Eduard Toldrà was born in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Catalonia, Spain, on April 7, 1895, and died in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain on May 31, 1962. The premiere of Vistes al mar took place at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona on May 31, 1921, performed by the Quartet Renaixement. Approximate performance time is sixteen minutes.
Violinist, composer, and conductor Eduard Toldrà was a central, influential figure in 20th century Catalan music. Toldrà was co-founder and first violinist of the Quartet Renaixement, a chamber ensemble that excelled in both established and contemporary repertoire. In 1944, Toldrà founded the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra at the Palau de la Música Catalana. Toldrà’s many compositions span a range of vocal and instrumental genres.
Toldrà’s Vistes al mar (Sea Views) originated as a work for string quartet. The composer’s Quartet Renaixement premiered Vistes al mar at the Palau de la Música Catalana on May 31, 1921. Toldrà later created the version for string orchestra performed on this concert.
Vistes al mar is based upon poetry by the Catalan author Joan Maragall (1860-1911). In the score for Vistes al mar, verse by Maragall precedes each of the work’s three movements. La ginesta (Weaver’s Broom. Allegro con brio) describes a seaside harvest of weaver’s broom, often considered Catalonia’s national flower. Allà a les ilunyanies de la mar (There in the Sea’s Distance. Lento) is a nocturne, with the moonlit waves providing the song. In the finale, La mar estava alegre (The Sea Was Happy. Molto vivace), boats dance along the sun-swept ocean.