Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez Premiere

Classical Music Milestone: November 9

Composer Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, for guitar and orchestra, premieres in Barcelona, Spain.

The Concierto de Aranjuez by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo is first performed on November 9, 1940. It  is a composition for classical guitar and orchestra. Written in 1939, it is considered his best-known work, and its worldwide success established his reputation as one of the most significant Spanish composers of the 20th century.

Dateline of Concierto de Aranjuez:

• Premiere:  November 9, 1940
• Guitarist:  Regino Sainz de la Maza
• Orchestra:  Orquesta Filarmónica de Barcelona
• Conductor:  César Mendoza Lasalle
• Venue:  Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Spain

Music Movements

This concerto is in the traditional three movements:

1.  Allegro con spirito
2. Adagio
3. Allegro gentile

The second movement  is marked by its slow pace and quiet melody, introduced by the English horn, with a soft accompaniment by the guitar and strings.

Narciso Yepes – Concierto de Aranjuez (2)

Video:

YouTube,  Narciso Yepes – Concierto de Aranjuez  uploaded by bonsillens

Sources:

• Annala, Hannu; Heiki Mätlik (2008). Handbook of Guitar and Lute Composers. Mel Bay Publications.
• Coelho, Victor; Jonathan Cross (2003). The Cambridge Companion to the Guitar. Cambridge University Press.
• Morris, Mark (1999). The Pimlico Dictionary of Twentieth Century Composers.  London. Pimlico.