La Nueva España (composition)

The poems can be performed individually or together. The compositional concept that underlines the cycle confirms the theatrical nature of Ferrero; each piece has its own colour, a specific character, but at the same time subtle thematic links hold the parts together, according to a well-calculated interplay of rhythmic, melodic and harmonic references.[2]

The cycle follows the chronological order of the historical events:

1. Presagios: the Aztec chronicles prophesy disaster in the years preceding the arrival of the Spanish.
2. Memoria del fuego: having laid anchor at Veracruz, Hernán Cortés orders the scuttling of the ships, to prevent mutiny by the crew.
3. La ruta de Cortés: the Spaniards set out across inaccessible mountains and after a march of more than a thousand kilometres they reach the Valley of Mexico.
4. El encuentro: Moctezuma and Cortés meet on the Great Causeway leading into the capital, Tenochtitlan.
5. La matanza del Templo Mayor: in the absence of Cortés and taking advantage of the religious ceremonies of the Aztecs in the Templo Mayor, the Spanish massacre them.
6. La noche triste: the Aztecs revolt and temporarily drive out the invaders. In their retreat, the Spanish suffer heavy casualties and legend has it that Cortés wept over their losses. This episode is called La Noche Triste and the old tree where this allegedly happened is still a monument in Mexico.

La Nueva España is scored for 2 flutes (also piccolo and bass flute), 2 oboe, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, harpe, piano, celesta, timpani, 3 percussions and strings.

In chronological order of recording:

• 1998. Lorenzo Ferrero: Different Views. CD recording (partial). BMG Ricordi.[3]
• 2000. Lorenzo Ferrero: La Nueva España. CD recording. Naxos Records.[4]

• Camplani, Clara and Patrizia Spinato Bruschi, eds. (2006). Dal Mediterraneo all’America. Storia, religione, cultura. Roma: Bulzoni Editore. ISBN 978-8878701137
• Napoli, Ettore, ed. (2010). Guida alla musica sinfonica. Varese: Zecchini Editore. ISBN 978-8865400012
• Wittry, Diane (2007). Beyond the Baton: What Every Conductor Needs to Know. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-977393-0

• Casa Ricordi Catalogue
• Casa Ricordi Digital Collection
  • Presagios
  • Memoria del fuego
  • La ruta de Cortés
  • El encuentro
  • La matanza del Templo Mayor
  • La noche triste
• La Nueva España video clip on YouTube