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SPANISH ATMOSPHERES
( De Falla, Granados, Albéniz )
Anita Biltoo voice
Caputo Pompilio Guitar Duo
Isaac Albeniz 1860 – 1909, Enrique Granados 1867 – 1916;
Manuel de Falla 1876 – 1946;
Each born within a couple of years of each other , these three are
perhaps among the most known of Iberian composers , and are without
doubt responsible for the popularity of Spanish music . Typical
characteristics found within their compositions are among others ,
a strong Spanish folk influence - dances : fandango, seguidilla
, fannia , jota ; expressing much liberty , freedom and rhythmical
variety .
- flamenco ; vocal and gypsy influence ; canto jondo
– a typical primitive andalou vocal tradition of tragic expression.
- original themes inspired from popular songs such as zarzuelas .
Another parallel is their use of the piano , using guitar techniques
such as
-
rasgueado , a series or abrupt chords
-
punteado , pinched sounds
-
harmony through appoggiated chords , from accaciatura or
superposition of chords and tonalities .
One of the reasons for the similarity between these composers (
apart from the fact that they evidently knew and appreciated one
another )is the fact that all were excellent pianists . Albeniz
learnt in Paris , Leipzig , Brussels and Budapest , and his friends
included Fauré , Debussy, Chausson and Dukas ; along with Granados
they grew up under the domination of Italian opera , scorning the
popular zarzuelas , and looking towards Liszt and Wagner .They were
stimulated by the famous Spanish composer and teacher Pedrell , and
encouraged by Debussy .They were responsible for making Spanish
music more known abroad since Victoria.
 Manuel
de Falla also an excellent pianist, was also encouraged by Pedrell
to compose.It was Pedrell who initiated him to Spanish folklore ,
ancient , and religious Spanish music .Pedrell consecrated his life
to the cataloguing of popular vocal music and its harmonies . He was
instrumental in the saving of this style which had its origins in
arab-andalou music .
De Falla went to Paris for seven years , where he was also friends
with Debussy , Dukas , Ravel , Albeniz and the pianist Viñes .He was
perhaps the most heavily influenced by Debussy . All his music is
authentically Spanish , and includes all the essential traditions ,
especially andalou folk music.His was a more classical and concise
style than his predecessors.
The Vida Breve composed in 1905 combines flamenco dance rhythms and
ornamental modal melodies of the canto jondo .
Before returning to Spain after his seven years’ study in Paris , de
Falla composed the seven folksongs (1915) , using the musical
economy Ravel had taught him .These songs reveal the double
influence of the popular Spanish songs of Pedrell , on which they
are based , and the theory of ‘ New Acoustics ‘ of Lucas ( 1854) on
the natural resonance of sounds . For Lucas the popular song was
the most beautiful example of this and harmony in its purest form .
The songs are a voyage in the different characteristic Spanish
provinces . The female theme dominates , especially the nostalgic,
jealous , disillusioned side of woman .
Enrique Granados composed the Canciones Amatorias in 1914 . The
songs albeit published as a set , do not follow any particular order
of performance . Although his musical style parallels that of de
Falla , his songs are different in that they do not defend nor seek
to enforce the Hispanic or traditional popular influence .This is a
more aristocratic belcanto and represent the mastery of Granados in
the art of the melody .
Whether it be as a solo instrument or in the accompaniment of the
voice , what is typical of the piano writing in all these works is
that the instrument is used to evoke or imitate the guitar and its
techniques which is why the transcription for two guitars operates
with no difficulty .
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