IRADIER, Sebastian – Habanera ‘La Paloma’ – 4 CELLOS (easy)

Other Identification:
“La Paloma”, known in English as “No More” (but literally ‘The Dove’), is a popular Spanish song that has been produced and reinterpreted in diverse cultures, settings, arrangements, and recordings over the last 140 years. The song was composed and written by the Spanish basque composer Sebastián Iradier (later Yradier) in the 1850s. Iradier was to die in obscurity within few years, never to learn how popular his song would become.

“La Paloma” belongs to a genre of songs called Habaneras, a musical style developed in 19th-century Spain – like all Habaneras, its characteristic and distinct rhythm reflects the fusion of the local Cuban songs that the Spanish sailors of the time brought back with them from their travels to the island, with the rhythm structure of the flamenco “tanguillo gaditano” (original from Cádiz, Andalusia). Very quickly “La Paloma” became popular outside of Spain, particularly in Mexico, and soon spread around the world. La Paloma has been interpreted by musicians of diverse backgrounds including opera, pop, jazz, rock, military bands, and folk music. The song entered the Guinness Book of World Records being sung by the largest choir, 88,600 people, in Hamburg on May 9, 2004!