Tag Archives: Spain

Arachnophonia: Suite Espagnole

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item(s) in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and features a streaming audio version of the solo piano piece “Suite Espagnole”, plus a biography of the composer Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909).. Thanks, Xipeng!

Suite Espagnole by Isaac Albéniz

Isaac Albéniz

Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)

Isaac Albéniz, a Spanish musical virtuoso, and his “Suite Espagnole”

Isaac Albéniz was a Spanish composer and pianist known for his significant contributions to Spanish classical music during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on May 29, 1860, in Camprodon, Catalonia, Spain, Albéniz demonstrated remarkable musical talent from a young age. He received his initial musical training from his father and then studied in various prestigious institutions across Europe. His compositions often feature intricate rhythms, evocative melodies, and a passionate, virtuosic piano technique.

Isaac Albéniz: Portrait of a Romantic by Walter Aaron Clark

I have been studying “Suite Espagnole” recently. It is one of Albéniz’s notable compositions, showing his profound affinity for Spanish themes and musical traditions. The suite is comprised of eight pieces for solo piano, each representing a different Spanish region, and the piece “Granada” is one of my favorites. It represents the Andalusian city of Granada, which is located in southern Spain and is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture, including the Alhambra, a historical palace and fortress complex. This composition is a showcase of Albéniz’s ability to blend classical piano techniques with the traditional sounds of Spanish folk music. Learning this piece always reminds me the memories I spent a summer in Granada with my family.

There’s a biography of this wonderful composer in our music library, Isaac Albeniz: Portrait of a Romantic by Walter Aaron Clark, and feel free to check out the recording, Iberia & Suite española / Albéniz, which is available online!

Arachnophonia: Carmen

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Brianna (class of 2023) and features Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. Thanks, Brianna!

Carmen

Carmen is a French opera composed by George Bizet that premiered in 1875. Since then, there have been numerous productions of Carmen, a few of which the Parsons Music Library has on DVD available to check out!

French opera is one of my favorite styles of opera, as it generally involves lots of dance numbers. This is due to the fact that when French opera began, ballet was a major component as the French thought Italian opera was lacking. Carmen was written in the French genre opéra-comique, which translates to “comedic/comical opera”. The story follows a naive soldier named Don Jose, who is seduced by Carmen and is ultimately led to his downfall.

The music is all but legendary, with the most famous pieces likely being “Los Toreadors” and “Habanera.” George Bizet will have you humming his tunes for days after you watch this opera! It is a fun, wild ride from start to finish and definitely worth checking out.

Arachnophonia: Enrique Granados “Goyescas”

Posted on by

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Eli (class of 2024) and features Goyescas, a piano suite by Spanish composer Enrique Granados. Thanks, Eli!

Enrique Granados

Goyescas

Granados - Goyescas cd cover

Enrique Granados is undoubtedly one of the great ‘what-ifs?’ of classical music. Born in Lleida, Spain in 1867, Pantaleón Enrique Joaquín Granados y Campiñabegan studied music as a teenager, but was unable to attend a formal conservatory. Instead, Granados relied on private lessons and individual practice, eventually exploring composition.

His first real success was the 1898 opera Maria del Carmen, receiving critical acclaim for his composition and conducting. The Spanish King, Alfonso XIII, even attended a performance.

Granados continued composing and performing at a small scale for the next decade, but found his career take off with his piano suite Goyescas which premiered in 1911. Based on the paintings of Fransisco Goya, the works were incredibly popular, leading Granados to compose an opera based on the same themes. This opera became world-renowned after it opened in New York City (the European premiere was canceled due to the outbreak of World War One), and Granados was invited to perform for President Woodrow Wilson.

A walk in Andalusia - Francisco Goya (1777)

“A walk in Andalusia” – Francisco Goya (1777)

Unfortunately, Granados perished shortly afterwards, drowning when his boat back to Europe was sunk by a German U-boat. Had Granados stayed in his cabin (half of the ship was untouched) or turned down the New York premiere, his name could have become household in the world of classical music. I highly recommend listening to the Goyescas suite, especially “Quejas o la Maja y el Ruiseñor”, or “Laments, Or the Maiden and the Nightingale.”

Granados and canine friend

Enrique Granados poses with a canine friend