Mac McClure plays Migajas by Ricard Lamote de Grignon

Ricard Lamote de Grignon i Ribas was born in 1899, in Barcelona, son of Joan Lamote de Grignon (1872-1929), an internationally renowned director and composer who would decisively influence the education and vocation of his only son.

Ricard Lamote studied music at the Conservatorio del Liceo and the Academia Marshall in Barcelona. In 1919, at the age of 20, he began his career as a cellist with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Gran Teatro del Liceo. Later, he would obtain the position of percussionist with the Barcelona Municipal Band. We should remember these details of his training to help understand his later interest in what would be one of his principal characteristics as a composer: mastery of instrumentation for orchestra, aided by his role as an instrumentalist in different orchestral formations directed by his father, from the time he was very young.

Ricard Lamote de Grignon, in the period before the civil war, formed part of the "Group of Eight", also called the "Independent Catalan Composers" or CIC, which included Gibert-Camins, Samper, Grau, Gerhard, Toldrà, Blancafort, Mompou, and was part of the cultural movement called "Noucentisme".

He was sub-director of the Barcelona Municipal Band (1932), the Valencia Municipal Orchestra (1943-47) and of the Barcelona Municipal Orchestra (1957-1962).

Soon he focused on what would be his principal dedication: the composition, first of simple pedagogical pieces, then quickly evolving to take on works in different formats, from works in small format to symphonic works, concertos, operas, ballets, choral music, music for film, etc...

These rather simple pieces for piano have long been used in the Marshall Academy of Barcelona where Lamote de Grignon once taught. They are full of Catalonian/Mediterranean spirit, and are excellent teaching pieces. The title Migajas or Engrunes means "crumbs"
The titles of the pieces are: Window on the countryside, Remembering, Walking to school, Dances, El rabada, (a popular dance), Nostalgia, The straw man, Quite evening, Dance, Sunset, Sleep baby sleep, Town fair.