I have a friend of some 40 years who resides in Barcelona, a city I have never visited and in a country that I once landed in due to bad mechanical issues so it is a real life mystery to me.
In the late 60s, while at Michigan State finishing my masters, our university orchestra played this and another orchestra I was involved with did as well. I was hooked on all things "Iberian". Reading a book on bullfighting, Franco, the Revolution and a few magnificent movies put me over the top.
That of course brings me to a favorite piece of music. Take a few minutes and listen in. It will do your heart good on this cold day.
II. Ibéria(1905–1908)
Par les rues et par les chemins ("Through the streets and the paths") - inspired by rondo form
Les parfums de la nuit ("The fragrance of the night") - the atmosphere of a fascinating Spanish night
Le matin d'un jour de fête ("The morning of a festival day") - a procession of a 'banda de guitarras'.
Ibéria is the most popular of the three orchestral Images and itself forms a triptych within a triptych. The three sections of Ibéria are:
The music is inspired by impressions of Spain. a quote from Debussy to Caplet from a letter of 26 February 1910:
You can't imagine how naturally the transition works between 'Parfums de la nuit' and 'Le Matin d'un jour de fête. Ça n'a pas l'air d'être écrit.
