Sketches of Spain

Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain album (with Gil Evans conduction) is a superb blend of symphonic and jazz arrangements mainly inspired by Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. A true work of fusion between modernity and classicism, expressing how the European folk tradition and jazz can marry in a sublime way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSS5p9BdNGU

• 

The sound brushes create imaginary landscapes of a land under the harsh sunlight and vast yellow fields. And Davis’ quixotic marches over imaginary enemies… But it also reveals the careful study over a rich musical patrimony. The restless spirit of Evans made the duo not only investigate the flamenco tradition but also of several other styles and composers such as Manuel Falla or get inspired by the sounds from the north of Spain.

• 

Although we might say the album has a general flamenco resonance, we apprehend that jazz bridges different sonorities coming from other regions of the country, adding up to the album’s idea of portraying the diversity of cultures and musical approaches coexisting in Spain.

• 

So this might as well be a metaphor about the country. Deep rooted traditions, like ghosts in the closet, combined with the genius to turn the tables and convey everything the other way around.

• 

Very few foreigners were able to sketch Spain as well as Miles and Evans did in this album. With the ability to read and explore in a different code Rodrigo’s refined approach, they portray Spain in a sophisticated and truthful manner. Even Hemingway could not sometimes avoid getting trapped by the folkloric appeal of Spanish traditions and, in the end, going less far.   

• 

• 

As we are deep in summer days, longing for travelling comes to me now, more than ever. This album has the ability to take me far from where I am, wherever or whichever Spain it might be.

• 

For more posts on Hand and Urban Sketching see: The Sektch Virus, Oh Istanbul, El Cuaderno de Viajes (I), El Cuaderno de Viajes (II), Travelling Sketches (I) – Intimate Mappings and Travelling Sketches (II) – A Praise to Cities.