Northern Lights Piano Concert Series: Between Spain and France

The 2026–2027 Northern Lights Piano Concert Series features UNW piano faculty, alumni, and guest artists in an exploration of Spanish and Spain-influenced piano music from the late 19th century through the present day. Through works of Manuel de Falla, Albéniz, Granados, Turina, Mompou, Montsalvatge, and others, audiences will be able to hear how composers used folk materials, Spanish dance rhythms, modal harmonies, guitar-like textures, and vivid piano colors to develop Spanish classical music across generations, and how they brought together Spanish folk traditions, Andalusian dance, flamenco-inspired rhythms, French impressionistic color, and 20th-century concert music to create a distinct voice within the Western classical tradition.

This second concert of the series moves between Spain and France, pairing Manuel de Falla’s bold Fantasía Bética with works by Turina, Granados, Esplá, Ravel, and Debussy. Together, these pieces reveal a rich exchange of Spanish color, French impressionism, dance rhythms, and poetic atmosphere,

The three performances of this series are October 23, 2026; January 22, 2027; and April 23, 2027.