La Catedral (Barrios)
Inspired by a visit to the Cathedral of San Jose in Montevideo, the broad, horizontal chords of the andante represent Barrios's impressions of the organist playing Bach chorales in the cathedral. The ensuing allegro symbolizes his leaving the calm, spiritual atmosphere of the cathedral and entering out into the street, where the hustle and bustle of the real world is represented by incessant sixteenth note arpeggio figures.
Medium: Solo Marimba (4.6-octave)
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Adapted: 2000 (orig. composed in 1921)
Duration: 6:30
Difficulty: Grade 4-5
The works of J.S. Bach influenced greatly the music of Barrios. It is said that the composition of his most famous work, La Catedral, was inspired by a visit to the Cathedral of San José in Montevideo. The broad, horizontal chords of the andanterepresent his impressions of the organist playing Bach chorales in the cathedral. The ensuing allegro symbolizes his leaving the calm, spiritual atmosphere of the cathedral and entering out into the street, where the hustle and bustle of the real world is represented by incessant sixteenth note arpeggio figures.
