Sacred light, Spanish soul

Guitarist Xuefei Yang and violinist Harriet Mackenzie, perform a programme inspired by the emotional power and human depth of the 17th-century Spanish painter Francisco de Zurbarán.

Part I, ‘The Sacred and The Folk’, traces a path from the contemplative simplicity of the traditional 'Spanish Romance' to the dramatic chiaroscuro of Isaac Albéniz’s 'Asturias', where percussive guitar textures evoke the stark contrasts of light and shadow that define Zurbarán’s canvases.

A Baroque reflection follows in John Eccles’s ‘Mad Lover’s Aire’, echoing the sound world of 17th-century Seville, before Manuel de Falla’s ‘Six Popular Songs’ transform folk melodies into refined art music, much as Zurbarán elevated humble figures and everyday objects into images of profound spiritual resonance.

Part II, ‘Memory, Melancholy and Fire’, turns inward and then outward in a sequence of increasing virtuosity and colour. Francisco Tárrega’s ‘Recuerdos de la Alhambra’ shimmers with tremolo-woven nostalgia, its intimate lyricism recalling Zurbarán’s later still lifes, before the poised introspection of John Dowland’s ‘Flow My Tears’ and ‘The Frog Galliard’ offers quiet reflection. The programme culminates in the fiery brilliance of Pablo de Sarasate’s ‘Spanish Dances’ and closes with the exuberant sweep of de Falla’s ‘Spanish Dance No. 1’, distilling the rhythmic spirit of Spain into a jubilant final flourish.

The programme has been curated in collaboration with Music in Action, a Jersey charity that uses the power of music to inspire, create and educate.

Programme

Part I: 'The Sacred and The Folk' (~30 min)

Spanish Traditional - 'Spanish Romance' (3’)

Isaac Albéniz - 'Asturia's (6’)

Henry Eccles - 'Mad Lover’s Aire' (4’)

Manuel de Falla - 'Six Popular Songs' (10’)

Part II: 'Memory, Melancholy and Fire' (~30 min)

Francisco Tárrega - 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra' (5’)

Gaspar Sanz - 'Canarios' (3’)

John Dowland - Two Pieces ('Flow My Tears'; The Frog Galliard') (6’) Pablo de Sarasate - 'Three Spanish Dances' (14’)

Manuel de Falla - 'Spanish Dance No. 1 (4’)

Xuefei Yang is acclaimed as one of the world’s finest classical guitarists and a musical pioneer. Emerging in post-Cultural Revolution China, she was the first guitarist to enter a music school there and the first Chinese guitarist to gain international recognition.

She made her debut at age 10, earning early acclaim and support from figures such as Joaquín Rodrigo and John Williams. Since then, she has performed in over 50 countries at major venues worldwide, collaborating with leading orchestras and artists including Ian Bostridge, Roberto Alagna and Sir James Galway.

Her recordings have received widespread praise. Her first received a gold disc and her second was selected as ‘Editor’s Choice’ in ‘Gramophone’ magazine. She is recognised for expanding the guitar repertoire and bridging musical traditions. Classic FM, named Fei as one of the 100 top classical musicians of our time and ‘BBC Music Magazine’ named her as one of the top six guitarists of the last century. ‘Gramophone’ praised her as one of the leading innovators of her generation for continuing to build the guitar repertoire.

Harriet Mackenzie is an internationally renowned soloist, composer, arranger and curator. She has performed across five continents. Recordings include concertos with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Philharmonic, Orchestra Nova and English Symphony Orchestra. These have received international acclaim, including five-star review in The Times, Editor's Choice in ‘Gramophone’ and a nomination for 'Recording of The Year' in Music Web International.