Joaquín Rodrigo

Concierto de Aranjuez

        For composers not of the ranks of the immortals it is rare to have the privilege to create the one composition that--almost alone of their works—seems to take on a life of its own, and becomes cherished by the whole world.   We can think of Barber’s Adagio for Strings, for example, and perhaps Alford’s Colonel Bogey March, for another.  Certainly, Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez for solo guitar and orchestra falls into this category.  Rodrigo lived a long life as an honored and distinguished composer, but he will always be remembered for this one composition.  It is known and loved the world over, enjoying several lives as background music in any number of contexts.   I first encountered it thirty-something years ago so used on a humorous progr

Concierto pastoral for Flute and Orchestra

            For composers not of the ranks of the immortals it is rare to have the privilege to create the one composition that--almost alone of their works—seems to take on a life of its own, and becomes cherished by the whole world.   We can think of Barber’s Adagio for Strings, for example, and perhaps Alford’s Colonel Bogey March, for another.  Certainly, Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez for solo guitar and orchestra falls into this category.  Rodrigo, of course, is not an unknown, for during his lifetime he became one of the most honored composers that Spain has ever produced, along with Albéniz, Falla, Granados, and Turina.  Born in Valencia, he contracted diphtheria when he was three years old and permanently lost his eyesight.  He studied piano

Fantasía para un gentilhombre

        For composers not of the ranks of the immortals it is rare to have the privilege to create the one composition that--almost alone of their works—seems to take on a life of its own, and becomes cherished by the whole world.   We can think of Barber’s Adagio for Strings, for example, and perhaps Alford’s Colonel Bogey March, for another.  Certainly, Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez for solo guitar and orchestra falls into this category.  Rodrigo lived a long life as an honored and distinguished composer, but he will always be remembered for this one composition.