Costumes and Castanets

Falla is delighted to welcome some old friends to his city, but struggles to keep up with the revelries that ensue. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Manuel de Falla was not well suited to the role of national musical icon. He was at his happiest, living a simple, monkish existence in his spartan Granada villa; fussing over his music in pleasant isolation or enjoying the company of a few close friends. He was generous but withdrawn, quietly and devotedly religious, and had a horror of being dragged into the violent political conflicts that wracked Spain during the first half of the 20th century. Falla’s enormous talent and unique musical voice meant he was thrust into the very centre of cultural life, despite himself. He was compelled to navigate his way alongside some of music’s most colourful and potent characters, and through momentous historical events.

Today, the flamboyant Russians of the Ballet Russe arrive in Madrid and turn to Falla to supply their next big hit. Can the timid composer find it within himself to produce what’s needed?

Siete canciones populares españolas: No 1 El paño moruno
Teresa Berganza, mezzo-soprano
Juan Antonio Álvarez Parejo, piano

Noches en los jardines des España, I. En el Generalife
Javier Perianes, piano
BBC Symphony Orchestra; conducted by Josep Pons

Fantasia Bética
Martin Jones, piano

El sombrero de tres picos (Part II)
L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande; conducted by Ernest Ansermet