Manuel de Falla considered music an evocative art, stating that the relationship between colors and sounds interested him so much that paintings or stained glass often suggested melodic ideas or harmonic combinations.
Critical Reception
Arthur Rubinstein, who premiered Manuel de Falla's Fantasía baetica, found the piece technically challenging and played it only a few times, failing to grasp its "extraordinary wanton beauty."
Composition History
The Fantasía baetica, an "Andalucian fantasy," was commissioned by the great Polish pianist Arthur Rubinstein.
Composer Biography
Manuel de Falla was a pupil of José Tragó, who in turn was a student of Georges Mathias, one of Chopin's pupils, establishing a subtle artistic link to Chopin.
Interpretation
Before recording, Uta Weyand consulted Manuel de Falla's autograph manuscripts at the Archivo Manuel de Falla to correct errors and ambiguities found in some published editions.
Composer Biography
In his youth, Manuel de Falla aspired to be a pianist-composer in the Romantic tradition, a path also followed by Spanish composers Albéniz and Granados.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Manuel de Falla's 14 original works for solo piano reject superficial virtuosity and the superfluous; every note is necessary and in exactly the right place.
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