Concierto de Aranjuez

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The Concierto de Aranjuez is a composition for classical guitar and orchestra of the Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo. Written in 1939, it is probably Rodrigo's best-known work, its success establishing his reputation as one of the foremost post-war Spanish composers.

[edit] Introduction

Written in early 1939, in Paris, amid the tensions of the pending war, it was the first work Rodrigo had written for guitar and orchestra. The instrumentation is unique: rarely does the guitar face the forces of a full orchestra. However, the guitar is never overwhelmed, remaining the solo instrument throughout.

[edit] Movements

This concerto is in three movements, Allegro con spirito, Adagio and Allegro gentile. The second movement provided thematic material for another composition, Aranjuez, Mon Amour. The third movement is in mixed metre, alternating between 2/4 and 3/4.

[edit] Inspiration

The Concierto de Aranjuez was inspired by and written for the gardens at Palacio Real de Aranjuez, the spring resort (or palace) and gardens originally built by Philip II in the last half of the 16^th century, and later rebuilt in the middle of the 18^th century by Ferdinand VI. The work attempts to transport the listener to the sounds of nature in both another place and time.

According to the composer, the first movement is "animated by a rhythmic spirit and vigour without either of the two themes... interrupting its relentless pace", the second movement "represents a dialogue between guitar and solo instruments (cor anglais, bassoon, oboe, horn etc)", and the last movement "recalls a courtly dance in which the combination of duple and triple time maintains a taut tempo right to the closing bar". He described the concerto itself as capturing "the fragrance of magnolias, the singing of birds and the gushing of fountains" in the gardens of Aranjuez.

Some say that the second movement was inspired by the bombing of Guernica which happened in 1937. In her autobiography, the composer's wife Victoria maintains that it was an evocation of the happy days of their honeymoon, and a response to Rodrigo's devastation at the miscarriage of their first baby.

Rodrigo, having been blind since age three, was a pianist and did not play the guitar, yet he still captured the spirit of diversity of the guitar in Spain.

[edit] Interpretations

A number of musicians have since reinterpreted the work, including jazz legend Miles Davis. On the album Sketches of Spain, Davis says: "That melody is so strong that the softer you play it, the stronger it gets, and the stronger you play it, the weaker it gets". Violinist Ikuko Kawai's version, Aranjuez, is an upbeat, faster update to the work. Clarinettist Jean-Christian Michel revisited Aranjuez's concerto. His clarinet's transcription "Aranjuez" has sold on 1,500,000 copies. Virtuoso Guitarist Buckethead covered Sketches of Spain on the album Electric Tears, this was also a tribute to Miles Davis. Latin guitarist Paco de Lucia also interpreted the adagio secton which can be found on Paco de Lucia:The Collection. He also played the whole composition in 1991 which was released as: Concierto de Aranjuez.

[edit] Popularity

The Adagio is likely the most famous, and most recognizable part of the piece, and used in numerous movies, television shows, and commercials. Consequently many people will have heard Concierto de Aranjuez without knowing its title or composer.

According to research by the Spanish General Society of Authors and Editors (SGAE) in July 2005, the Concierto de Aranjuez is the most beloved Spanish composition in Japan.

The jazz keyboardist Chick Corea quotes the piece before he starts playing his jazz standard "Spain" in one of the early Return to Forever albums from the 70's.

Figure skater Michelle Kwan won her fifth World Championship skating to the Ikuko Kawai's interpretation, popularizing the version.

A brass version of the Adagio made a prominent appearance in the 1992 British movie Brassed Off, played by Grimethorpe Colliery Band and referred to by the film's characters as 'Rodrigo's Concierto de Orange Juice'.

In the movie School of Rock, hearing his students practice the Concierto de Aranjuez in music class gives main character Dewey Finn the idea to form a rock band with the children.

The theme for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, "Follow Me" is based on the second movement of the concerto.

[edit] Tribute to Rodrigo

In 1991, Rodrigo was raised to nobility by King Juan Carlos, given the title Marqués de los Jardines de Aranjuez (Marquis of the Gardens of Aranjuez).

Joaquín Rodrigo and his wife Victoria are buried in the cemetery at Aranjuez.

[edit] Premiere

On December 11, 1940 the concerto received its first performance in Madrid, at the Teatro Español de Madrid conducted by Jesús Arámbarri, with the same soloist, de la Maza.

[edit] Analysis

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Source

Preface to the Ernst Eulenburg edition of the work, EE6785

[edit] Discography

[edit] External links

• Joaquin Rodrigo website (ENGLISH)
• Joaquin Rodrigo website (SPANISH)
• Barbara Heninger's program notes @ Barbwired.com
• http://www.sgae.es/viewnot/cont.inm?instanceId=1090&tipoId=38 Press release of SGAE about the preference of the Japanese to the Concierto de Aranjuez (SPANISH)
• History of Aranjuez's concerto
• Trio Gitano version of Adagio

Category: Compositions by Joaquín Rodrigo