ALBUM INFO

NOTE cd “Spanish Atmospheres” 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 . Anita Biltoo