos Ojuelos Ví
Mañanita de San Juan
Nadie puede ser dichoso
Cantarcillo
Después que te conocí

JOAQUIN RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Canciones Sefardies
Respóndemos
Nani, Nani
 “Morena” me llaman

TWO MYSTICAL SONGS
JOAQUÍN RODRIGO
Cantico de la Esposa
FEDERICO MOMPOU (1893-1987)
Cant del Alma

FEDERICO MOMPOU
Dos Melodias (Two Melodies)
Pastoral
Llueve sobre el rio

XAVIÉR MONTSALVATGE (1912-2002)
Cinco Canciónes Negras (Five Black Songs)
Cuba Dentro de un Piano
Punto de Habanera
Chévere
Canción de Cuna para Dormir a un Negrito
Canto Negro

GORDON GOODWIN
Para Entonces
 World Premiere Recording
Si Yo Te Rindo
Para Entonces
El Viento

MSR Classics