The term salón in the title of this release is more than just an evocative concept; the music included is, for the most part, of the genre known as salon music (or, for one derogatory writer, "potted-palm music"). Salon music flourished in many countries and gave rise to a largely neglected Latin American repertory of whose rediscovery this album by Mexican pianist Jorge Federico Osorio is part. It was music for use in middle-class homes, modest in technical demands and rooted in the dances and genre pieces of the 19th ...
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The term salón in the title of this release is more than just an evocative concept; the music included is, for the most part, of the genre known as salon music (or, for one derogatory writer, "potted-palm music"). Salon music flourished in many countries and gave rise to a largely neglected Latin American repertory of whose rediscovery this album by Mexican pianist Jorge Federico Osorio is part. It was music for use in middle-class homes, modest in technical demands and rooted in the dances and genre pieces of the 19th century, the waltz above all. Most of this release is devoted to three composers: Manuel Ponce, the only famous one of the group, who composed in an extended salon-type language in the first half of the 20th century. He is joined by two of his immediate predecessors, Ricardo Castro (whose name is hilariously butchered in the CD booklet) and Felipe Villanueva. The language of both adds a bit of popular-inspired Mexican flair to the well-worn European waltz and mazurka. Osorio wisely...
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