Florencio Asenjo: The Batrachomyomachia

Dive into the rich and imaginative world of Florencio Asenjo's "The Batrachomyomachia," a captivating orchestral journey that blends ancient literature with modern compositional techniques. This album, released on Albany Records in 2011, showcases Asenjo's unique maximalist style through three distinct works, each inspired by classic tales.

The album opens with "The Batrachomyomachia," a whimsical and humorous orchestral piece based on the ancient Greek parody of the Iliad, "The Battle of the Frogs and the Mice." This work is a delightful exploration of myth and humor, brought to life by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Kirk Trevor.

Following this, the album delves into the enchanting world of Yasunari Kawabata's "Palm-of-the-Hand Stories" with a series of incidental music pieces. These ten tracks, each titled after a different narrative from Kawabata's collection, offer a musical journey through the Japanese author's evocative and intimate vignettes. From the serene "A Sunny Place" to the whimsical "The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket," these pieces are a testament to Asenjo's ability to capture the essence of literary works through music.

The album concludes with "Basile's Pentameron," a suite inspired by the tales of Giambattista Basile, an Italian writer known for his influence on the fairy tale genre. This section includes works like "Cat Cinderella" and "The Old Woman Discovered," each offering a unique musical interpretation of Basile's enchanting stories.

With a total duration of just under an hour, "The Batrachomyomachia" is a compelling listen from start to finish. Florencio Asenjo's compositions, performed by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, offer a rich and engaging experience that will captivate both classical music enthusiasts and those new to the genre.