Definition
Salvador Bacarisse (1 March 1898 – 12 July 1963) was a Spanish composer and music critic, noted for his contributions to early‑20th‑century Catalan and French‑influenced orchestral and chamber music.
Overview
Born in Barcelona, Bacarisse studied piano and composition at the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu under Lluís Granés and later continued his studies abroad. In the late 1920s he became a member of the Grupo de los ocho, a circle of Spanish composers dedicated to modernist musical trends. After the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Bacarisse left Spain and settled in Paris, where he remained for the rest of his life. In France he pursued a dual career as a composer and a music critic, writing for publications such as La Tribune des Arts and Le Monde. His oeuvre comprises symphonies, orchestral suites, concerti, chamber works, piano pieces, and vocal settings.
Etymology/Origin
The surname “Bacarisse” is of Catalan origin, likely derived from a locative or patronymic source within the Catalan linguistic region. The given name “Salvador” is the Spanish equivalent of “savior,” a common personal name in Spanish‑speaking cultures.
Characteristics
- Stylistic Influences: Bacarisse’s music reflects a synthesis of Spanish folk elements, French impressionism (particularly the influence of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel), and early 20th‑century tonal modernism.
- Harmonic Language: His harmonic palette often employs modal scales, extended tertian chords, and subtle chromaticism, creating an atmospheric and lyrical sound world.
- Forms and Genres: He composed in traditional forms (symphony, concerto) while also embracing programmatic and miniature formats, such as Poèmes d’Espagne (for orchestra) and Cinq poèmes de Rilke (for voice and piano).
- Notable Works:
- Symphonie Catalane (1930) – a work that incorporates Catalan folk melodies within a symphonic structure.
- Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1935).
- Quartet for Strings (1942).
- Cinq poèmes de Rilke (1956).
- Reception: While his music achieved modest recognition in France, Bacarisse remained relatively obscure in post‑war Spain due to his exile. Recent scholarship has reassessed his contributions within the context of transnational modernism.
Related Topics
- Grupo de los ocho (Spanish compositional collective)
- Spanish musical exile during the Spanish Civil War
- French impressionism in early 20th‑century orchestral music
- Catalan folk music influences in classical composition
- 20th‑century music criticism in France and Spain