DEER PARK, an enclosure of pastureland for deer. The largest existing deer park in England is at Savernake (4,000ac.). DE FALLA, MANUEL ), Spanish composer, was born at Cadiz on Nov. 23, 1876. He studied piano with Jose Trago and composition with Felipe Pedrell in Madrid. In 19o5 he won the prize offered by the Academia de Bellas Artes with his opera La Vida breve. Two years later he went to live in Paris, where he met with much help and encouragement from Debussy, Ravel, Dukas and others, who recognized the sincerity of his aims. La Vida breve was produced at Nice in 1913 and in Paris the year following. When at last it reached Spain it was received with great enthusiasm; but in view of the tardy recognition of the composer in his own country overtures were made to him to become a naturalized Frenchman and so improve his chances of being heard in Paris. This he declined to do, and on the outbreak of the World War in 1914 he went back to Spain, where he made an exhaustive study of Spanish folk-music—in particular of the cante of Andalusia—before settling in his new home in Granada in the precincts of the Alhambra. The traditional music of Spain provides an unusually rich source of inspiration, containing as it does melodic elements from the church modes introduced by early Christians and Eastern rhythms brought by the Moors. De Falla's researches in this field have made him a national composer in the profoundest sense of the word. He makes comparatively little use of traditional melodies as they stand; for although he believes that the modality of folk-tunes should, and does, form the basis of all great music, his belief implies not only a complete absorption of the spirit of that modality, but a thorough testing of the material in the light of the composer's aesthetic and ethical principles. Acting upon this, he submits his own work to the most searching revision before it is given to the public, though fortunately without destroying its effect of spontaneity. He is a firm believer in tonality and in consonant chords, having no love of dissonance for its own sake. His best-known work is the brilliant second ballet, The Three-cornered Hat, which was first played by the Russian Ballet at the Alhambra, London, in 1919. His first ballet, Love the Magician, was performed in Madrid in 1915. Another dramatic work is Master Peter's Puppet-Show, a scenic version of a chapter from Don Qidxote. He also wrote: Nights in the Gardens of Spain for piano and orchestra; Con certo for harpsichord (or pf.), fl., ob., clar., vlin. and 'cello; Pieces espagnoles for piano; and Seven Spanish Folk-Songs.
See Manuel de Falla, Miniature Essays (J. & W. Chester, Ltd., London) ; Dictionary of Mod. M & Musicians (London).