Credit for this episode goes to a blog post written by my Aussie frolleague (friend and colleague), Samantha Coates.
She designed a Spanish theme for her students and I decided to follow her lead.
There are five units numbered in Espanol! Four of the units include podcasts from Classics for Kids.
As the podcast episodes explain, the influence of Spanish music spread across the ocean as the Spaniards explored the Americas. And so, the videos included in the episode feature music of composers who were influenced by the musicians of Spain as well.
The last unit includes the overflow of videos I found that celebrate Spanish music. I just couldn’t help but include them.
Before you begin the units, watch the two opening videos below to learn about and listen to the characteristics heard in most Spanish music.
Studies show that you listen better when you doodle and take notes. As you listen and watch, grab a doodle sheet or use a One Page Report template.
Learn about what makes Spanish music sound “Spanish”
Listen to the common rhythms founds in most Spanish music.
Uno
Watch
Watch Tomasz Fechner perform "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" by Francisco Tárrega (the father of classical guitar) to get a taste of the flavor of Spanish music.
Listen
¡Bienvenidos! Listen and explore the music of some of Spain's most influential composers and players, from King Alfonso X (a.k.a. "Alfonso El Sabio" or Alfonso the Wise) to Francisco Tárrega, known as "the father of classical guitar." You'll also learn how the guitarra came to Spain in the first place.
-Classics for Kids
PODCAST #1
Click the title to listen to this podcast: Spanish and Latin American Composers: Classical Music In Spain
Doodle
Add at least 3 facts to your doodle sheet.
Watch
Watch the video below to listen to two of the most popular instruments of Spanish music: the guitar and castenets.
Dos
Listen
When composers use their country's folk songs, dances, and rhythms to paint musical pictures of local places and legends, it's called musical nationalism. Hear how composers like Isaac Albeniz, Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla and others defined the Spanish sound with spirit, fire, and romance.
-Classics for Kids
PODCAST #2
Click the title to listen to the podcast: Spanish and Latin American Composers: The Spanish Sound
Doodle
Continue to doodle and add 3 more facts to your one page report.
Watch
See what Spaniards wear when they dance their traditional dances.
Watch
“Concierto de Aranjuez” composed by Joaquin Rodgiro with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Rafael de Burgos conducting and Pepe Romero, guitar.
Scroll to Minute 6:55 for the Second Movement.
Tres
Listen
In the 16th century, "conquistadores" – soldiers from Spain – sailed to Mexico, and took over the country from the Indigenous people who lived there. The Spanish brought their language, their religion, and their music to the place they called "Nueva España," or New Spain. Mexico became independent from Spain in the 19th century, but the music stayed, combined with African and Indigenous forms, and took on a life of its own.
-Classics for Kids
PODCAST #3
Click on the title to listen: Spanish and Latin American Composers: Mexican Composers
Doodle
Continue to doodle and add 3 more facts to your one-page report.
Watch
Listen to both videos of “Granada” composed by Isaac Albeniz. Notice how it is the same piece but played on different instruments.
Watch and choose
Here’s the same piece on the piano. What instrument do you prefer?
Cuatro
Listen
After Christopher Columbus made his first trip across the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and other European countries began to colonize the Americas. Spanish music had a big influence on Latin American music — and so did the music of the enslaved people who were brought over from Africa. Hear how composers and players in Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina, Paraguay and other parts of Latin America married European forms with Indigenous sounds, creating folk music traditions that have become classics in their own right.
-Classics for Kids
PODCAST #4
Click the title and listen to: Spanish and Latin American Composers: More Composers
Doodle
Continue to doodle and add 3 more facts to your one page report.
Watch
“Malaguena” composed by Ernesto Lecuona and performed by Stephanie ELBAZ
Watch
Another performance of “Malaguena.”
Watch
“Danzas Argentinas” by Alberta Ginastera and played by Kotaro Fukuma
Cinco
Watch
The videos below are just pure fun and celebrate the influence of Spanish music. Enjoy!
Tango Flashmob in Germany? Yes!
Watch
Do you recognize any of these songs?
Watch
Can you hear the castenets?
Watch
“Spain” performed by Bobby McFerrin and Chick Korea.
Watch
“Libertango” composed by Astor Piazzolla performed by the Moscow City Symphony.
Watch
“Paso Doble” danced by Catherine Zeta Jones and Antonio Banderas in The Mask of Zorro 1998
The Paso Doble (meaning “double-step” in Spanish) refers to a style of ballroom dancing included in DanceSport categories of competition that began in the 16th century in the country of France. This dance became popular in Spain because it became based on the sound, drama, and movement of the Spanish bullfight.