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Tower of Babel

Rodrigo makes a pilgrimage to Paris.

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 follows Rodrigo from Valencia to Paris, where he joins the melting pot of Paul Dukas' composition class - and meets an enchanting young piano teacher...

Zarabanda Lejana
Manuel Barrueco, guitar

Pastorale
Artur Pizarro, piano

2 Berceuses
Artur Pizarro, piano

Bagatela
Artur Pizarro, piano

Preludio de anoranza
Artur Pizarro, piano

Suite pour piano
Gregory Allen, piano

Preludio para un poema a la Alhambra
Castile and Leon Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Max Bragado-Darman

5 piezas infantiles
Jose Meliton and Elena Martin, piano

Produced by Alice McKee for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio

Release date:

59 minutes

On radio

Tue 23 Sep 2025 16:00

Broadcast

  • Tue 23 Sep 2025 16:00

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