Background
His most important teacher was Felipe Pedrell, who is credited with the revival of contemporary Spanish nationalist music, and Falla's music, following his master's example, is based on a Spanish folk idiom. In his earlier scores, however, notably the Noches en los jardines de EspañaEspana (1909-1916; Nights in the Gardens of Spain) for piano and orchestra, the nationalist elements are blended with French impressionism. Falla's compositions include two operas, La Vida breve (1905; Life Is Short), and El Retablo de Maese Pedro (1919; Master Peter's Puppet Show); two ballets, El Amor brujo (1915; Love the Magician), and El Sombrero de tres picos (1919; The Three-Cornered Hat); and a concerto for harpsichord (1923-1926). He was working on La Atlantida for soloists, chorus, and orchestra at the time of his death, Nov. 14, 1946, at Alta Gracia near Córdoba,Cordoba, Argentina, where he had resided since 1939.