n Rodrigo
Complete Orchestral Works . 2
Concerto de Aranjuez,
Fantasia para un gentilhombre
Concierto Andaluz
Joaquin Rodrigo's Aranjuez concerto is widely known by the general public, even if they are unaware of its name or the name of its composer.
The work was first performed after the end of the Spanish Civil War, in 1939. Rodrigo used his intimate knowledge of the Spanish guitar and considerable compositional skills to balance a full orchestra with this solo instrument to achieve his first work of note and the first modern work for guitar and orchestra.
Harmonically, he does not take many risks. He uses a classical three movement form, but the atmosphere is undoubtedly rooted in Spanish traditional music which bears an uncanny resemblance to mediaeval dance music in harmony, melody and rhythm, borne out by the following two concerti even more strongly.
And the final movement is indeed written as a courtly dance using bars of 2/4 time combined with 3/4 time to produce tension and drama.
In the Fantasia para un gentilhombre written for Segovia in 1954, the more adventurous harmonies and rhythms show the listener exactly what this composer was capable of other than harking back to 17th Century.
As the recording progresses we are treated to startling harmonic scoring uncharacteristic to the rest of the rather predictable, though beautiful, work we have come to expect from Rodrigo. Here he uses high pitched flutes with clashing intervals which add spice and texture.
The adagio movement in the Concierto Andaluz, written in 1967, makes more than a passing reference to the adagio of the Aranjuez concerto.
Can a composer be accused of plagiarism from his own work? If so, Rodrigo is unashamedly guilty, but he develops the theme and rhythm to create a whirring texture which pushes the piece to a haunting conclusion.
All three works are beautifully played with masterful interpretation and execution. If you enjoy Rodrigo I would highly recommend cashing in a few of those Christmas CD tokens.
Naxos Spanish Classics 8.555841
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