The professor in music at the University of Madrid Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999) is one of the major figures of the Spanish Music School. Only three years old, he loses his sight almost completely. He receives solid music education with Francisco Antic, Eduardo Lopez Chavari and Paul Duka. A strong influence on his work is exerted by Manuel de Falla, who directs him toward the mastery of the unique Spanish folklore which later becomes the foundation of his work. Although he is the author of numerous multi-genre compositions – four concerts for piano, violin, violoncello and harp, the Pavana Real ballet, four love madrigals for voice and orchestra, etc. – his world renown is due to his two guitar concerts, bearing the titles Aranjuez
(1938-1939) and Fantasy for a Gentleman (1955). Announced thematic quotations from works by the remarkable Spanish guitarist Andreas Sanse (who lived during the 17th century) serve as a basis for the latter concert which is dedicated to the world-famous leader among the guitarists Andres Segovia.
A remarkable fact about the composer’s popularity is that currently several international guitarist competitions in Argentina, Spain, Turkey, etc. are united in a festival chain, bearing the name Rodrigo. Crowned with deserved honour and glory, Joaquin Rodrigo dies at the age of 98.