This recording presents three exemplary representatives of modern Catalan instrumental music. Salvador Brotons’ Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, Op. 70 , composed in 1995, is a lilting composition oriented toward the future. Xavier Montsalvatge, one of the dominating figures of contemporary Catalan music, offers two works from the 1970’s: the Concerto-Cappriccio for Harp and Orchestra and the Serenade for Lydia de Cadaqués for Flute and Orchestra.

And composer/performer Lluís Benejam wrote his Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra in America in 1967. The four concertos are marked by lively rhythms, attractive melodies, impressionistic colors, temperate dissonances and virtuosio solos. They exude the vibrant colors and warm spirit of the Catalan people without employing folk or nationalistic elements.

The Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya was founded in 1944 and is currently led by Lawrence Foster. Over the course of more than 50 years, the ensemble has performed the premieres of countless compositions and has made numerous recordings. It has performed on tour in Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Korea, Japan and Romania.