Nana de los que no duermen (2014)
(for soprano and pianoforte)

The Nana de los que no duermen (“Lullaby of the Sleepless”) was commissioned by Festival internacional de música y danza de Granada on the occasion of the centenary of Manuel de Falla's Seven Spanish Folk Songs. In my piece I have referred to the lullaby contained in this cycle, both harmonically and through the literal adoption of the text. But the most important starting point of my composition is the exploration of the relationship between voice and piano, which – far from the traditional notion of melody and accompaniment – merge into a single instrument. This fusion results in two contrasting textures: a clear, transparent one in the high register and a moving, noisy texture in the lower regions. The two constantly alternate and overlap, creating a restlessness that would prevent rather than promote sleep. The Nana de los que no duermen is therefore dedicated to all insomniacs; to those who question reality and do not resign themselves to appearances.

Elena Mendoza