KEBYART, Concerto for Sax Quartet and Orchestra (Fernandez-Barrero) & Orquestra Sinfònica del Vallés

0:00 I. Miradors (Viewpoints) 9:03 II. Passatges (Passages) 18:22 III. Cant-Onades (Corners) ________________________________________________ Work by Fernandez-Barrero premiered by the Kebyart and the Orquestra Simfònica del Vallés at Palau de la Música (Barcelona) on 5 October 2024 conduced by Marc Timón. KEBYART Pere Méndez Marsal (saxo soprano) Víctor Serra Noguera (saxo altp) Robert Seara Mora (saxo tenor) Daniel Miguel Guerrero (saxo barítono) _________________________________________________ Commissioned funded by the Beques Crea Barcelona 2023 of the City Cuncil of Barcelona (ICUB) in collaboration with the Palau de la Música and the Orquestra Sinfónica del Vllés. This a musical exploration that seeks to capture the essence of the captivating city of Barcelona through the innovative fusion of big data and artistic expression. Composed for saxophone quartet as a soloist and orchestra, this concerto is a sonic manifestation of the city's beauty, inspiration, reflection, and magic, derived from the extrapolation of vast data collected from its vibrant streets The composition draws inspiration from the city's breathtaking panoramic viewpoints, where one can immerse oneself in the enchanting nocturnal lights that illuminate the bustling streets below. The opening movement, "Miradors" reflects the grandeur and beauty of Barcelona's skyline, with the saxophone quartet and orchestra intertwining to create a sonic landscape that mirrors the dazzling lights and energy of the metropolis. Moving into the second movement, "Passatges" the concerto explores the quieter, more intimate aspects of Barcelona. Inspired by the cozy passages and hidden corners where passersby connect with the vibrant streets, this section offers a reflective and tranquil musical experience. The saxophone quartet weaves delicate motives, inviting the listener to immerse themselves in the serene ambiance of these hidden and old gems within the city. In the third movement, titled "Cant-Onades," the music delves into a play on words that evokes the corners of Barcelona's Modernism. Some tunes emerge with the energy and dynamism of the city, while the undulating textures recall the constant ebb and flow of the Mediterranean Sea. Amidst this amalgamation of chants and waves ("cant" and "onades" in Catalan), the music also incorporates some angular, edging and abruptness qualities (with "cantonada" also meaning corner in Catalan), which are instrumentally altered to add rounded, softer, and more plastic qualities to the musical texture. This contrast aims to depict the architectural heritage of Catalan Modernism present in Eixample, where hash material like metal and stone were used to avoid sharp corners to shape