Work of the Week - Joaquin Rodrigo: Concierto Andaluz

“Grandmasters of the Guitar” – this is the title that Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo gave to Los Romeros, the guitar dynasty of Celedonio Romero and his sons Ángel, Celín and Pepe. Articulating his devotion to this remarkable family, Rodrigo composed Concierto andaluz, for four guitars and orchestra. The world premiere of this piece was performed by Los Romeros and the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Viktor Alessandro in San Antonio, TX on November, 18th 1967.

“Los Romeros developed the art of playing the guitar in such a way that makes complexity seem very easy” – this, of course, is what composer always wants to accomplish. Rodrigo dedicated the Concierto andaluz to this family of guitarists, which has its roots in Andalucía and is now playing concerts in the third generation, after he finalized the composition in 1967. Over forty years later, between February 10th and 23rd 2009, Los Romeros and the Real Orquestra Sinfónica de Sevilla will perform this composition in Vienna, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Hannover, Zurich and Munich under the musical direction of Pedro Halffter.

The Concierto andaluz is not only an homage to the four famous guitar virtuosi, but also an homage to the landscape and the music of Andalusia. This Spanish region is especially reflected in the characteristic forms of the Flamenco, Bulerías, Zapateado and Sevillanas. Rodrigo also retained the idea of the baroque concerto with multiple solo instruments in this piece for orchestra and guitar-quartet.

• Joaquín Rodrigo - Profile