OPINIONS
FROM GREAT COMPOSERS ON HECTOR’S WORK
“I wanted to congratulate you and send you my
admiration for your works. Chamber Symphony and Chroma are quite extraordinary,
for instance. The complexity and density combine with articulation and
Heraclitean fluidity...”
Jonathan Harvey, the 20th February 2006
“Your piece [Karst –Chroma II] sounded marvellous - it was, as far as I could
judge, well played. It had conviction, precision and concentration. I found
your dense intensity absolutely fascinating and strongly purposeful. Thanks so
much for enriching this final concert of the Festival! ”
Jonathan Harvey , the 31st August 2010
“Thanks very much for these words of appreciation -
they mean a lot to me coming from you - a leader of the new generation. Your
piece [Karst –Chroma II] was quite extraordinary - I never heard anything like
that before! High density of formal change and subtle emotional fluidity, all
perfectly articulate despite the speed at which things happen. Expressive of
something really new, a new sensibility. ”
Jonathan Harvey , the 25th October 2010
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“The overall scope of the Antigone Cycle by Hèctor
Parra is notably impressive. Each combination, whilst sharing many over—arching
stylistic aspects with all other components, reveals a unique insight brought
to bear by the composer in the application of there stylistic constants to the specific
sonic worlds confronted. In this sense, the “Antigone Cycle” contrives to
sustain a high level of linguistic integrity at the same time as stretching
individual formulations almost to expressive breaking point. The extended
instrumental/vocal techniques employed throughout evoke a further dimension, in
that their resolutely auto-referential immediacy conspires to create a void or
gap with respect to the organisational principles applied – a void, which, in
my opinion, is an essential marker of a truly tragic expression.
I congratulate
Mr. Parra on the successful completion of this original and demanding work.”
Brian Ferneyhough /
IRCAM,
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“It was on
occasion of a concert of the Ensemble Intercontemporain that I heard the music
of Hèctor Parra for the first time. I was immediately attracted by that mixture
between complex thought and a strongly « lyrical » expressiveness. Afterwards,
while discovering other scores, I met again that alchemy, enriched by a natural
talent for the orchestra. I am very sensitive to this world where thought,
magic of the sound and artistry surround themselves.”
Michael
Jarrell,
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“Hèctor Parra is one of Catalonia’s most talented
young composers. The combination of a profound knowledge of composition that,
in line with the tenor of the times, includes computer and electroacoustic
approaches, and his very great gifts as a pianist, Héctor Parra stands out as a
rigorous musician in all the formal aspects of his compositions. It is clear
that his connection with IRCAM in
Joan Guinjoan (29th October 2006)