Main content

Al-Andalus: What makes music sound Spanish?

Tom Service looks for the essence of Spain in the music of later centuries. Why was so much "Spanish" music written by Russian, French or German composers, and how do we recognise a "Spanish" sound in music now?

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 4 Oct 2019 16:30

Music Played

  • Francisco TĂĄrrega

    Capricho arabe - serenata for guitar

    Performer: Carlos Bonell.
    • upbeat classics.
    • URCD145.
  • Sylvia

    Y Viva Espana

    • VIRGIN.
    • VTDCD-57.
  • Omar Bashir

    Maqam Flamenco

    Performer: Omar Bashir.
    • Bahir.
    • ISRC: AEA041000537.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Bolero for orchestra

    Conductor: Claudio Abbado. Performer: London Symphony Orchestra.
    • DG.
    • 4159722.
  • Xaver Scharwenka

    Spanish serenade for piano

    Performer: Sir Stephen Hough.
    • HYPERION.
    • CDA-67565.
  • Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

    Capriccio espagnol Op.34

    Music Arranger: Igor Markevitch. Performer: London Symphony Orchestra.
    • PHILIPS.
    • 4426432.
  • James Horner

    Mad Dash / Zorro Unmasked

    Performer: Studio Sound Orchestra.
    • Sony Classical.
    • USSM10505501.
  • Georges Bizet

    Carmen - opera in 4 acts

    Performer: Marina Domashenko. Performer: Myung-Whun Chung. Performer: French Radio Orchestra.
    • decca.
    • 475 9143.
  • Claude Debussy

    Estampes for piano

    Performer: Paul Crossley.
    • Sony.
    • SK53111.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Rapsodie espagnole vers. for orchestra

    Conductor: Pierre Monteux. Performer: London Symphony Orchestra.
    • Philips 464733.
    • 464733.
  • Isaac AlbĂ©niz

    Asturias (Leyenda) [fr 'Suite Espanola'], arr. Segovia for guitar [orig.piano]

    Performer: Sharon Isbin.
    • VIRGIN.
    • VC7911282.
  • Maurice Jarre

    Lawrence of Arabia

    Performer: ±«Óătv Concert Orchestra.
  • JoaquĂ­n Rodrigo

    Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar and orchestra

    Conductor: Yannick NĂ©zet‐SĂ©guin. Performer: MiloĆĄ Karadaglić. Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • DG.
    • 4810811.
  • Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

    The Mexican Bandit

    • Fat Boy Records.
    • 01.
  • Ennio Morricone

    A Fistful of Dollars

    Performer: Ennio Morricone.
    • DISKY.
    • DCD-5253.
  • Édouard Lalo

    Symphonie espagnole Op.21 for violin and orchestra

    Conductor: Vernon Handley. Performer: Tasmin Little. Performer: Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
    • EMI Eminence.
    • 566119 2.
  • Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

    Souvenir d'une nuit d'ete a Madrid for orchestra (Spanish overture no.2)

    Conductor: Vassily Sinaisky. Performer: ±«Óătv Philharmonic.
    • chandos.
    • chan9861.
  • Isaac AlbĂ©niz

    Iberia - book 1 for piano

    Performer: Alicia de Larrocha.
    • Decca.
    • 4178872.
  • Manuel de Falla

    Nights in the gardens of Spain for piano and orchestra

    Performer: Steven Osborne. Performer: ±«Óătv Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
    • HYPERION.
    • CDA68148.
  • JoaquĂ­n Rodrigo

    Fantasia para un gentilhombre for guitar and orchestra

    Conductor: Luis Antonio GarcĂ­a Navarro. Performer: Narciso Yepes. Performer: English Chamber Orchestra.
    • DG.
    • 4779197.
  • Francisco Coll

    Turia

    Performer: Christian Karlsen. Performer: Jacob Kellermann. Performer: Norrbotten NEO.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 29 Sep 2019 17:00
  • Fri 4 Oct 2019 16:30

Why do we call it 'classical' music?

Tom Service poses a very simple question (with a not-so-simple answer).

Six of the world's most extreme voices

From babies to Mongolian throat singers: whose voice is the most extreme of all?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How Schoenberg opened a new cosmos for composers and listeners to explore.

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Bass is everywhere, but why do we enjoy it? Join Tom Service on a journey of discovery.

Watch the animations

Join Tom Service on a musical journey through beginnings, repetition and bass lines.

When does noise become music?

We like to think we can separate “noise” from “music”, but is it that simple?

Podcast