Despite achieving great success in the operatic scene, Pablo Sorozábal (1897-1988), born in Donostia and passing away in Madrid, maintained a profound connection with choral music throughout his extensive career. In fact, it was within the ranks of the vibrant choral movement of his native Basque Country where his artistic personality began to take shape, including his fascination with voice and theatre.

It’s no surprise, then, that he devoted some of his most intimate pages to these choirs, connecting them to his family heritage. In fact, his father, a stonecutter by trade, was also a talented bertsolari who shared his songs in the taverns of San Sebastián. From him, Sorozábal inherited a language, Basque, “that sounded like music” on his lips, and a deep love for folk music.

According to a tradition passed down through generations, as recounted by the writer Bernardo Atxaga from his great grandfather, Sorozábal’s ancestors, who hailed from the Portale farmhouse in the village of Larraul, near Asteasu, “whistled better than the birds” (“txoriek baino hobeto egiten diate txistu”)

Kea Vocal Ensemble
Enrique Azurza, Conductor 
Ana Otxoa, Soprano 
Marije Ugalde, Soprano 
Josu Cabrero, Tenor 
Mario Lerena, Piano 

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Kurkuma has 12 songs all composed by Irene Sorozabal. The music is perfomed by an ensemble that includes Kirsi-Marja Harju, Adrían Moncada, Pedro Ivo Ferreira and George Hadow .

Irene tells us “This album arises from an exploration of my own musical language which merges a variety of influences from early counterpoint to contemporary jazz. As a Classical musician, I sometimes feel trapped in a world of innumerable protocols and expectations, that is why when composing these songs, I tried to silence the critical inner voice which accepts only masterpieces and original ideas. Instead I sensed what was already there, ringing in my ears and tingling my belly.

I also explored the sensations and images surrounding the lyrics of my songs together with visual artist Kalliopi Ioumpa. She made wearable sculptures based on my compositions. These include: several plaster sculptures inspired by the song “Entre las uñas” (cover image, booklet page 8 and 9); several mix media sculptures inspired by “Windmill song” (page 10 and 11); black flowers, which are a recurrent symbol in my music; and a mobile with hanging representations of the five songs with lyrics (page 2).”

Kurkuma is exclusively available in Stereo and 5 Channel Surround Sound DSD 128 and DSD 256 and Stereo DSD 512 at NativeDSD.Com

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