And now something off the beaten path…
Mexican pianist Argentina Durán (Fernández) releases a curated collection of works by Mexican composers from different eras and styles, Rapsodia Medicana (Mexican Rhapsody). Durán’s debut recording, El Sonido de la Plata (Self Produced, 2022), was similarly themed presenting works my Mexican composers in chronological order. Mexican concert music is often neglected outside of its home and Durán has taken it upon herself to remedy this by intense study of the materials and practiced preparation for recording.
On Rapsodia Medicana, Durán takes an impressively progressive approach to diving the impressionistic character from the piano. Her performance articulation and attention to detail reward the listener with a colorful and panoramic exposition of an array of Mexican composers, including Manuel M. Ponce, Felipe Villanueva, José Rolón, Luis G. Jordá, and Jesús Corona. Durán’s robust introduction, Ponce’s suite “Cuatro Danzas Mexicanas",” reveals music of exquisite brio, bristling with ideas and pathos.
Her commanding articulation gives the music a shimmering, cinematic character that is universial. Villanueva’s “Amar…(Nocturno)” provides a delicate structure within which Durán perfoms, as much a part of the piece as the performance. Durán approaches Corona’s title piece with grave pondering that gives way to waves of dimenuendo and cresendo, each with added complexity and emotion. Expressive and extroverted, Durán’s playing is a marvel and pleasure. The music she plays deserves wider performance and recognition.