Bartolomé Pérez Casas is known for his arrangement of "La Marcha Real," the national anthem of Spain. Here are some interesting facts about him and the anthem:
Arrangement of "La Marcha Real": Pérez Casas is credited with the first official arrangement of "La Marcha Real" during the 18th century. He arranged the melody into its recognizable form, which became the national anthem of Spain.
Anonymous Composer: Interestingly, the composer of the original melody of "La Marcha Real" remains unknown. Pérez Casas was responsible for transcribing and arranging the music into a more standardized form.
Official Status: "La Marcha Real" officially became Spain's national anthem in 1770. However, it wasn't officially adopted with lyrics until much later, in 1770.
Unique Without Lyrics: One unique aspect of "La Marcha Real" compared to other national anthems is that it is one of the few without any official lyrics. Despite various attempts over the years to add lyrics, the anthem remains solely instrumental.
Historical Evolution: Over time, the anthem has undergone slight modifications and arrangements, including some by Pérez Casas himself, leading to different versions being played on different occasions.
Controversy and Reinterpretation: The absence of lyrics has sparked occasional controversies. At various points in history, efforts have been made to add lyrics, but none have been universally accepted. Nonetheless, its instrumental version remains an important symbol of Spain.
Public Reception: "La Marcha Real" is traditionally played at official ceremonies, sporting events, and other significant national occasions in Spain. It is often recognized for its majestic and stirring melody.
Pérez Casas' contribution to standardizing and arranging "La Marcha Real" cemented its place as a significant piece of Spain's cultural and musical heritage.