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Rodrigo finally finds fame.

The Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo is responsible for one of the most instantly recognisable works for classical guitar - if not one of the most famous pieces of classical music full stop. But when he was just three years old and a bout of diptheria left him almost completely blind, a future in composition seemed out of the question. How did he become one of Spain's most revered musical minds?

In this programme, Donald Macleod sees the Guitar Concerto transform Rodrigo’s career, with the composer finally finding recognition in Spain and far beyond.

Fantasia para un Gentilhombre: I. Villano y Ricercare
Pepe Romero, guitar
Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner

Concierto de estio: Siciliana: Andantino
Mikhail Ovrutsky, violin
Castile and Leon Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Max Darman Bragado

Invocacion y danza
Miloš Karadaglić, guitar

Ausencias de Dulcinea
José Antonio López, baritone
Lilian Moriani, soprano
Victoria Marchante, soprano
Celia Alcedo, soprano
María José Suárez, mezzo-soprano
Víctor Arriola, violín
Orquesta y Coro de la Comunidad de Madrid, conducted by José Ramón Encinar

Concierto para una fiesta: Andante calmo
Pepe Romero, guitar
Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner

Produced by Alice McKee for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 26 Sep 2025 16:00

Music Played

  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    Fantasia para un Gentilhombre (Villano y Ricercare)

    Performer: Pepe Romero. Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Conductor: Neville Marriner.
    • DECCA : 438 016-2.
    • DECCA.
    • 4.
  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    Concierto de Estio (2nd mvt, Sicilienne)

    Performer: Mikhail Ovrutsky. Orchestra: Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León. Conductor: Max Bragado-Darman.
    • NAXOS : 8.555840.
    • NAXOS.
    • 5.
  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    Invocacion y Danza (Hommage to Manuel De Falla)

    Performer: Miloš Karadaglić.
    • DG : 481-081-1.
    • DG.
    • 6.
  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    Ausencias de Dulcinea

    Performer: Víctor Arriola. Singer: José Antonio López. Singer: Lilian Moriani. Singer: Celia Alcedo. Singer: María José Suárez. Orchestra: Comunidad de Madrid Orchestra. Choir: Comunidad De Madrid Chorus. Conductor: José Ramón Encinar.
    • NAXOS : 8.570260.
    • NAXOS.
    • 1.
  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    Concierto para una fiesta (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Pepe Romero. Performer: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Conductor: Neville Marriner.
    • DECCA : 475 6360.
    • DECCA.
    • 27.

Broadcast

  • Fri 26 Sep 2025 16:00

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