Composer Profile: Joaquin Rodrigo

Like many composers, Rodrigo battled physical adversity. Blind from the age of three, he often said that his disability led him to music. He died in 1999, aged 98.
His most famous work, The Concierto of Aranjuez was only half finished when his wife, pregnant with their first child fell ill, and was expected to die. On being told the news, Rodrigo vented his grief by composing the Adagio at the piano. As it happened, Victoria survived (and was inseparable from Rodrigo until her death in 1997), but the child died.
Throughout the piece one can feel a pulse which signifies the child's heart beating. One experiences the anguish Rodrigo felt during the violent rasgueados of the virtuosic cadenza. And finally Rodrigo depicts the child's ascent to heaven with the final chords of the piece.
Listen to Adagio (Track 14) on William Wilson's La Catedral to experience this piece.

Just For Fun...

A young child says to his mother, "Mom, when I grow up I think I'd like to be a musician." She replies, "Well honey, you know you can't do both."

Q: What is the difference between a guitar and a tuna fish?
A: You can tune a guitar but you can't tuna fish.