Spanish Camino Music – Selection No. 4

[gerardcarey]

Today something really special.

Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concerto De Aranjuez - Adagio - for Guitar and Orchestra.

Born in 1901 and falling victim to a diphtheria epidemic when only three and a half years old, young Joaquin was left almost completely blind. After many vision restoration attempts he was completely blind. With the aid of a devoted helper and companion, Rafael Ibáñez, he was able to cope with day-to-day routines and had someone on hand who could take musical dictation and make copies of his work.

It was his Concerto De Aranjuez that promoted him to international reknown.
Here performed by Orquesta Espanola de Conciertos.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Beautiful guitar music.

 

[peregrina2000]

I was so privileged to see Narciso Yepes on guitar at a performance of this concierto, way back when in the 70s. I am not at all well educated in music, but this piece can bring me to tears whenever I hear it. I have never heard music that so embodies melancholy as this piece does. It has its happy parts, too, but the melancholy is just so powerful.

.

One of my favorite recording is of the genius flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia (RIP) taking on the lead.

 

[Jane Silverman]

Today something really special.

Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concerto De Aranjuez - Adagio - for Guitar and Orchestra.

Born in 1901 and falling victim to a diphtheria epidemic when only three and a half years old, young Joaquin was left almost completely blind. After many vision restoration attempts he was completely blind. With the aid of a devoted helper and companion, Rafael Ibáñez, he was able to cope with day-to-day routines and had someone on hand who could take musical dictation and make copies of his work.

It was his Concerto De Aranjuez that promoted him to international reknown.
Here performed by Orquesta Espanola de Conciertos.

Oh, thank you!!

 

[jmcarp]

...this piece can bring me to tears whenever I hear it. I have never heard music that so embodies melancholy as this piece does. It has its happy parts, too, but the melancholy is just so powerful.

I totally agree.

 

[gerardcarey]

I totally agree.

The popular belief was that it was inspired by the bombing of Guernica 1937.
But in her autobiography, Rodrigo's wife Victoria eventually declared that it was both an evocation of the happy days of their honeymoon and a response to Rodrigo's devastation at the miscarriage of their first pregnancy.

Perhaps melancholy is too mild a word.
Regards
Gerard

 

[Ella L.]

OK...re: Concierto de Aranjuez...set your camino slide show to the Adagio. It is the essence of Spain.

 

[Bisnieta]

I adore the piece also, and this version's just wonderful! Thank you for the treat, gerardcarey!

For years my favorite YouTube version of the adagio features Pablo Sáinz Villegas on guitar. (I believe he's from Logroño, btw) He's appearing with the San Antonio Symphony here in Texas in a couple of weeks & he's (YAY!) scheduled to perform this on that stop.

From 2015 with Carlos Kalmar conducting the Radio & Television Orchestra of Spain:

 

[Peregrinopaul]

For more beautifully plaintive Rodrigo try this link to Fantasia para un Gentilhombre. I suggest you play from 12:50, and follow through to the next movement, Danza de las Hachas - a wonderful Medieval feel.
Joaquin Rodrigo - Fantasia para un gentilhombre
This an arrangement for guitar and piano which I find particularly beautiful; it was originally scored for guitar and orchestra.

 

[CWBuff]

Sometimes known by this title and has lyrics as well
Aranjuez, Mon Amour

 

[Jane Silverman]

Today something really special.

Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concerto De Aranjuez - Adagio - for Guitar and Orchestra.

Born in 1901 and falling victim to a diphtheria epidemic when only three and a half years old, young Joaquin was left almost completely blind. After many vision restoration attempts he was completely blind. With the aid of a devoted helper and companion, Rafael Ibáñez, he was able to cope with day-to-day routines and had someone on hand who could take musical dictation and make copies of his work.

It was his Concerto De Aranjuez that promoted him to international reknown.
Here performed by Orquesta Espanola de Conciertos.

Oh, thank you!

 

[Ella L.]

The popular belief was that it was inspired by the bombing of Guernica 1937.
But in her autobiography, Rodrigo's wife Victoria eventually declared that it was both an evocation of the happy days of their honeymoon and a response to Rodrigo's devastation at the miscarriage of their first pregnancy.

Perhaps melancholy is too mild a word.
Regards
Gerard

I believe his wife was also deathly ill at the time. I find it astonishing that such beauty can arise out of such blackness....and the Concierto ends so triumphantly.