WEEK 4: Homenaje a la Guitarra

An improved (hopefully) version of La Paloma.

There are a few places where I have problems and this is the last of many attempts. I will persevere with this. Unfortunately I can't attend the watch party as it's our local guitar club meeting. Hoping to play this (if I feel confident) or possibly a couple of the Calatayud pieces (probably a safer choice!).

As we come to the close of a month of great Spanish and Spanish inspired music, I have really enjoyed the challenge to study Manuel Ponce's Variations on a Theme of Cabezón.  As I previously mentioned, this work was Ponce's last known work, completed in February 1948, a couple of months before he passed in April of that year.  The work is inspired by an unknown theme of the Spanish renaissance composer and organist, Antonio de Cabezón, who was born in Burgos, Spain, Thus, the reason for all the photos of the great Burgos Cathedral, built 1221.  The piece consists of a theme, six variations and fughetta, lasting a little under seven minutes.  There were a few additional variations that were discovered in 1952, and while they are attributed to Ponce, they were not included in the original score, so I have left them out.  It is a beautiful and haunting piece, akin to a dirge song.  With that in mind, I dedicate this post to the brave people of the Ukraine - No War! No Guerra! нет войны!