Leonardo Balada (b. 1933) is a contemporary Spanish composer heavily influenced by native Catalan folk music who also manages to transcend the imposing presence and influence of his countryman Manuel de Falla. Witness the extraordinary Violin Concerto of 1982, most of whose 26 minutes is devoted to the pyrotechnics of the soloist, in this case Andres Cardenes, whose skill easily matches the temperament of this beautiful--and decidedly original--work. Folk Dreams shows influences that range beyond Spain's borders--Latvia and Ireland, to be specific. The Latvian melody, called "Line and Thunder", is particularly striking. Sardana of 1979 evokes more of a western Mediterranean mood than a specifically Spanish one, with all sorts of playfully shrill violins and dance motifs. Flamenco rhythms inform the Fantasias Sonoras (1987), which is something of a concerto for orchestra that highlights not only each instrument and orchestral section but also Balada's ear for common melodies and his ability to incorporate them in a wide range of rhythmic structures. The Barcelona Symphony Orchestra takes to this music quite well and the sound quality--typical for Naxos these days--is rich and full. Give this one a listen.