Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Music

Goya's Life and Turbulent Times

Francisco Goya spent most of his life in Madrid. He also lived through the contradictions of the Spanish Enlightenment, experiencing the benefits of the liberalization measures enacted by Joseph Bonaparte. He also witnessed the creation of the Constitution of Cadiz (1812) and the loss of the Spanish colonies (1824). The return of Fernando VII unleashed persecution against liberals and those who had collaborated with the 'intruder' king. In 1820, the Riego revolt offered hope to Spanish liberals, and the Constitution of Cadiz was reinstated, but the intervention of the 'Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis' sent by the Holy Alliance led to the restoration of Fernando VII's absolute power and the beginning of a period... Continue reading "The Art of Goya: From Court Painter to Modern Master" »

Traditional Spanish Lyric Poetry and Epic

Traditional Lyric Poetry

Traditional lyric poetry reflects the feelings of the people. Poetry accompanied fieldwork, domestic chores, and parties. It was designed to be easily memorized, as the population was largely illiterate. This anonymous poetry was transmitted orally, recited, and performed by juglares (minstrels), who traveled from town to town.

Common themes included love, fiestas, processions, and everyday activities. The language was characterized by short sentences, communicative density, and directness, with frequent interjections and expressions of affection.

Key Examples of Traditional Lyric Poetry

• Jarchas: These were short poems that appeared at the end of a longer composition called a muwassaha.

Romanticism: A Literary Movement

The Romantic movement began in the 1830s with the return of exiled liberals. The Romantic era sought to change the world, but when desires went unfulfilled, feelings of frustration and pessimism arose, leading to a search for escape.

This cultural, artistic, and literary movement started in Germany and spread throughout Europe and America in the nineteenth century. It is characterized by a desire for innovation, the defense of freedom, and the exaltation of feelings.

Key Features of Romanticism

Thematic Features

1. Freedom: Exaltation of freedom and a taste for characters that symbolize that freedom, such as pirates, the condemned, and devils.
2. Feelings: Love that defies social conventions to reach the beloved.
3. Landscape: