Leonard Balada receives XVIII SGAE Prize

December 17, 2021

Leonard Balada
Leonard Balada

Naxos sends its congratulations to Catalan composer Leonardo Balada, who has won this year’s XVIII SGAE Prize for Ibero-American Music ‘Tomás Luis de Victoria’. Organised by the SGAE Foundation, the award recognises Balada’s substantial contribution to the enrichment of the musical heritage of Ibero-American communities through his creative work and “for the universality of his musical language.”

Born in Barcelona in 1933, Balada said from Pittsburgh, his US home for the past 52 years: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award that has already recognised so many distinguished composers.”

A pioneer in synthesising ethnic music with avant-garde techniques, Balada expressed the hope “that I might have communicated, through music and teaching, that simple and direct techniques and musical writing can produce interesting effects. Also, that it is possible to produce something new, using existing traditions and techniques alongside the new.”

Balada has long combined his composition work with teaching. He was a professor at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh for 50 years until his retirement in August 2020.

He also has some 20 albums in the Naxos catalogue. These have caught the attention of critics not only for the excellence of the performances but also the quality of Balada’s skill as a composer: “Leonardo Balada is a great symphonist.” (Pizzicato on 8.573298); “Balada has a gift for instrumental layering and chatter.” (Gramophone on 8.573064); “ … inventive, smilingly uncompromising works …” (BBC Music Magazine on 8.557342); “Balada’s music is worth the attention of contemporary music lovers.” (Cinemusical on 8.573047).

 

BALADA, L.: Caprichos Nos. 6, 7 and 10 • Ballet City • Spiritual

BALADA, L.: Caprichos Nos. 6, 7 and 10 • Ballet City • Spiritual
8.579036

‘This is a fine addition to Naxos’s coverage of Balada’s music. The playing is mostly sensitive to the demands of this highly imaginative composer.’
American Record Guide


BALADA, L.: Cello Concerto No. 2, ‘New Orleans’ • Concerto for Four Guitars

BALADA, L.: Cello Concerto No. 2, ‘New Orleans’ • Concerto for Four Guitars
8.557049

‘Michael Sanderling plays a mean cello: the astonishing range of sounds that Balada requires holds no terrors for him, and he manages to preserve a highly attractive tone besides.’
ClassicsToday.com


BALADA, L.: Concerto for Piano, Winds and Percussion • Cello Concerto • Viola Concerto

BALADA, L.: Concerto for Piano, Winds and Percussion • Cello Concerto • Viola Concerto
8.573064

‘Balada has a gift for instrumental layering and chatter, and he takes the players to extremes of range and dynamics with almost giddy modernist delight.’
Gramophone


BALADA, L.: Guernica • Symphony No. 4 • Zapata

BALADA, L.: Guernica • Symphony No. 4 • Zapata
8.557342

‘These inventive, smilingly uncompromising works are performed here with great gusto, the rhythms and colours strongly projected.’
BBC Music Magazine ★★★★ / Pizzicato ★★★★★


BALADA, L.: Piano Concerto No. 3 • Concierto Mágico

BALADA, L.: Piano Concerto No. 3 • Concierto Mágico
8.555039

‘This is an exceptional disc all round. …the music benefits from outstanding performances from three able soloists and the Barcelona Symphony under José Serebrier’
ClassicsToday.com


BALADA, L.: Sinfonía en negro: Homage to Martin Luther King

BALADA, L.: Sinfonía en negro: Homage to Martin Luther King
8.573047

‘Textures are crystal clear and intonation, so very important in works of this type, is spot on throughout. Every section of the orchestra manages to show off their skill very well. Balada’s music is worth the attention of contemporary music lovers.’
Cinemusical ★★★★


BALADA, L.: Symphony No. 6 • Concerto for Three Cellos and Orchestra • Steel Symphony

BALADA, L.: Symphony No. 6 • Concerto for Three Cellos and Orchestra • Steel Symphony
8.573298

‘Leonardo Balada is a great symphonist and his music is well served in these recommendable recordings.’
Pizzicato ★★★★


BALADA, L.: Violin Concerto No. 1 • Folk Dreams • Sardana • Fantasías Sonoras

BALADA, L.: Violin Concerto No. 1 • Folk Dreams • Sardana • Fantasías Sonoras
8.554708

‘Violinist Andrés Cárdenes gives a warm, tender and finely characterised performance and the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, under Matthias Aeschbacher, responds with precision.’
The Strad