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Topic: Does Bach sound Spanish?  (Read 1769 times)

Offline ranniks

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Does Bach sound Spanish?
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

Offline cometear

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Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Reply #1 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.
Clementi, Piano Sonata in G Minor, No. 3, op. 10
W. A. Mozart, Sonata for Piano Four-Hands in F Major, K. 497
Beethoven, Piano Concerto, No. 2, op. 19

Offline outin

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Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Reply #2 on: October 31, 2013, 04:25:55 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:

Offline rmbarbosa

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Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Reply #3 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.

Offline chechig

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Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Reply #4 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

Offline cometear

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Re: Does Bach sound Spanish?
Reply #5 on: October 31, 2013, 09:26:59 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.
Clementi, Piano Sonata in G Minor, No. 3, op. 10
W. A. Mozart, Sonata for Piano Four-Hands in F Major, K. 497
Beethoven, Piano Concerto, No. 2, op. 19
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