Henry Dehlinger ’88 released his new solo piano album, Evocations of Spain, in November. Showcasing a fresh, New World interpretation of the piano music of Isaac Albeniz and Enrique Granados, the album will speak to “folks with broad musical tastes who listen to classical music with some regularity.”
“If you’re a fan of solo piano and love the sensuous Spanish sound,” Dehlinger says, “you’ll love this album.” The music draws on the beautiful melodies of Andalusia with its Flamenco rhythms and exotic overtones. Also prominent is the use of cante jondo, or “deep song” of the Spanish gypsies.
For nearly a decade, the former tech executive had led sales and marketing teams on three continents, most recently as global VP of an IT company in Northern Virginia. Well before venturing to the corporate world, Dehlinger distinguished himself musically on celebrated stages, from the White House in Washington, D.C., to the War Memorial Performing Arts Center in San Francisco. His first mentor was conductor Dr. William “Doc” Ballard, legendary director of the San Francisco Boys Chorus. Dehlinger credits Doc for his early success. By the time he was ten, Dehlinger was part of the Bay Area music scene, performing with Luciano Pavarotti and Montserrat Caballé and entertaining VIPs from the President of the United States to the Prince of Wales. At twelve, Dehlinger was invited to study with piano virtuoso Thomas LaRatta, founder of the Crestmont Conservatory of Music and student of the great Rudolf Ganz. Enchanted with Spanish music, Dehlinger traveled to Spain, where he enrolled at the University of Valencia. He later graduated from Santa Clara University.