Capriccio Espangol, Op. 34

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. (Leipzig, M.P. Belaieff, 1887).

Essential Questions & Information about Capriccio Espagnol

What cultural and historical facts to do we know about the song?

    Rimsky-Korsakov wrote this piece in 1887. It is based in Spanish folk melodies.

What is the song like when sounded by traditional instruments/voices?

It is a full orchestra composition with five movements. There are different themes throughout the piece, though none are known to be officially authentic.

How is the song taught traditionally?

Traditionally it is taught the same way other standard orchestra pieces are rehearsed.

How does Capriccio Espagnol mean for people who live in Spain today?

The title indicates that it was written with Spanish influencing themes, not necessarily that they are all authentic old tunes form Spain.

What does Capriccio Espagnol mean to people from Spain or people whose families are from Spain who live in our community today?

A person from this country would probably not find this work especially significant, the themes are based on Spanish folk tunes which aren't the predominant musical preference of people in Spain, let alone people from Spain that live in America.

How we can play the song in a way that illustrates what we’ve learned about how a person can reflect and respect a song and the people who own it and think it important?

Play the song as authentically as possible by understanding that the themes may not necessarily be authentic, but may have certain characteristics of Spanish folk music music that should be played as well as possible by the performers.

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Performances