Spain Travel – Time it with Top-Notch Music Festivals

Ana Maria Valderrama and Luis del Valle recorded a first CD together-- A mon ami Sarasote

Spain’s many world-class music festivals are rooted in a thriving music and cultural scene throughout the country.

When Picture This Post spoke to rising star violinist Ana Maria Valderrama before her standing ovation performance on August 24, 2016, she took great pride in thinking of herself as an ambassador of Spain and Spanish culture.

Valderrama says, “We are a small country and our musical traditions were interrupted by the Civil War– especially for violin.  But we are a very passionate country and I feel that passion too..

“Spain has a lot of talent.  Many young people feel the music in a special way.  This is true of painters and writers too.  We are a very cultural country…”

Click to read the full review of Ana Maria Valderrama and Luis del Valle Dame Myra Hess Concert here.

 Spain, which is a favorite tourist destination for architecture, food and wine, and natural beauty also boasts many world-class music festivals.

Here are some tips on top music festivals in Spain that will allow you to tap into the thriving musical scene that Valderrama references.  Bookmark these links to Spain’s music festivals for updates on specific dates and programming each year-

Valencian Santiago Calatrava's spectacular Palau de les Arts
Valencian Santiago Calatrava’s spectacular Palau de les Arts

Palau de les Arts (Reina Sofía) Opera House and Performing Arts Center

Where: Valencia

When:  Year round programming

More Palau de les Arts Info

 

 

 

Canary Islands hosts a classical and chamber music festival in the winter
Canary Islands hosts a classical and chamber music festival in the winter

Canary Islands Music Festival

Where:  Canary Islands

When:  January and February

More Canary Islands Music Festival Info

 

 

 

Great Mosque of Cordoba, which hosts a yearly festival of Sephardic music
Great Mosque of Cordoba is one of many architectural highlights that surrounds the music festival

International Sephardic Music Festival

Where: Cordoba

When:  June

 More Sephardic Music Festival Info

 

 

 

Granada, known for its architecture, also hosts Spain's International Music and Dance Festival
Granada, known for its architecture, also hosts Spain’s International Music and Dance Festival

International Music and Dance Festival (Granada)

Where: Granada

When:  Summer, TBA

More Festival Info

 

 

 

 

Santander hosts an International Music and Dance Festival
Santander in Cantabria Province overlooks the Cantabrian Sea and also has a natural background of mountains

International Festival of Music and Dance in Santander

Where:  Santander in Cantabria Province

When:  August, TBA

More Santander Festival Info

 

 

Poblet Monastery in Tarragona, home of Casals
Poblet Monastery in Tarragona, home of Casals, is in the Eastern region of Catalonia

Pau Casals International Music Festival

Where: Tarragona, Catalonia

When:  Summer

More Pau Casals Festival Info 

 

 

Cathedral in Cuenca, which hosts a festival of sacred music during Easter Week
Cuenca Cathedral

Cuenca Religious Music Festival

Where:  Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha Province

When:  Semana Santa (Easter Week)

More Religious Music Festival Info 

 

 

 

Gardens in the Alcazar (fortress) of the Christian Monarchs
Cordoba landmark – Gardens in the Alcazar (fortress) of the Christian Monarchs

Cordoba Guitar Festival

Where:  Cordoba, Andalusia Province

When:  July

More Cordoba Guitar Festival Info 

 

 

 

Pedraza aqueduct- one of many sites that make this a historic-artistic landmark
Pedraza aqueduct- one of many sites that make this a historic-artistic landmark

Pedraza Candelight Music Festival

Where: Pedraza, near Segovia

When:  1st and 2nd Saturdays of July

 More Candlelight Music Festival Info

 

 

 

View from Monte Igueldo in the Basque Country's San Sebastian
View from Monte Igueldo in the Basque Country’s San Sebastian

San Sebastian Jazz Festival

Where:  Basque Country – San Sebastian

When: Summer, TBA

More Jazz Festival Info 

 

This is just the beginning.  You can find many more concert venues and festival notes on the official Spain tourism website.

 

All photos courtesy of Spain.info 

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Amy Munice

About the Author: Amy Munice

Amy Munice is Editor-in-Chief and Co-Publisher of Picture This Post. She covers books, dance, film, theater, music, museums and travel. Prior to founding Picture This Post, Amy was a freelance writer and global PR specialist for decades—writing and ghostwriting thousands of articles and promotional communications on a wide range of technical and not-so-technical topics.

Amy hopes the magazine’s click-a-picture-to-read-a-vivid-account format will nourish those ever hunting for under-discovered cultural treasures. She especially loves writing articles about travel finds, showcasing works by cultural warriors of a progressive bent, and shining a light on bold, creative strokes by fledgling artists in all genres.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY AMY MUNICE.

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