Basque Christmas Suite

Francisco de Madina (1907-1972), also known as Aita Madina, received his education in Bordeaux and was ordained a priest in 1929.  He served his first parish in Buenos Aires and became director of a school in Cuidad de Salta.  During this time, he began to develop as a composer and started to premiere his work in Buenos Aires.  His primary influences included Debussy, Ravel and Prokofiev.  In 1955, he moved to New York, where he founded a residence for the Lateran Canons Regular.  His music began to enjoy performances in America and Spain.  The Basque Christmas Suite, a short work for choir and orchestra, is characterized by short, contrasting sections and a festive, tuneful energy. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): Hp.Clst: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Mix Chor.