Columbus Day

Classical Academy | Musical Occasions

 

On October 12 1492 explorer Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, thereby discovering the New World. Although Columbus was born in Genoa, in northwest Italy, it was with support from the Spanish Monarchy that he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. His attempts to establish 'Hispaniola' marked the start of Spanish colonialization and European colonization of the New World. The Spanish had seen promise in Columbus' proposal to reach the East Indies, ridiculed by others, and thinking he could give them the upper hand in the contest to dominate Asia's lucrative spice trade. Yet, on his first voyage, instead of reaching Japan as expected, Columbus stumbled upon the Greater and Lesser Antilles, as well as the Carribean coast of Venezuela and Central America. At the time, Columbus chose not to admit to reaching a previously undiscovered continent, choosing to call the inhabitants of these islands indios (Spanish for Indians).

 

Celebrate Spain's support for Columbus' inspiring journey with this selection of beautiful guitar music by Spanish composers from Albinez to Granados, the perfect soundtrack to Columbus Day.