**** Piano is the instrument that Waldo Geuns plays to tell you about his soul-stirring emotions without words. With words he does it too and then he plays the keyboard of the computer to convert the musicality into words. Read and listen along.
Spanish Tales in Book Form
Allow me to start with the booklet 'Spanish Tales'. You read in it how deeply Waldo Geuns was moved by Enrique Granados' (piano) works. He takes the reader through the life and dramatic end of Granados in this world. I won't go into details, you'll read them in the fluently written story that I don't want to call a tale, but rather a narrative. Because that is what Waldo does, tell with love and passion about a composer who touched his musical heart like a first love.
The 5-part work 'Goyescas' has been beautifully described by Geuns part by part and just as the author was inspired to philosophize narratively, or shall we say tellingly, to bring text and music together, so Granados was captivated by the Spanish court painter Goya. The five parts, actually ballades, each tell the story of a Goya painting that Granados transformed into music. All of this together led to Waldo Geuns' inspiration for how he should interpret and not only that, he also wrote a composition that opens the CD, which is written entirely in the same atmosphere. You may call it the sixth part of the Goyescas as far as I'm concerned, Geuns' Amor a primera vista, yes, love at first sight. And now you must read the booklet and then listen to the cd, or do it the other way around or together. Do it however works best for you.
Spanish Tales on CD
If you were to put on the cd without looking, you wouldn't notice that the first work is not by Enrique Granados. And rest assured, it is exceptionally difficult to slip into the skin of another like this, so you must be a more than specialized expert to notice it immediately. Geuns is Granados who in turn is Goya. Just look at the paintings, read the booklet and then hear it in the playing of Waldo Geuns. It is one continuous whole. Add to that the friendly courtesy that the pianist radiates and you have him or he has you completely in his grip. The Steinway translates the Spanish character, with Flemish influence - still, one cannot deny how Spanish Waldo Geuns also becomes - and makes you dream away. It is not an interpretation with a flamenco flavor, fortunately because that happens far too much when performing Spanish works, but a soft play with a light and flawless touch. It is a platonic declaration of love.
Well, the booklet and the cd can also be an Amor a primera vista. Why do I suddenly feel like traveling to Spain?
- WHAT: Cuentos de Amor – Enrique Granados: Goyescas – Los majos enamorados / Waldo Geuns: Amor a primera vista
- WHO: Waldo Geuns, piano
- PUBLISHER: Antarctica Records, 2018, Myrizaal Gent, mastering by Steven Maes - Motor Music Mastering AR 007