Manuel de Falla: Spanish Composer’s Life and Works
Manuel de Falla: A Legacy in Spanish Music
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) was a prominent Spanish composer who masterfully blended three major trends in early 20th-century Spanish music: Nationalism, Neo-Classicism, and Impressionism. Born in Cádiz, he later moved to Madrid and eventually passed away in Argentina.
Early Years and Musical Development
De Falla quickly distinguished himself as a pianist and soon developed a keen interest in composition. In Madrid, he composed Zarzuelas, some in collaboration with Amadeo Vives. He soon came into contact with Felipe Pedrell, a pivotal figure who profoundly influenced his aesthetic vision.
Key Early Work:
- La Vida Breve (won a competition). Premiered in France eight years later, thanks to the interest of Debussy. This work is characterized by its gritty realism, deep emotion, and the symbolic use of folklore.
De Falla’s work is defined by its melodic and rhythmic clarity, as well as his masterful orchestration.
Years in France (Influence and Challenges)
De Falla spent seven years in France, where he formed close ties with Ravel and Debussy. However, he faced financial difficulties that worsened his character.
Notable Works from this Period:
- Cuatro Piezas Españolas
- Preparation of parts of Noches en los Jardines de España
- Siete Canciones Populares Españolas
With the outbreak of World War I, he left France and returned to Madrid, carrying the influence of Stravinsky.
Madrid Period: Impressionism and Folklore
Masterpieces of this Era:
- Completion of Noches en los Jardines de España: Consisting of three nocturnes for piano and orchestra, this work represents de Falla’s closest approach to Impressionism, evident in its pianistic writing and orchestration.
- Siete Canciones Populares Españolas: Based on folklore, this piece showcases various ways of working with a popular melody, from an almost direct re-creation to a complete reworking of the instrumental accompaniment.
- El Amor Brujo: Initially premiered in 1915 without much success, this work features music, a storyline, and aesthetics by the composer. A year later, he reworked the piece, expanding the instrumentation, but neither version achieved immediate success.
- Commission for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes: Due to the war, the premiere was delayed.
- El Sombrero de Tres Picos: Premiered with great success, partly due to Picasso’s collaboration and de Falla’s growing fame. This work aligns with Spanish Neo-Classicism, closely linked to Stravinsky, and presents a more conservative musical aesthetic than his earlier works.
- Fantasía Bética: Considered a culmination of de Falla’s pianistic style, known for its technical perfection and inspired melodies.
Granada Period: Chamber Music and Final Years
De Falla moved to Granada for health reasons.
Significant Compositions:
- Homenaje a Debussy: A piece for guitar.
- El Retablo de Maese Pedro: Based on texts from Don Quixote, this work combines puppets and singers. It marked a turning point in his chamber music production, as he took over three years to complete his next work.
- Concerto for Harpsichord and Five Instruments: Highlights the innovative features of his writing, reduced to the essentials, abstract, and detached from folklore.
The Spanish Civil War interrupted his work. He moved to Argentina, where he died, leaving unfinished Atlántida, a scenic cantata completed by his disciple after many years of work.
Lasting Impact
Manuel de Falla’s personality and musical style profoundly influenced not only his disciples but also all Spanish composers of the second half of the 20th century.