**** Piano is the instrument that Waldo Geuns plays to tell you about his soul-stirring feelings without words. With words he does it too and then he plays the keyboard of the computer to convert musicality into words. Read and listen along.
Spanish tales in print
Allow me to start with the booklet 'Spanish tales'. You read in it how profoundly Waldo Geuns was moved by Enrique Granados' (piano) works. He takes the reader through the life and dramatic end of Granados in this world. I won't go into details, you'll read them in the fluently written story that I don't want to call a tale, but rather a narrative. Because that's what Waldo does, telling with love and passion about a composer who touched his musical heart like a first love.
The 5-part work 'Goyescas' has been beautifully described by Geuns part by part and just as the author was inspired to philosophize narratively, or rather tellingly, to bring text and music together, so Granados was captivated by the Spanish court painter Goya. The five parts, actually ballades, are each the story of a Goya painting that Granados transformed into music. All of this together led to Waldo Geuns' inspiration for how he had to interpret and not only that, he also wrote a composition with which the CD opens, written entirely in the same atmosphere. You're welcome to call it the sixth part of the Goyescas for my part, Geuns' Amor a prima vista, yes, love at first sight. And now you must read the booklet and afterwards listen to the cd, or do it the other way around or together. Do whatever works best for you.
Spanish tales on cd
If you were to put on the cd without looking, you wouldn't realize that the first work is not by Enrique Granados. And be assured, it is exceptionally difficult to slip into someone else's skin like this, so you must be more than a specialized expert to notice it immediately. Geuns is Granados who in turn is Goya. Just look at the paintings, read the booklet and then hear it in the playing of Waldo Geuns. It is one continuous whole. Add to that the friendly courtesy that the pianist radiates and you have him or he has you completely captivated. The Steinway translates the Spanish character, with Flemish influence - still undeniable how Spanish Waldo Geuns becomes - and makes you dream away. It is not an interpretation with flamenco overtones, fortunately because that happens far too often with the performance of Spanish work, but a gentle play with light and faultless touch. It is a platonic declaration of love.
Well, the booklet and the cd can also be an Amor a prima vista. Why do I suddenly have the urge to travel to Spain?
- WHAT: Cuentos de Amor – Enrique Granados: Goyescas – Los majos enamorados / Waldo Geuns: Amor a primera vista
- WHO: Waldo Geuns, piano
- PUBLISHER: Antarctica Records, 2018, Myrizaal Gent, mastering by Steven Maes - Motor Music Mastering AR 007
