Spain on Fire

The rise and prosperity of the Spanish Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries spread the cultural richness and diversity of Spain far and wide, and embraced musical traditions whose roots consisted of Christian, Islamic, Jewish and American influences. This changed the cultural and musical fashion throughout Europe. The original scores formed merely the basic framework to which musicians added a wealth of personal interpretations: arrangements, glosses and a world of embellishments. The Accademia del Piacere and Fahmi Alqhai have been working for years on this Spanish approach to breathe new life into this spirit through improvisation and bring this music back to life.