MusiLLection

Traditional Spanish castanets, closely associated with flamenco dance and Iberian musical color. Castanets are widely regarded as a national musical instrument of Spain, with documented use dating back to the Middle Ages. Closely associated with flamenco and other Andalusian dance traditions, they function not merely as rhythmic markers but as expressive extensions of movement, shaping the emotional contour of the dance through sharp, articulate pulses and rolling patterns. Played either in rapid, rotary motion or in clearly articulated rhythmic figures, castanets contribute a distinctive percussive brilliance. Their unmistakable “Spanish timbre” fascinated many composers of the 19th and 20th centuries, who incorporated them into orchestral writing to evoke Iberian color and dance vitality. Traditionally, castanets were made from chestnut wood—the Latin castanea giving the instrument its name. Over time, other hardwoods such as walnut, rosewood, and ebony have been used, while earli...