The Sociedad de Conciertos de Madird (1866-1903) and the Unión Artístico-Musical (1877-1901): From the Reception to the Creation of a Symphonic Repertoire in Spain

Abstract

The development of symphonic music as an autonomous genre in Spain takes place in the last third of the nineteenth century. Such development comes together with the Sociedad de Conciertos de Madrid (Madrid Concert Society) and the Unión Artístico-Musical (Arts and Music Association). The Sociedad de Conciertos de Madrid was the first stable orchestra in Spain. It was active between 1866 and 1903. In 1903, it came to an end and gave birth to the new Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid (Madrid Symphonic Orchestra), the current orchestra of the Madrid Royal Theatre. The Unión Artístico-Musical, the competing orchestra, was active between 1877 and 1891, with some others specific performances until 1896. Until the establishment of the Sociedad de Conciertos de Madrid, there were no stable orchestras in the Capital of Spain to perform for a wide audience. That is the reason why both orchestras — and particularly the Sociedad de Conciertos de Madrid — bore the responsibility of introducing and disseminating the European Symphonic repertoire in Spain. They also made possible the commissioning and premiere of symphonic works by Spanish composers, thus creating a new repertoire. In this article, some key aspects of the development of Symphonic Music and the beginnings of orchestral activity in Spain during the second half of the nineteenth century are analysed. This, I have discussed in my doctoral thesis and in subsequent research that I have undertaken during more than twenty-five years1.