Rodrigo's Aranjuez on Ukulele

The definitive concerto of the twentieth century was written by Joaquin Rodrigo for guitar and orchestra. Although a pianist, Rodrigo had an instinct for the sound of the guitar that few have ever achieved. Rodrigo went on to write three more stunning guitar concerti and many solo guitar works, however playing Rodrigo on the guitar is considered one of the pinnacles of technical achievement, playing it musically well, yet another step. The composition has been translated to many other instruments and stylings such as Miles Davis in his "Sketches of Spain" however it is unlikely that it has ever been considered for Ukulele and many would consider the thought ludicrous. But if you listen for the result rather than focusing on the source you might find this very pleasing. And also consider that it is being played by concert guitar virtuoso Byron Tomingas who has and can play the original in concert with his Oribe classical guitar. Byron's Ukulele, he calls it a Soprano Guitar, is tuned similar to a Violin due to the length of the string and the logic of the string relationships. Byron's degree is in Classical Guitar Performance from the esteemed CALARTS.

Byron spent many years as a river guide floating down the Snake River but lately he has taken to walking up the river, floaters often see him slogging upstream with his pup Tango while playing his Ukulele, hence one of the themes of this video. Jack Huyler asked Byron to bring the Ukulele to the Jackson Hole Hootenanny "To show people what it can do", the Hoot audience (almost a cult festival of acoustic music lovers) gave the instrument a standing ovation. You can see other Hoot performances with guitar at YouTube.com/MusicbyTomingas

Also seen in the film is Byron's pup a King Shepherd named Tango, he has his own web site, theme song and video: www.KingShephertTango.shutterfly.com

The Snake River originates in Yellowstone and runs through Jackson Hole Byron's home town. A little further down the river the famous Narrows start. Byron's brother Henry named all the major waves, Kahuna, Lunch Counter, Champagne and others as he pioneered whitewater floating in Jackson. Henry now owns ocean going ships in Alaska, see www.Ocean-Explorers.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ukulele
• Joaquin
• Rodrigo
• Concierto
• de
• Aranjuez
• guitar
• concerto
• Byron
• Tomingas
• Hootenanny
• Henry
• Ocean
• Explorers
• Tango
• King
• Shepherd
• CAL
• ARTS
• MusicMinusOneContest

[MusicbyTomingas]

Thank you for your kind comments, we Uke players need to stick together! So, I'll be looking for your Ukulele video soon right? I have a plan to start putting up some of my original tunes written for the instrument, so watch for that or bug me about it. As to the Maestro, Rodrigo had such a wonderful ear for what would sound good on a guitar, all of his things when played well are brilliant, I've done many of them on guitar but this is the only thing of his I also do on Uke. Thanks again.

[Hikikomori013]

Magnificent. That's a tenor uke, isn't it?

I'd like to tuck a ukulele under the seat of my scooter and run through your local mountains. It looks like fun.

[ukenutcase]

Hi I live in Valencia Spain not far from where Rodrigo was born. I'm from Manchester and am learning uke (not many ukers here). This is one helluva piece even for guitar players let alone uke players. Well done great job