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Mirta Gomez and Sahily Canovas
A Life in Music in Memory of Alicia de Larrocha on her 100th Anniversary
Mateo Albéniz: Sonata en Re Mayor
Enrique Granados: Danza Española No. 5 Andaluza (Playera)
Isaac Albéniz: Asturius (Leyenda)
Ernesto Lecuona: Malagueña
Alicia de Larrocha: “Pecados de Juventud”, Invitación, Coral
Fazil Say: Winter Morning in Istanbul
J. Levitt: The Villians
Astor Piazzolla: Libertango
Alicia de Larrocha is considered one of the most important pianists of the 20th century. His artistic career spanned five continents and, over 74 years on stage, he gave more than 4,000 concerts and recitals in the most important halls and with the most prestigious orchestras and conductors. However, due to his great discretion and his interest in appearing as little as possible in the media, his recognition has been limited to the field of classical music and he is an unknown person to most people who are not tied to this world or do not have this hobby.
This ignorance means that the commemoration of the centenary of his birth becomes a great opportunity so that, above all, new generations can know who he was and what his figure represented, both nationally and internationally.
She was one of the main ambassadors of the music of Catalan and Spanish composers in the world. The works of Father Antoni Soler, Manuel de Falla, Isaac Albéniz, Enric Granados, Joaquín Turina, Xavier Montsalvatge, Frederic Mompou, etc., were a regular part of their programs, but also those of Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Schubert, Brahms, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Grieg, Debussy, Ravel, Rakhmàninov… To categorize her, as is often done, as a pianist “specializing in Spanish music” is to ignore her extensive repertoire, which must be vindicated also taking advantage of this celebration.
She was a woman who, in a time when the musical environment was dominated by the male gender, made her way without this fact representing any obstacle. His goal was never to achieve fame, but the mere fact of making music, which was his true vocation.
Forming a family did not mean an impediment in his career either. She was fortunate to have the unconditional support of her husband, Joan Torra, who, as he was her number one admirer, abandoned his fledgling career as a pianist to support her and facilitate family reconciliation, taking care not only of her two children when she was not there but also of everything that could help her, both in the family and the artistic aspect.
In this commemoration, we count on the collaboration and participation of different cultural entities, programmers, festivals, pianists, etc. so that the year 2023 can serve as a platform to help spread the legacy and memory of this great pianist, a task that, in a completely altruistic way, we have been doing her children since our mother died, as the Alicia de Larrocha archive, started by our father, in the process of cataloging since 2011, and which, since 2016, is available to the public, either via the internet or in person, with prior appointment.
Concerts dedicated to her memory, conferences, round tables, exhibitions, screening of the documentary Les mans d’Alícia … All this, together with the involvement of the media (press, radio, and television), are projects that will make the name of ‘Alícia de Larrocha has the repercussion she deserves, as she is one of the most relevant personalities in the culture of our country.
Alicia Torra Larrocha
N Blanco Y Negro piano duo was founded in 2017 and their first recital took place the same year in Miami, FL. The USA. Since then, the Duo has performed in USA & Europe. In the year 2021, that musical affinity and virtuosity won them 3 International Competitions. Gold Medal in Macedonia, Laureate in France, and Gold Medal in Italy. The pianists, both of Cuban descent, have studied in USA & USSR. Mirta Gomez is a graduate of the Juilliard School in New York City and Sahily Canovas is a graduate of the Kiev & Odessa States Conservatories. Both artists have performed as soloists in the USA, Canada, South America & Europe. Sahily & Mirta play Steinway Pianos.