This edition recovers the work that the Basque composer and researcher wrote in 1926 to commemorate the seventh centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. A piece that, until now, had remained practically inaccessible: the original edition was out of print and the materials could not be performed.

"This publication is a milestone in the recovery, care and recognition of our cultural heritage. It represents a part of our history as Basque people and keeps our culture alive", stressed the vice-president of the Basque Government and Basque Councillor for Culture and Language Policy, Ibone Bengoetxea, during the presentation.

The edition presents, for the first time, the complete musical text, based on Aita Donostia's autograph manuscript and another manuscript signed by the Parisian publisher Max Eschig. It also includes the original narrative text that the composer himself wrote in French, unpublished until now, accompanied by its translation into Basque by Paulo Agirrebaltzategi and into Spanish by the Capuchin Víctor Herrero de Miguel.

The critical edition was the work of Josu Okiñena, pianist, researcher and a great expert on the work of Aita Donostia, who explained the process:

"This edition allows the work to come back to life. It has been a real archaeological work to decipher it. It is undoubtedly his masterpiece and one of the most important in Basque music".

During his research, Okiñena also found the original manuscript of the dramatisation of the text, prepared by Aita Donostia for its premiere at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, one of the most important cultural stages in Europe at the time.

The work is a magnificent example of how Aita Donostia was able to fuse Basque tradition with the most modern musical trends of his time, incorporating popular elements such as Zozo-dantza or Baratzeko pikuak into the score, within a deeply spiritual aesthetic.

We at OE Oficina are proud to have made this edition possible together with the Basque Government and the Capuchins of Spain. This book not only recovers an exceptional musical work, but also the global artistic vision of one of the great Basque composers.

It is now available for purchase on our website.