Balada Sixth Symphony To Mark Spanish Civil War Anniversary

Among mankind's foremost obligations is remembrance and Spanish-American composer Leonardo Balada has composed his Symphony No. 6 and subtitled it "Symphony of Sorrows," dedicating it to "the innocent victims of the Spanish Civil War." The year 2006 marks the 70th anniversary (1936-39) of the great human tragedy in which thousands perished and neither side won.

Although not programmatic or polemical, Balada's single-movement, 18-minute symphony depicts an atmosphere that ranges from quiet, desolate suffering to volcanic explosiveness and brutality. A two-note melodic interval appears obsessively throughout, relentlessly reminding the listener of the fateful hopelessness endured by all who were drawn into the fray. As in many earlier works, Balada blends avant-garde techniques with traditional melodic ideas such as the "Himno de Riego," flag song of the republican forces, as well as "Cara al Sol," the tune commonly associated with Franco's insurgency.

The Symphony No. 6 ("Symphony of Sorrows"), commissioned by the Barcelona Symphony, will be given its world premiere on February 26, 2006 by the commissioning ensemble. It is published by Beteca Music.