Basque music: tradition & culture

The Basque Country has been and is the birthplace of great composers: Ravel, Gorriti, Guridi, Sarriegui, Sarasate ... which are undoubtedly part of the musical heritage of the region. Although it is difficult to cover the entire musical spectrum in a summarized way, here are some of the most interesting keys to Basque musical culture:

· The Basque choirs: famous internationally and one of the strongest in Europe, tremendously alive, it makes a great contribution to the culture of the Basque Country.

· Popular songs of the Basque Country: works of a very diverse theme, reflecting the everyday life of society and the feelings of people (family, love, religion, celebrations, ...).

· Basque Folk: composed of marches and dance rhythms; Its influence is distinctly French due to the closeness that this community has with France. They have made their own instruments such as the "txalaparta".

· The bilbainadas: they are considered a musical genre in itself from the twenties. They are songs that arise if two Bilbao people come together to take some txikitos (drinks) or eat, very typical in family celebrations. In general they talk about life in Bilbao and always with some funny content.

· The Basque musical instruments: the txistu, the tamboril, the txalaparta, the alboka, the trikitrixa and the tambourine.

· The "bertsolaris": The social and cultural phenomenon that we call bertsolarismo is defined as an improvisation sung in Basque.

We have selected some treasures of Basque music throughout its history:

Capricho vasco, Op.24.(1881)

PABLO SARASATE