Concierto de Aranjuez

Discover Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez on medici.tv!

Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar and orchestra is the most famous work by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo. Composed in 1939 while the musician was still living in Paris, this three-movement work — Allegro con spirito, Adagio, and Allegro gentile — immediately won over audiences and elevated its author to the pantheon of the greatest Spanish composers of the 20th century. The first movement, lively and rhythmic, draws on dance motifs reminiscent of the fandango, in a constant dialogue between the strummed chords of the guitar and the orchestra’s melodies. Next comes the Adagio, the concerto’s most famous movement, and its origins are shrouded in mystery (a cry of pain following his wife’s miscarriage? A cry of horror at the bombing of Guernica? Or simply a figment of the composer’s imagination?). The guitar first accompanies a deeply melancholic melody played by the cor anglais, before a long cadenza leads to a poignant orchestral climax. The concerto concludes with a lighter Allegro gentile, evoking a court dance that alternates between duple and tripe meters. The work takes its name from the gardens of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, a spring residence built by Philip II and later remodeled in the 18th century by Ferdinand VI. Rodrigo sought to capture its magnolia scents, birdsong, and trickling of fountains through music.

The birth of a masterpiece

At the request of the Marquis de Bolarque during a dinner held in September 1938 in San Sebastián with guitarist Regino Saínz de la Maza, Rodrigo embarked on this unprecedented project: to offer the guitar — which, despite the momentum generated by Andrés Segovia, was still unerrepresented in the concert repertoire —  a work worthy of a full orchestra. He composed most of the concerto in Paris, where he lived with his wife, Victoria, before leaving France two days after the start of World War II, carrying in his meager luggage the original manuscript written in braille (Rodrigo had been blind since the age of three). Premiered on 9 November 1940 at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona by Regino Saínz de la Maza and the Barcelona Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of César Mendoza Lasalle, the concerto quickly achieved a success that has never waned since.

Concertio de Aranjuez, a work that transcends the boundaries of classical music

The success of the Concertio de Aranjuez  — and in particular its moving Adagio  — quickly spread beyond the realm of classical music. As early as 1960, trumpeter Miles Davis, backed by arranger Gil Evans, took the main theme of the Adagio and used it to open his album Sketches of Spain, a reinterpretation that has since achieved cult status in the jazz world. Guitarist Jim Hall paid his own tribute in 1975 with the album Concierto, featuring Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, and Ron Carter  — a performance that is considered one of the highlights of his career. The Modern Jazz Quartet also recorded several versions of the concerto, notably alongside Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida. Later,  Paco de Lucía offered his own unique take on the work, creating a dialogue between his artistry on the flamenco guitar and the symphonic tradition. In 1991, the legendary guitarist dedicated the first three tracks of his album Concierto de Aranjuez to his own interpretation of the concerto.

Rodrigo’s Concertio de Aranjuez on medici.tv

medici.tv, the largest streaming platform for classical music, is the perfect place to discover this gem of the Spanish repertoire, which transcends genres! In our catalog of over 4500 programmes, immerse yourself in a fabulous concerto by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra featuring guitarist John Williams, or in this jazz concert where Chick Corea performs the second movement… and to continue your exploration of Spanish music, check out our playlist dedicated to Iberian composers!