The influence of Spanish folk traditions on selected song cycles by Jésus Guridi, Rodolfo Halffter and Xavier Montsalvatge
Date
1992
Authors
Tinney, Lisa Dawn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
It is the purpose of this thesis to examine how the many cultural forces that have shaped the fo k traditions in Spanish music, have, in turn, influenced the classical music compositions of twentieth century composers. The development of a national school of classical music in Spain in this century has drawn from rich folk traditions to create a sound that is unique and instantly recognizable as Spanish. This thesis analyzes the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic elements that are the basis of this distinctive sound, and then looks to the selected songs of three composers to demonstrate the importance of these folk elements in classical composition.
The first section of this thesis is a general history of Spain which discusses the influence of European, Moorish and gypsy cultures on her folk traditions. This is followed by an analysis of Jesus Guridi's Canciones Castellanas which displays the influences of these cultures. The second section discusses the importance of the Andalusian cante jondo style to all Spanish music, and to Spanish poetry of the twentieth century. Rodolfo Halffter's song cycle Marinero en Tierra is analyzed as a demonstration of the use of this colourful tradition in a classical context. The final section discusses the importance of folk dance in Spanish music,
and the influence Spanish music and dance have had on Latin American culture. Xavier Montsalvatge's Cinco Canciones Negras is analyzed to demonstrate this aspect of Spanish music. In this way this thesis explores three of the most important factors in the development of the Spanish style, and discusses the works of three composers which deserve a more prominent place in the art song repertoire.
Description
Keywords
UN SDG 4: Quality Education