"Malagueña" Variations || August 2024 Challenge

YouTube available at:

https://youtu.be/j8ahppyJI-c?feature=shared

This piece is my submission for the August 2024 Flat challenge.

"Malaguena" is a term that refers to music originating from the Malaga region of Spain. There are many famous songs and variations called "Malaguena" that utilize common motifs and passages that uniquely identify that piece as originating from Malaga.

This piece consists of several references and variations to songs titled "Malaguena". At a minimum, it references pieces/variations by Ernesto Lecuona, Carlos Montoya, and Roy Clark.

Variation 1: Begins with the bass motif that many "Malaguena" pieces use in one way or another.
Variation 2: The bass progressions change up slightly but the melody continues to progress from Variation 1
Variation 3: This variation emulates a portion of "Malaguena" by Lecuona which features rapid, dissonant passages in the right hand.
Variation 4: This variation emulates a section of "Malaguena" by Carlos Montoya. It starts with a mellow right hand passage and gives way to Variation 5.
Variation 5: This is the rapid note version of Variation 4. The rapid repetition emulates a Spanish guitar embedded in the beautiful melody.
Variation 6: Roy Clark, famous American country star and guitar virtuoso, performed his own version of "Malaguena" in the 1970s. This variation demonstrates the shift in rhythm base Roy brilliantly incorporated.
Variation 7: This variation moves back to Lecuona and emulates his famous final passage.
Variation 8: We get a visit from a "fiery" ole friend of mine to close out the piece.

Please enjoy!