ACMF 2023: Lost in Plain Sight: Cassadó and His Lost Iberian Legacy

This concert is a continuation of the enlightening concert discussion from 2022 with Dr. H Rosi Song, exploring the 20th century catalan composer, Gaspar Cassadó. We offer a juxtaposition of Cassadó’s music paired with Derrick Skye’s “American Mirrors” which draws on a rich tapestry of colors and expression of America. Program format is lecture/recital with research presented by Dr. H Rosi Song between pieces. This concert is made possible in part by Shepherd University and Durham University (UK).

An exploration of the work of Spanish Catalan cellist and composer Gaspar Cassadó (1897-1966). Regarded as one of the top cellists of the 20th century whose work continues to be played worldwide, his name and history remain mostly forgotten in Spain and abroad. An early advocate for the modern cello, he played an active role in trying to expand the repertoire for cellists, composing and collaborating with composers of his time like Luigi Dallapiccola (1904-75) who dedicated a concerto to him. Today, his name remains connected to that of his world-famous teacher, Pablo Casals (1876-1973), and fraught by the complicated legacy of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Cassadó’s significance in cello performance and composition deserve a new look as his works reflect important musical trends in pre-war Europe regarding the concept of a regional or national sound. As part of a research project to recover his legacy while examining of what could be identified or understood as a “Spanish sound” in 20th century classical music, the recital presents a combination of lecture and performance, where the audience is invited to learn about the life and work of Cassadó in conversation with the work of other composers.