Piano Forum

Piano Board => Student's Corner => Topic started by: ranniks on October 30, 2013, 08:59:54 PM

Title: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Post by: ranniks on October 30, 2013, 08:59:54 PM

Or is it the other way around?

This made me inquire after this: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=53045.0

Title: Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Post by: cometear on October 31, 2013, 01:35:42 AM

I believe "Spanish" music originated from 15th and 16th century music in Spain. The early guitar was a major contributor to this and you hear many "Spanish" styles in classical guitar playing.

A Scarlatti Guitar Sonata for example:

Bach had originated from his classical predecessors. I would say neither are directly related but if you were to trace them both back they will most likely originate from the same source.

Title: Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Post by: outin on October 31, 2013, 04:25:55 AM

Quote from: cometear on October 31, 2013, 01:35:42 AM

I believe "Spanish" music originated from 15th and 16th century music in Spain. The early guitar was a major contributor to this and you hear many "Spanish" styles in classical guitar playing.

A Scarlatti Guitar Sonata for example:

That of course is a keyboard sonata performed on a guitar.
But Scarlatti composed many sonatas that imitate Spanish guitar playing. This one is especially lovely:

Title: Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Post by: rmbarbosa on October 31, 2013, 06:23:27 PM

Scarlatti has been in Spain and in Portugal. In Portugal he worked with a great portuguese composer, Carlos Seixas (You may wish to see in youtube Carlos Seixas Concert for harpsichord and orchestra in A major,m its amazing). Both Scarlatti and Seixas were inspired by portuguese and spanish popular music. With Bach, that influence seems less probable.

Title: Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Post by: chechig on October 31, 2013, 08:53:15 PM

Scarlatti lived many years in Spain, he died in Madrid. So it is quite reasonable that he was influenced by spanish music

Title: Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Post by: cometear on October 31, 2013, 09:26:59 PM

Quote from: rmbarbosa on October 31, 2013, 06:23:27 PM

Scarlatti has been in Spain and in Portugal. In Portugal he worked with a great portuguese composer, Carlos Seixas (You may wish to see in youtube Carlos Seixas Concert for harpsichord and orchestra in A major,m its amazing). Both Scarlatti and Seixas were inspired by portuguese and spanish popular music. With Bach, that influence seems less probable.

I know, I said Bach and "Spanish" music were probably not related.