Today marks the ten year anniversary of the death of the famous Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo. Coincidentally, his birthdate was November 22, 1901, St Cecilia's day, which commemorates the patron saint of music. Unfortunately as a three-year-old, he lost his sight due to the raging diphtheria epidemic; he became interested in music and studied solfeggio, piano and violin at the age of eight. By the time he reached sixteen, he was a student at the Conservatoire in Valencia under the tutelage of Francisco Antich, Enrique Gomá and Eduardo López Chavarri. He composed in braille and later in life dictated his music to a copyist.
His early pieces from 1923 include a Suite for Piano, Dos Esbozos for Violin and Piano, and a Siciliana for Cello. In 1924 Juglares, his first orchestral work, received its premiere in Valencia and Madrid. He left Spain for Paris In 1927 and studied at the École Normale de Musique as a pupil of Paul Dukas; his special feeling toward his teacher led him to dedicate his 1935 Sonada de Adiós for Piano in memory of him. His wife, Turkish pianist Victoria Kamhi, was not only an indispensable spouse but served as a collaborative artist in many of his works. In 1939 he returned to Spain and became involved in the musical community as a composer, music critic, pianist, university professor and Head of the Artistic Section of the Spanish National Organization for the Blind. He achieved international success with his 1940 Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra.
His music reflects the colors, cultures, landscapes and voices of the Spanish peninsula. His oeuvre encompasses choral and instrumental works, music for the movies and theater, over sixty songs and eleven concertos for various instruments. He received commissions from many famous artists like Gaspar Cassadó, James Galway, Andrés Segovia, the Romero guitar quartet, etc.
He was the recipient of many awards and citations throughout his life including the Gran Cruz de Alfonso X el Sabio, the Gran Cruz del Mérito Civil, Medallas de Oro al Mérito en el Trabajo y en las Bellas Artes, the National Music Prize, honorary doctorates, etc. In 1991, the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, bestowed the royal title ‘Marqués de los Jardines de Aranjuez’. In 1996, he received the Prince of Asturias Prize, the highest honor awarded in Spain in recognition of his abilities and accomplishments for making the Spanish guitar a a concert instrument.
If you haven't heard his music, here is the second movement of his Concierto de Aranjuez performed by John Williams and the Berlin Philharmonic.
