A Night In Spain - Whittemore & Lowe

 

Granados

A Night In Spain

Whittemore and Low - Duo Pianists

Produced by Richard Jones

Back Cover Photo: Chuck Stewart

Capitol Records SP8500

1959

From the back cover: Arthur Whittemore and Jack Lowe first met at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where both were scholarship students in composition. They became good friends and often played two-piano music together. When vacationing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, they gave a concert which was such an astonishing success that, after returning home, they decided to concentrate on a joint concert career. They made their official debut at New York's Town Hall in 1940.

Now top ranking in their field, Whittemore and Lowe are in constant demand as soloists with America's leading orchestras, and they invariably have an enthusiastic audience for their annual coast-to-coast recital tours. Their superb duo-playing and stimulating programs have placed them in the vanguard of American concert attractions. In their recitals and concert appearances, Whittemore and Lowe have pioneered, playing contemporary music as well as works from their broad repertoire of classics. They have commissioned several works from contemporary composers, including Ernst Krenek and Morton Gould, and they have the exclusive performance rights for Quincy Porter's Concerto for Two Pianos, which won the 1954 Pulitzer Prize for music.

From Billboard - November 16, 1959: This disk is a prime example of superior musicianship. Whittemore and Lowe, noted duo-pianists, offer excellent performances and fine readings of six compositions reflecting various aspects of Spain. Program includes Falla's "Ritual Fire Dance," Lecuona's "Malaguena," Ravel's "Bolero," and an interesting piano version of violinist's Kreisler's "La Gitana." Top item for collectors.

Albeniz: Triana (from Iberia)

Granados: The Maiden and the Nightingale

Falla: Jota / Nana (from Seven Spanish Folk Songs)

Ritual Fire Dance (from El Amor burro)

Lecuona: Melaguena (from Andalucia)

Kreisler: La Gitana

Ravel: Piece en forme de habanera / Bolero