Luis Humberto Salgado was one of Ecuador’s most influential composers. His output encompasses nearly every genre of western European concert music, and seamlessly blends both nationalist and modernist styles. Most of these miniature pieces were inspired by the musical folklore of Salgado’s home country, while works such as the Sanjuanito futurista and the Violin Sonata are more modernist. From the lullaby Aldita to the folk-dance infused Piano Quintet no.2, these world-premiere recordings reveal a vibrant and creative voice.

This release follows a first volume on Naxos 8579128 released in January 2023 which was admired by BBC Music Magazine for its ‘Beautiful performances in crystal-clear sound’. Luis Humberto Salgado is virtually unheard of on recordings, and as part of our Latin American Classics series we hope to raise the profile of this surprisingly neglected but brilliant and highly diverse composer.

Of Vol.1 the American Record Guide commented that ‘Salgado is a very fine composer who deserves much wider exposure, and the Kansas Virtuosi have done the music world a great service by recording these works’.

Kansas Virtuosi are artist faculty members and alumni of the School of Music at the University of Kansas. With individual performance credentials spanning six continents, major symphony orchestras, and leading opera and musical theatre companies, the ensemble represents the finest collection of musical artists in the state of Kansas and the American Heartland.