This CD, released in celebration of the Euskadi Symphony Orchestra’s 20th anniversary, features music by Basque composers Jesús Guridi, José M. Usandizaga, Jesus Arambarri, Andrés Isasi, Francisco Escudero and Maurice Ravel (his mother was Basque and he spoke the Basque language). The selections were taken from the first five volumes of Claves’ Basque Music Collection and a special release featuring Ravel, a production which took shape during the orchestra’s successful tour of South America.

The original recordings were made at the orchestra’s home in San Sebastian and feature soloists Ricardo Requejo, Asier Polo, Maria Bayo, Jonathan Carney, Marta Zabaleta, Angel Pazos and Joaquín Achucarro. The orchestra is led by conductors Gilbert Varga, Cristian Mandeal, Miguel Angel Gomez Martinez, Gabriel Chmura, Enrique Garcia Asensio and Arturo Tamayo. Two choirs with whom the orchestra has closely collaborated are also featured, the Orfeon Donostiarra and the Andra Mari Choir. Each CD in the Basque Music Collection pays tribute to a specific composer by featuring his most well-known symphonic works, most of which are world premiere recordings.

20 April 2002 marks the 20th anniversary of the Euskadi Symphony Orchestra (Basque National Orchestra). Founded in 1982, the orchestra was pioneered and nurtured by the Basque Department of Culture and the Arts. Since its inception it has given more than 1.700 concerts and has established itself as a firm and indispensable part of cultural life in the Basque country, as testified to by its 6.000 season ticket holders. Gilbert Varga and Cristian Mandeal are the orchestra’s current musical directors.