2 Dec 2012

Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999)

From Composer of the Week, 9:15 am on 2 December 2012
Chinese Kiosks in the Prince's Garden of Aranjuez

Chinese Kiosks in the Prince's Garden of Aranjuez Photo: Ángel Serrano Sánchez de León, Public Domain

As Roger Wilson points out, Rodrigo’s run-away success was his Concierto de Aranjuez. It gave him financial security; honours: amongst other things he was made the Marquis of the Gardens of Aranjuez; and it is most certainly Rodrigo’s most enduring work. It’s been covered by Miles Davis, Led Zeppelin and Placido Domingo to name just a few. But Rodrigo was not just a one trick pony and did not just write for guitar.

Music Details:

RODRIGO: A la busca del más allá - Castile & León SO/ Max Bragado Darman (Naxos 8.555962)
RODRIGO: Son chicos que pasan, from Cinco Piezas Infantiles – Asturias SO/ Maximiano Valdés (Naxos 8.555844)
RODRIGO: Preludio al Gallo Mañanero - Artur Pizarro (pno) (Naxos 8.557923)
RODRIGO: Concierto de Aranjuez (1) - Charles Ramirez (gtr), CO of Europe/ Douglas Boyd (Signum SIGCD 244)
RODRIGO: Concierto de Aranjuez (2) - Charles Ramirez (gtr), CO of Europe/ Douglas Boyd (Signum SIGCD 244)
RODRIGO: Fantasia para un gentilhombre (3) - Charles Ramirez (gtr), CO of Europe/ Douglas Boyd (Signum SIGCD 244)
RODRIGO: De los alamos vengo, from Cuatro madrigals amatorios – Victoria de Los Angeles (sop) (EMI 5 66937)
RODRIGO: Hymns of the Neophytes - María Jesús Prieto (sop), Victoria Marchante (sop), Ada Allende (sop), men of the Madrid Community Chorus, Madrid Community Orch/ José Ramún Encinar (Naxos 8.557223)
RODRIGO: Sonata No 1, from Sonatas de Castilla - María Garzón (pno) (ASV CDDCA 990)
RODRIGO: Concierto de Aranjuez (3) - Charles Ramirez (gtr), CO of Europe/ Douglas Boyd (Signum SIGCD 244)