Els Reis (“The Magi”), Op.19
For SSAA choir and piano
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About this work
One day I came across a Joan Maragall poem about the Three Magi (the Catalan equivalent of Father Christmas). Its simplicity and innocence awakened in me an inexplicable feeling of nostalgia, and I was compelled to set it to music immediately.
The resulting work was awarded the prize for Best Composition in Catalan at the 2025 Orfeó Català Competition.
Premiere: 1 March 2026 at Barcelona’s Palau de la Música. Performers: Cor Scherzo, Esteve Nabona (conductor), Daniel Ruiz (piano).
English Translation of the Poem
Tonight they have passed by
and laid their hands upon the balconies…
The dreams of the little children
have blossomed.
Toward the East they are returning
to their misty kingdom,
to reign there while thinking
of Jesus.
Have you heard today the choir
of the early-waking children?
Have you noticed the trail of gold,
myrrh and incense?
Photos from the concert
