Suite Española
 |
Suite Española is heard
on Elaine Funaro's CD, Dances With Harpsichords
(Centaur
Records, 2003)
| |
Preview Malagueña |
|
Preview Romanza |
|
Preview Seguidillas |
|
Preview Tango |
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Suite Española won first prize in the fifth
Aliénor International Composition Competition for new
harpsichord music. The debut performance was presented
at the winners’ recital held on Hilton Head Island,
South Carolina, on March 2, 2000, by harpsichordist
S. Wayne Foster. The four-movement suite was inspired
by the music of Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz and was
written in a style accessible to a wide range of performers.
The Malagueña should be played
in an improvisatory manner throughout. This movement
follows the traditional “emotional song” influenced
by the free style and rhythm of traditional southern
Spanish folk music. Common characteristics of the malagueña
are the use of 3/4 meter and the imitation of the melodic
plucking of a guitar or stringed instrument.
The romanza (It.) or romance
(Sp.) originated with the 14th-century poetry of Spain.
This movement, like so many other Spanish-influenced
instrumental works, is an imitation of the strumming
of the guitar. Its simple song-like melody should be
approached in a free and vocal manner. The movement
is based on an ostinato pattern in the accompaniment
that serves as a unifying characteristic throughout.
The dance-like Seguidillas
adheres closely to the traditional Spanish form; a fast
triple-meter dance with a brief introductory section
using strummed or plucked chords. The frequent repetition
of harmonic patterns, as well as inversions of arpeggiated
chords, helps give this energetic movement the spirit
of a toccata. The movement ends with the triumphant
return of the baroque-like opening theme.
The tango is an Argentinian
dance form, which has also been popular with Spanish
composers such as Isaac Albéniz. This movement allows
the performer the opportunity for much flair and a passionate
approach to the recurring romantic and seductive theme.
The work includes common characteristics of the tango
such as a 2/4 meter and a syncopated accompaniment pattern,
which help give the movement its rhythmic and dance-like
feel.
View
larger cover
Available from The
FJH Music Company
For more information:
Southeastern Historical
Keyboard Society
www.sehks.org
Elaine Funaro's personal
website
www.elainefunaro.com |
