SARASATE – Malagueña, Op.21 No.1 – CELLO AND PIANO

Other Identification:
The Spanish Dances (Spanish Dances) are a collection of eight pieces for violin and piano composed by Pablo Sarasate between 1877 and 1882 and published in four books. Each book combines two dances of contrasting rhythm and character. They are among Sarasate’s best-known works.
The Malagueña is the first of the two dances in this Op. 21, a slow piece that conveys great charm with its melody. The term “malagueña” in music is originally a traditional flamenco style from Málaga that comes from the old fandangos malagueños. These fandangos had a triple rhythm, so this dance, derived from them, maintains that triple rhythm and is composed in 3/8 time.
Sarasate finished composing his malagueña in 1878, and it is dedicated to Joseph Joachim. The dance’s accompaniment is performed by the piano and is very simple and based on chords. The main key is D major, and Andalusian cadences are used extensively throughout. This dance begins with a serious and somewhat ponderous tone, although later on, a brighter and lighter tone is appreciated thanks to the pizzicatos played by the violin with the help of the piano. From this moment on, the dance becomes lighter and more airy until its conclusion.