CANCIONES DE CÁMARA ESPAÑOLAS

A concert of the Festival de Música Antigua de Tenerife [Tenerife Early Music Festival]

The first half of the 19th century was one of the most troubled periods in the History of Spain. The War of Independence, the beginning of the colonies’ emancipation, the proclamation of the first Constitution in 1812, the Trienio Liberal and the return of Ferdinand VII are some of the events that marked artistic creation at the time. Despite the complex circumstances, a real music Romanticism emerged in Spain, either by some of the composers whose ideas forced them to go on exile and so were influenced by the great composers of the time; or by musicians who stayed in the country and followed popular music until they reached high levels of artistic creation. This programme is a sample of the work of these composers; unfortunately, their music is not very well known by the general public even though it was hugely successful in 19th century Europe, where it was published and premiered in many countries.  These works laid the foundation of Spanish zarzuela, and 20th century Spanish songs, which could not have come about without the work these musicians did regarding composition, reviews and research.