ARGENTINA
1940. (Villa Carlos Paz, Villa del Lago. Argentina). Falla moves to the Argentine province of Córdoba. He settles initially in Villa Carlos Paz, then, later, in Villa del Lago. On 30 May, he conducts a concert of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Córdoba in aid of the victims of floods in the federal capital. He receives the Gran Cruz de la Orden Civil de Alfonso X el Sabio (13 July). On 8 and 15 December, he conducts two concerts on Radio “El Mundo”; it is on this occasion that the only known sound recording of Falla’s voice was made. For a projected concert in homage to Tomás Luis de Victoria, he begins to make arrangements and “expressive interpretations” of works by the Renaissance composer. He experiences financial difficulties owing to the non-receipt of his royalties as a result of the war.
1941. (Villa del Lago, Argentina). His health seriously deteriorates. Revises the scoring and choral parts of various works by Pedrell (Glorya al Senyor, Romanç de don Joan i don Ramon, Canço de l´Estrella), with a view to their performance in a concert that the Asociación Wagneriana de Buenos Aires was thinking of dedicating to the Catalan composer. Continues to work on Atlántida.
1942. (Córdoba, Argentina). At the beginning of the year, he moves to the chalet “Los Espinillos”, near Alta Gracia; this is to become his final residence in Argentina. In December, he visits Buenos Aires for the last time, to conduct various concerts on Radio “El Mundo”.
1943. (Córdoba, Argentina). In spite of ill health, he continues to work on Atlántida. He proposes to Ricordi Americana an edition of some of his arrangements of works by Victoria, but the idea remains unrealised.
1944. (Córdoba, Argentina). He considers the possibility of giving an incomplete concert performance of Atlántida. He is visited by Jaime Pahissa, the Catalan composer exiled in Buenos Aires, who makes notes for his book Vida y obra de Manuel de Falla, to be published three years later. He works on preparing a film version of El retablo de maese Pedro.
1945. (Córdoba, Argentina). On 10 October, the Argentinian Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes elects Falla as a corresponding member. He rejects an invitation from the Spanish government to return to Spain. Still in poor health, he continues to work on Atlántida, and begins to transcribe final versions of some sections of the work.
1946. (Córdoba, Argentina). On 14 November, nine days before his seventieth birthday, Falla dies in his sleep in “Los Espinillos” as the result of a heart attack. The funeral takes place in Córdoba Cathedral on 18 November. On 22 December, his sister María del Carmen embarks for Spain, accompanying his remains. They arrive at the port of Cádiz on 9 January 1947. His body is finally deposited in the cathedral crypt of his native city.
1941. (Villa del Lago, Argentina). His health seriously deteriorates. Revises the scoring and choral parts of various works by Pedrell (Glorya al Senyor, Romanç de don Joan i don Ramon, Canço de l´Estrella), with a view to their performance in a concert that the Asociación Wagneriana de Buenos Aires was thinking of dedicating to the Catalan composer. Continues to work on Atlántida.
1942. (Córdoba, Argentina). At the beginning of the year, he moves to the chalet “Los Espinillos”, near Alta Gracia; this is to become his final residence in Argentina. In December, he visits Buenos Aires for the last time, to conduct various concerts on Radio “El Mundo”.
1943. (Córdoba, Argentina). In spite of ill health, he continues to work on Atlántida. He proposes to Ricordi Americana an edition of some of his arrangements of works by Victoria, but the idea remains unrealised.
1944. (Córdoba, Argentina). He considers the possibility of giving an incomplete concert performance of Atlántida. He is visited by Jaime Pahissa, the Catalan composer exiled in Buenos Aires, who makes notes for his book Vida y obra de Manuel de Falla, to be published three years later. He works on preparing a film version of El retablo de maese Pedro.
1945. (Córdoba, Argentina). On 10 October, the Argentinian Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes elects Falla as a corresponding member. He rejects an invitation from the Spanish government to return to Spain. Still in poor health, he continues to work on Atlántida, and begins to transcribe final versions of some sections of the work.
1946. (Córdoba, Argentina). On 14 November, nine days before his seventieth birthday, Falla dies in his sleep in “Los Espinillos” as the result of a heart attack. The funeral takes place in Córdoba Cathedral on 18 November. On 22 December, his sister María del Carmen embarks for Spain, accompanying his remains. They arrive at the port of Cádiz on 9 January 1947. His body is finally deposited in the cathedral crypt of his native city.
