SOLER Fandango by concert pianist Stephanie Elbaz

SOLER Fandango for Piano by concert pianist Stéphanie Elbaz

https://www.stephanie-elbaz.com

The fandango is a traditional couples dance originating from Spain. It was introduced in the 17th century by Spaniards returning from the West Indies, who had been influenced by Indigenous and African musical traditions found in America. Initially popular music and dance, the fandango turned into a fashionable salon music among the aristocracy at the end of the 18th century. Although it inspired composers as famous as Glück, Mozart and Boccherini, the most famous fandango is arguably the one composed by Padre Antonio Soler (1729-1783).

Traditionally accompanied by guitars, castanets, or hand-clapping, the couple starts dancing with slowness and sensuality, before gradually moving faster and faster as the tempo increases, and finally finishing in an absolute frantic. This dancing cycle is typically repeated to perpetuate the lively emotions of the dance.

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