Description

The French classical tradition is one of the world’s most enduring, from 10th century Notre Dame polyphony to postwar modernism, while the Spanish tradition offers a rich diversity of Arabic and European influences. We will discuss what is French about Fauré, Dukas, Saint-Saëns, and the famed Parisian opera. We will cover early giants Couperin and Rameau, and 20th century figures such as Debussy, Poulenc, and Boulez. Ravel, a Basque, straddles both French and Spanish traditions. We will discuss the Spanish virtuoso tradition of Sor (guitar), Sarasate (violin), and Granados (piano), and the Zarzuela genre. Composers covered include Albéniz, de Falla, and Rodrigo.