JUNE 2023 | The Piano Music of Francisco Mignone | Martin Jones | Nimbus NI8113

The octogenarian English pianist Martin Jones, has shown himself to be a widely appreciated interpreter of Spanish music, producing a series of fine individual albums which form part of an impressive discography of some 40 recordings. In 2008 he some branched out into Latin America with the critically acknowledged complete piano music of the Argentine composer, Guastavino, and now he has crossed the border into Brazil with a collection of pieces by Francisco Mignone. 

 

Mignone was born in 1897 and was encouraged by his musical  family from an early age and completed his studies in Milan. Through the encouragement of Mario de Andrade he became interested in folkloric culture and developed a style that is imbued with Afro-Brazilian sounds and rhythms. He recorded as both a conductor and pianist and though there are a few monographic recordings of his music he remains under-represented in the current catalogue, when compared to his near contemporary Guarnieri. 

 

The strongly lyrical and nationalistic element of Mignone’s music is very much to the fore in this fine new recording by Martin Jones, who has chosen an excellent cross-section of works over a recording time of 68 minutes. Despite this being his first venture into Mignone’s music, Jones has a clear affinity for its style and content, with a graceful and rhythmically flexible approach. I particularly enjoyed the delightful four Sonatinas of 1949, around which the program is essentially based. Offset against these more formal pieces is a slection of shorter characteristic works which help give an excellent perspective of the composer's style. The overall impression is quite beguiling particularly as the music is well presented and ordered, so it plays through very well. There is much which stays in the memory, like the distinctive lilt of the Valses de esquina ('Steet-corner' waltzes) and the Lendas sertenjas with their melancholy rustic charm. As with his past recordings for Nimbus, Jones is very well served with an excellent recording, alongside informative booklet notes. I happily recommend this release to seasoned listeners and newcomers alike, who I hope will be encouraged to explore Mignone’s particular brand of Braziliana further.