Sevilla (Sevillanas)

Sevilla (Sevillanas) originated as a movement within Isaac Albeniz's Suite Espanola, Op. 47, for solo piano. The work consisted originally of four movements: Granada (Serenade), Cataluna (Courante), Sevilla (Sevillanas), and Cuba (Notturno). Albeniz composed the four original works in 1886, and they were subsequently grouped together in 1887 in honor of the Queen of Spain. Each movement of the piece depicts a different region and musical style within Spain. All of the pieces in the Suite have been arranged and performed extensively by classical guitarists, and in recent years have gained widespread popularity as transcriptions for solo marimba as well. This arrangement, crafted by Christopher Whyte, features a solo marimbist who plays the majority of the original part with an extended cadenza in the middle. Seven percussionists accompany the soloist with relatively simple-to-learn parts, utilizing minimal instrumentation. This arrangement is intended to be akin in feel to the many guitar arrangements of Albeniz's music with a light, intimate feel.