Rodrigo: Concierto De Aranjuez

Read About This Recording

There is no shortage of recordings of what must be the most popular pieces in the classical guitar repertoire: Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez and the Fantasia para un gentilhombre, but you would be hard pressed to find any performance as subtle as this one. With Placido Domingo conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra and Manuel Barrueco strumming his guitar, the resulting readings of these classics is absolutely magical.

In the Concierto, Domingo builds the sound phrase after phrase, like gentle waves washing up on a shore. The blend between solo guitar and orchestra is superb, and the second movement is a languorous, moody poem that sounds as if Barrueco is actually making up the solo part as he goes along.

The Fantasia picks up where the Concierto leaves off; though the four movements sound slower than I ever recall hearing them, the pace works to bring out the rich musical colors of Rodrigo's compositions.

As a wonderful, unexpected bonus Barrueco serves as a worthy partner to Domingo's beautiful voice in songs for tenor and guitar along with two works for solo guitar. If you've ever wanted to hear passionate, pure guitar playing, this is it and it's all by the master of the Spanish idiom, Joaquin Rodrigo.

-Jacob Anthony

Quotes

Played with the utmost expressivity

Contents

Concierto de Aranjuez; Coplillas de Belen; Pastorcito santo; Un tiempo fue Italica famosa; Adela; Coplas del Pastor enamorado; Zarabanda lejana; Fantasia para un gentilhombre.

Manuel Barrueco, Guitar; Philharmonia Orchestra; Placido Domingo, Tenor/Conductor.