Narciso Yepes - Concerto d'Aranjuez : Adagio

At the height of his career, Narciso Yepes interprets Joaquin Rodrigo's masterpiece on his 10-string guitar. The conductor is Raphael Frübeck de Burgos with the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Frankfurt.
Rodrigo:
What can I say about Narciso Yepes? What can I say about the guitarist to whom we owe the international success of the Concerto de Aranjuez? Yes, it was in Paris in 1947 where Ataulfo Argenta, Yepes and the Spanish National Orchestra met to illuminate my unique opus at a time when no one new its true future. From then on, the Concierto de Aranjuez took on a new nature, and it is for this same reason that I am grateful to Narciso Yepes for the fruit of an intense collaboration that has brought us to travel our musical trajectories side-by-side. I will not say that Yepes was the best nor the worst. He has simply been my guitarist par excellence. My guitarist.
Joaquin Rodrigo in « El Mundo » May 4, 1997 (in commemoration of the Maestro's passing)

Besides the fact that I love this music, this artist, this video is here for several reasons: I'm learning to play this music; Mr. Bonsillens has regrettably deactivated commentary on his version; and I really wanted to pass on the story of how this collaboration between the composer and the guitarist began :

After an honorable but lackluster start with guitarist Regino Sainz de la Maza, this concerto was not played between 1940 and 1947. Then, Ataulfo Argenta introduced 19-year-old Narciso to Rodrigo who handed over the score, saying: "Take this, chiquito (young man), take this concerto. With this, you will go around the world" After hearing the fruit of three weeks of labour by the guitarist, Rodrigo embraced him, saying: "This will make us both famous"

Enjoy

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Yepes
• Narciso
• concerto
• Aranjuez
• spanish
• classical
• guitar
• music
• musica
• adagio
• Frubeck
• Burgos
• Joaquin
• Rodrigo

[drewdavis58]

Rodrigo:

What can I say about Narciso Yepes? What can I say about the guitarist to whom we owe the international success of the Concerto de Aranjuez? Yes, it was in Paris in 1947 where Ataulfo Argenta, Yepes and the Spanish National Orchestra met to illuminate my unique opus at a time when no one knew its true future. From then on, the Concierto de Aranjuez took on a new nature, and it is for this same reason that I am grateful to Narciso Yepes for the fruit of an intense collaboration

[drewdavis58]

that has brought us to travel our musical trajectories side-by-side. I will not say that Yepes was the best nor the worst. He has simply been my guitarist par excellence. My guitarist.

Joaquin Rodrigo in « El Mundo » May 4, 1997 (in commemoration of the Maestro's passing)

[AnonymousOneThree]

This is my favorite piece of music. I love this version, but I have to say that I prefer Paco de Lucia's. (But I still wish I could play that guitar:)

[drewdavis58]

@AnonymousOneThree Paco de Lucia is certainly a great musician, but since he does not read sheet music, would you care to guess who he asked to coach him on the Aranjuez concerto? Anyway, thanks for stopping by.

[Evilbasstard]

Is there any DVD of this record ? Can we find it in a music / movie / specialized store ? I'd like to watch the entire concerto. Thank you for your help and for posting such a fabulous piece of Music !

[drewdavis58]

@Evilbasstard A user named paparatzito has posted the whole concerto (minus the very beginning).

Otherwise, the Yepes family is currently acquiring rights to many archives so please check back later; this could be available on a DVD...

[alvesarmando762]

I was aching for something to move my soul ; this sets me into a state of chaos. It moves me into confusion. It is so sad. It is so beautifull. It is perfection.

I am very liberal, musicaly. Let music be gone; but not this masterpiece as is.

[lafde44]

This music to me is simply overwhelming! It is truly sweeping and majestic. My tastes in music have been described to me as eclectic, as I am as comfortable with Dvorak as I am Dokken. If this music doesn't move you, check your pulse, because it makes you glad to be alive!

[cleomar575]

Essa musica me traz muita paz.

[stevenjohnbarr]

This is my favorite piece of music ever and to be played as well as this is truly breathtaking.

[1949Jens]

no words can give the rightfull meaning of this....beyond all...

[aristotle358]

Yepes' performance of this concerto was my introduction to the piece about 27 years ago. I was intrigued by his use of a ten stringed instrument. I think he plays the cadenza on this performance beautifully!

[walid12manutd]

just amazing

[ojarazca]

Hermosa pieza de un grandisimo compositor y magistral ejecucion, un gran regalo para los oidos y el sentimiento.

[diamantbleuharterfn]

Tous simplement majestueux

[VenusDeArt]

so beautiful.....faved it. Just wonderful and touching

[krakenzgz]

El maestro Rodrigo, ciego de nacimiento, nos dejo obras como esta. Y más aún si se sabe la historia de esta composición. Homenajea a Aranjuez porque allí fue donde pasó la luna de miel con su mujer y lo segundo y más emotivo, es que cuenta la triste historia de cuando su mujer fue a dar a luz y el hijo nació muerto y del parto ella estuvo a punto de morir también. Se pueden sentir los diferentes movimientos de pena, de rogar por la mujer, de rabia y de aceptación de la muerte del hijo.