Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone here is working on or has done the piece "Malaguena" (Ernesto Lecuona). I'm still just trying to figure out the key. This seems like a big challenge, but I'd really like to learn it. Any tips appreciated.

It will probably not surprise anybody to know that I own the sheet music to this piece. It was my mother's favorite piece of classical music, so it has a special place in my heart. One of these years I would love to be able to play it... but it's not going to happen this, or the next, decade.

As for the key, er, is the obvious guess that it's in E major not right? Maybe it's C# minor? [Decides to quit while she's very very far behind.]

If piano*dad doesn't see this, you might try giving him a PM. I know that he was helping his son learn this a while back.

It's really an amazing piece, isn't it?! I guess I'm confused about the key because the opening and closing chords seem to be C# major, with an E major key signature...We must have the same arrangement. I think this is the original arrangement, and I'd like to take a shot at playing this one through in a half decent way before I give up and use an easy arrangement. Anyone interested in starting a thread and studying this piece together? It'll probably take me at least a year to learn, but it would sure be helpful to discuss things, the chords, fingering, etc. (My arrangement doesn't have any fingering, and I'm stuck already on the bottom of the first page where those beautiful but tricky runs start in).
Thanks.

Check out U-Tube. Some of the recordings show the keyboard as the piece is being played. I'm going to try the hard spots before I commit to learning this piece.
Mike

Hi Mike,

Well, I found this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWmep79jXKg

The video isn't clear, but the sound is pretty good. I was following along with the sheet music... I thought he did a very good job, though there were some mistakes that I noticed. I think this piece is rated as intermediate/advanced in difficulty. I would rate it more advanced, and I'm at an intermediate/advanced level with the classical, so it's a bit of a stretch for me but most likely doable with some practice. I'm trying not to be intimidated by it, though, and will just try to do the best I can with it. It's probably difficult for most people, but worth a try IMO even if you have to leave out a few notes. It's such a gorgeous classic piece, if I can just capture the spirit of it and most of the notes, I'll be pretty happy.. Perfection for me is not a goal with this one! Everyone loves it and it would just be great to play it in some form.

It's in C# minor--the relative minor of E major. They have the same key signature. If you're something of a novice you might seek some help with parts of this one. Or study some technical exercises that help develop you ability to handle it. Lecuona himself has a recording which you might be able to find. Malaguena is part of the Andalucia Suite which has some other interesting pieces too.

I was confused because the first and closing chord is C# Major, not minor. Why is that? Thanks.

P.S. I'm not a novice. I'm at the level of playing Clair de Lune

You will see that the E has a # (sharp) in the opening chord and all three are major. Spanish music is influenced by Moorish heritages and Lecuona, tho Cuban, is well aware of it.

If you are playing Clair de Lune, then you should be able to play this. Why you have such trepidations, knowing this, I'm not sure.

Apologies--double post!

Some sites rate it as advanced.. For me, I think parts of it are advanced and parts are intermediate. Does it use the "Picardy third", being that it ends on a major chord? Do you play it, Varcon, and do you have a recording? That's always helpful. Thanks.

P.S. Do you know of any copy in this key that has fingering?

It's a "Picardy" closes piece on a brighter note than in the minor

Yes, I've programmed the entire Andalucia Suite and played Malaguena on a couple of programs with some Albeniz pieces. No, I don't have a recording that I have done but Lecuona, himself, has a recording of it. Why not search for that--the interpretation, tempo, etc., should be very authentic!

I don't know of an edition with fingering. I have the 'Suite' and none of the pieces are with fingering and I have the sheet music for Malaguena and there is no fingering on it either.

Hi Elssa. About a year ago I bought a Lecuona book with the dream of playing Malagueña. It was supposed to be an 'easier' intermediate arrangement but as written it was way above my level. I'm just now studying grade 5 RCM. I was sad because it is such a great piece. There is a video online ofa young woman playing it that will wow you! I'll have to look for it and send you the link. I don't remember her name but I remember she was wearing a beautiful red dress.

Anyway back then I showed this to my teacher and she was struggling with the big reaches and movements. So ever since then I put it away.

Perhaps it is time to pull it out again and give it a look. As you say perhaps I can simplify parts of it and maintain the spirit of it. The version I have is in a red book with several other pieces. And I'll look for that amazing video.

Look up the name Anat Navarro on YouTube. She plays this amazingly! I've watched her video many times!

Thanks, Zoe, Zevy & all. Found it - beautiful!

Hi Elssa I'm glad you found it. Isn't she amazing? Well I'd love to say I could join you on your journey but I still think this is waaaaay beyond me. I'll show it to my new teacher in January though to get her thoughts. I may have to rewrite the whole piece for it to be within my reach hahaha! Still I do love it and would love to be able to play it. I have a really easy version as well. Maybe that will give me some ideas to simplify the harder version.

Hi Zoe...Yes, breathtaking! Well, this certainly inspires me.. I'm going to give it another try now - though will have to leave out a few notes! lol

I have the original sheet music and the cd of Lecuona playing it. Wonderful piece, but difficult for me, too. I can play this easily in a different key and cutting the chords down to single notes in many places, but as written, I have trouble with it. Of course, I am self-taught and not advanced. I bought the whole Lecuona book for this one song. However, I have found some other nice pieces in the book that I can play, so I will keep working at it. The four sharps keeps tripping me up because of the accidentals.

My piano teacher played this as one of the pieces in the recital she did for us a couple of years ago. Beautiful...way over my talent level.

Zoe
How's your level 5 prep coming? I've pushed my plan ahead to May and who knows I may have them memorized by then. Sweet sorrow is not up to speed yet and the left hand in the first measures is not smooth or quiet enough. Getting there though

]Hi Wisebuff. I just recently restarted lessons after putting them on hold for about 6 months. I started with a new teacher and really enjoying te process. She uses a different approach in that she prefers students play through about 2/3 of both the exercises and repertoire books. Not getting each piece to mastery but close. I am thus learning many pieces at the same time and feel my learning is better (though slower) if that makes any sense. I guess getting through more music is helping me lots.

I will have a bit more time for awhile as I am in the middle of changing jobs so I plan to take full advantage of that!

My scales are aweful. I really got away from doing them after I had done my grade 4 exam last April and I'm sad to say it shows! And let's not talk about ear training. Ugh!

I like this teachers approach as it allows for more learning and variety and in a way seems to relieve the pressure of prepping (at least so far!). Plus I've been doing Christmas and other fun pieces as well.

I doubt I'll be ready for Spring exams. Perhaps targeting next Winter is more realistic but I'm ok with that. My teacher said I would be ready in no time as I've had some really good days/lessons but then there's those weeks that can only be described as crash/burn! Haha!

From the RCM I'm currently working on:

- Sonatina in A minor (1st movement)
- In Church

Oh my what a long note! Sorry Elssa! I just don't want to redo it as I was typing on my phone!

Thanks for the update Zoe. Cheering you on from Coloorado. Karen

Well, in general, I like to study the key & chord structure of any piece or tune and make up my own arrangement. My hands are small, so am going to have to make modifications as usual. Just trying to capture the beautiful spirit of it.

Hi Elssa I finally got brave enough to pull out my Lecuona book and look at the Malagueña piece. The book us called Lecuona's Best Made Easier For You. My copy is in the key if A minor? It has the G note sharpened so I think that makes it A minor vs C major as there are bi sharps in the key signature.

Anyway it has 6 pages. I could kind of get through page one and then all the runs start Yikes!! Trouble!!

It doesn't look as intimidating as I remembered it but I will need help to figure out how most parts are supposed to sound. Still intimidating! But I'm not giving up yet. It really sounds so awesome and looks fun to play i would love to learn it.

How are you making out with it so far?

Thanks Karen! And right back at you!