1. Abstract
3. Oeuvre
4. Influences
7. Analysis of Cants Màgics
7.1. Enèrgic
7.2. Obscur
7.3. Profond-lent
7.5. Calma
INFLUENCES
In this section, I am going to expose some of the composers, aesthetic movements or elements that influenced Mompou. It is difficult to make absolute assertions in this section since composers are always the product of their musical heritage and all that has happened in musical history which has influenced them to a greater or lesser extent. For this reason, I will draw parallels with the most direct sources of inspiration for Mompou without underestimating his originality.
- Middle ages
Mompou believed in a return in music, a starting over. This essentially involves taking practices from the past and remodeling them into a new perspective on composing.
For example, he adopted organum from the Middle ages1, and he imbued all his production with intervals of fourths and fifths. Back in the 9th century the perfect fourth and its inversion, the perfect fifth, were seen as consonant intervals, just like the octave. However, from a modern perspective, the perfect fourth is ambiguous: depending on its resolution it is either considerate consonant or dissonant.
Mompou was so fascinated by ambiguous harmonies that since the beginning of his career as a composer he created his own archetype chord, one which he referred to as the "metallic chord"2. What characterized it was the integration of dissonance into consonance3.
Another element that is partly present in Mompou's music is the Gregorian chants, especially their monody and simple rhythm. An example of this can be found in the opening of the second movement of Cants Màgics, "Obscur".
- Form of the Baroque
- Chopin
- French composers of the 19th-20th century: Ravel, Debussy, Satie.
Mompou followed his studies in Paris, where he then lived for over twenty years of his life. Despite his shyness, he had contact with contemporary French composers of the day who inevitably influenced him. He also admired some of the most important French composers of the time such as Debussy and Fauré. The latter composer he shared an affinity for impressionistic sound-colours placed over a static background. For instance, when Mompou was once interviewed he responded to being called "the Spanish Debussy" by saying:
- Traditional folklore
Mompou remained always very close to his origins. He was a fond Catalan who actively protected and honoured his traditional culture. Indeed, many of his melodic lines reflect the influence of Catalan folk tunes, with respect to their two- or four bar-form.