Emanuel Alexis Chabrier

Espana

Except for some minor works, Espana is Emmanuel CHABRIER`s first orchestral piece. He was born in Ambert (F) and like many other composers, (Lalo and Bizet for example), he was fascination of Spain. This may have been partly due to the influence of his first piano teacher who was a Spanish refugee. In 1882 he went to Spain and became intoxicated by the dances, rhythms, perfumes and lights. He became more Spanish than most of the Andalucians in delivering 'this living portrait of Spanish music painted by this gifted dauber' (Poulenc). He helps us to discover an essential function of his art: the rhythm, and he adds, as a sensual painter, the colour.

Espana: a happy addition to the category of reinvented folklore.