Classical Music | Guitar Music

Recorded on 11/02/2004, uploaded on 01/22/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Sonata Giocosa      Joaquin Rodrigo

Allegro moderato; Andante moderato; Allegro

Joaquin Rodrigo has become one of the best known Spanish composers this century through his "Concierto de Aranjuez" written in 1939. "Sonata Giocosa" is a later work, but has all the captivating elements that made the concerto so popular. Despite being blind since the age of three, Rodrigo went to study in Paris. His talents were encouraged by Paul Dukas with whom he studied for five years.

This piece was Rodrigo's first sonata for the guitar although he had written works for the piano using sonata form. The Spanish character of the sonata is apparent from the opening bars with a strong rasgueado (the rhythmic strumming characteristic of flamenco guitar) interspersed with single line melody. The second movement moves to e minor. It is melancholic with a strongly baroque influence. The final "Allegro" returns to A Major.     Ana Vidovic

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.