Nestor Ausqui hails from the picturesque Argentinian city of Santa Fe: a robust and vibrant city catering to the arts and culture, most notably music. Definitive de Falla is Ausqui's second book from Mel Bay Publications, following the release of the Nestor Ausqui Collection (MB99894EB). This book and accompanying audio represent an important collection in the classical guitar genre. Guitarists from around the world will enjoy Ausqui's faithful attention to detail in the transcriptions,making this book an excellent addition to any guitarist's library.

Drawing extensively on primary sources, this study in three parts provides a detailed biography, examines the most prominent aspects of Falla's character as they pertained to his relationships with other composers and his own music, and sheds light on his creative process as a composer through examination of many of his works with reference to original scores and correspondence, many of which are published here for the first time. A chronological photo section rounds out this offering of great significance for music teachers and students as well as those with an interest in Spanish culture.

This biography offers a fresh understanding of the life and work of Spanish composer Manuel de Falla (1876-1946), recognized as the greatest composer in the Spanish cultural renaissance that extended from the latter part of the 19th century until the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The biography incorporates recent research on Falla, draws on untapped sources in the Falla archives, reevaluates Falla's work in terms of current issues in musicology, and considers Falla's accomplishments in their historical and cultural contexts.

Michael Christoforidis is widely recognized as a leading expert on one of Spain's most important composers, Manuel de Falla. This volume brings together both new chapters and revised versions of previously published work, some of which is made available here in English for the first time. The introductory chapter provides a biographical outline of the composer and characterisations of both Falla and his music during his lifetime. The sections that follow explore different facets of Falla’s mature works and musical identity. Part II traces the evolution of his flamenco-inspired Spanish style through contacts with Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky, while Part III explores the impact of post-World War I modernities on Falla’s musical nationalism. The final part reflects on aspects of Falla’s music and the politics of Spain in the 1930s and 1940s. Situating his discussion of these aspects of Falla's music within a broader context, including currents in literature and the visual arts, Christoforidis provides a distinctive and original contribution to the study of Falla as well as to the wider fields of musical modernism, exoticism, and music and politics.

One might think that it would be impossible to arrange the music of Georges Bizet’s opera, Carmen, for solo classic guitar, but Néstor Ausqui has done it! While the guitar is an intimate and sweet-sounding instrument, it does not have a broad dynamic range; yet, as Dionisio Aguado proclaimed in his Nuevo Método para Guitarra of 1843, the classic guitar’s expansive palette of tone color gives it the ability to emulate “a miniature orchestra”. These characteristics make the guitar the ideal instrument to reflect both the character and sensuality of the dances that occur throughout Bizet’s Carmen—Aragonaise, Habanera, Seguidillas, and Danse Bohéme—as well as Carmen’s sober “Chant de la Mort”. Recommended for the advanced guitarist, Carmen Suite is written in standard notation with extensive digitation and occasional drop-D tuning. In Néstor Ausqui’s Carmen Suite, “…the guitar both sings like a human voice and accompanies itself, giving the work an irrefutable guitar identity. The characteristic feeling manifested in Spanish dance is now expressed through the guitar with a full and defined instrumental singularity.” — Guillermo René Alvarez Musicologist, Professor at the Instituto Superior de Música, Universidad Nacional del Litoral-Argentina

Manuel de Falla's music perfectly reflected the full-blooded passion and intellectual aspirations of early 20th century Spanish culture. His personal life seemed to echo the spirit of his times and the broad range of his music. From his sensual treatment of Andalusian folk themes to the neoclassical compositions of his later years, de Falla always brought a fierce level of intensity to everything he undertook. This book explores de Falla's life in music in a highly original way. A compelling mix of intimate correspondence, original criticism, rare manuscripts and revealing photographs, it forms a biographical mosaic rich in musical detail and personal insights. A uniquely candid portrait of one of the 20th century's greatest composers. Approved by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. Ed. Gonzolo Armero and Jorge de Persia.