November 22nd
Joaquín Rodrigo 22 November 1901 – 6 July 1999
Fantasía para un gentilhombre
Concierto de Aranjuez Grimethorpe Colliery Band
By Mrexcel – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4585287
Joaquín Rodrigo Vidre, born on 22 November 1901 in Sagunto, Valencia, was a profoundly influential Spanish composer and pianist. Despite losing his sight entirely at the age of three due to diphtheria, Rodrigo showed remarkable talent from a young age, beginning to study piano and violin by eight. His dedication led him to create many celebrated compositions, with the most famous being the Concierto de Aranjuez, composed in 1939.
This concerto has become a key piece in classical guitar repertoire, renowned for its beautiful melodies that convey deep emotion. Rodrigo penned his music in Braille, showcasing his impressive ability to adapt to his challenges. Throughout his esteemed career, he taught music history at the Complutense University in Madrid and garnered accolades for his work, including a title of nobility.
