Emmanuel Chabrier
ESPANA arr Lawson
Goodmusic Concert Classics GMCL246
Catalogue Number: GMCL246
Difficulty level: E What's this?
ISMN: 9790222338906
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Orchestration: 2 Flutes, Piccolo, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion (4 players: Triangle, Tambourine, Cymbals [clash & susp.], Bass Drum), Harp
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
Espana was inspired by a six-month-long tour of Spain in 1882 by Emmanuel Chabrier and his wife, Alice. Chabrier keenly observed the colourful music and dances in the different regions of Spain and could not wait to return to compose an "extraordinary Fantasia". It was first performed in the Cirque Olympique, Paris in November 1883, to such riotous acclaim that it was encored in its entirety. It soon became popular in many countries, bringing international recognition to the composer. Gustav Mahler called it 'the beginnings of modern music'.
Chabrier was a natural who had little formal training - his imaginative orchestration sparkles with originality and the work is peppered with tuneful, memorable melodies. A middle section contrasts the atmospheric use of guitar-like harp writing with 'burly' interjections of melodic phrases from the Trombones. The listener is transported into the joyous world of Spanish folk music with great skill. It all builds to a compelling climax as some of the melodic elements are fused together in a Coda of gathering pace and excitement.
Espana doesn’t get heard these days as much as it deserves, because of the cost of performing it: 4 Bassoons, 2 Harps and a variety of somewhat old-fashioned brass instruments somewhat constrain programming. This version is for conventional resources: one Harp, standard double woodwind and brass, which entailed considerable re-orchestration. The intention, however, was to make the work sound as near as possible to the original, whilst bringing a well-loved orchestral ‘lollipop’ to be enjoyed more often by concertgoers. Peter Lawson
A PACK includes a full score plus a full set of wind, brass and percussion parts plus strings 4/4/3/4/2
Duration 6 minutes
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
Espana was inspired by a six-month-long tour of Spain in 1882 by Emmanuel Chabrier and his wife, Alice. Chabrier keenly observed the colourful music and dances in the different regions of Spain and could not wait to return to compose an "extraordinary Fantasia". It was first performed in the Cirque Olympique, Paris in November 1883, to such riotous acclaim that it was encored in its entirety. It soon became popular in many countries, bringing international recognition to the composer. Gustav Mahler called it 'the beginnings of modern music'.
Chabrier was a natural who had little formal training - his imaginative orchestration sparkles with originality and the work is peppered with tuneful, memorable melodies. A middle section contrasts the atmospheric use of guitar-like harp writing with 'burly' interjections of melodic phrases from the Trombones. The listener is transported into the joyous world of Spanish folk music with great skill. It all builds to a compelling climax as some of the melodic elements are fused together in a Coda of gathering pace and excitement.
Espana doesn’t get heard these days as much as it deserves, because of the cost of performing it: 4 Bassoons, 2 Harps and a variety of somewhat old-fashioned brass instruments somewhat constrain programming. This version is for conventional resources: one Harp, standard double woodwind and brass, which entailed considerable re-orchestration. The intention, however, was to make the work sound as near as possible to the original, whilst bringing a well-loved orchestral ‘lollipop’ to be enjoyed more often by concertgoers. Peter Lawson
A PACK includes a full score plus a full set of wind, brass and percussion parts plus strings 4/4/3/4/2
Duration 6 minutes
