Joaquin Rodrigo

        Joaquin Rodrigo is a blind Spanish composer. He composed guitar music. For example, He composed concerto de Aranjues.

        Joaquin Rodrigo was born in Sagunto (Valencia, Spain) on 22 November 1901. At the age of three he lost his sight almost completery as a result of an epidemic of diphtheria. At the age of eight he began his first musical studies, solfege, piano, and composition with teacher from the conservation in Valencia. His first compositions date from 1923. In 1924, his first work for orchestra, Juglares, was premiered in Valencia and Madrid, and he obtained a diploma in a national competition for the orchestral work Cinco piezas infantiles, which was later premiered in Paris by the Straram Orchestra. From the outset of his career Rodrigo wrote all his work in Braille, dictating them after to copyist.

        In 1927, Rodrigo move to Paris to enroll at the Ecole Normale de Musique, where he studied for five years with Paul Dulas, who had a particular affection for his Spanish pupil. Rodrigo wrote is Sonata de adios for piano in memory of Dukas in 1935. He soon became known as both pianist and composer. In 1933, Rodrigo married the Turkish pianist Victoria Kamhi, who after then until her death in 1997 became his inseparable companion. He continued his studies of music in France and also worked in Germany, Austria and Switzerland before returning to Spain in 1939.

        Joaquin Rodrigo died at his home in Madrid, Spain on the July 6, 1999. He died surrounding his family. Then, he was ninety-seven years old. His daughter Cecilia is a composer too, and she is married to the famous violinist Agustin Leon Ara. She founded the publishing house of Editiones Joaquin Rodrigo in 1989. And she created the Victoria and Joaquin Rodrigo Foundation in 1999. His death disseminated of Joaquin Rodrigo's music throughout the world.

        Concerto de Aranjues is the most famous composition of Joaquin Rodrigo. Aranjues is the small city located 50 kilometers south of Madrid, Spain. This city is the dominion of king of Spain. The successive king of the Spain has been afflicted the place. For example, foreign problem and nation's policy. This city surrounded by forest. There is old royal palace and garden. It's beautiful. Such a beautiful traditional city is the theme of "concerto de Aranjues." Rodrigo felt a great love for the city.

        Joaquin Rodrigo's composed many and varied music. His compositions include eleven concertos for various instruments, more than sixty songs, choral and instrumental work, and music for the theatre and the cinema. The music of Joaquin Rodrigo is a respect for the rich and variety of cultures of Spain. No other Spanish composer has drawn on so many different aspects of his countryıs spirit as sources of inspiration from the history of Roman Spain to the work of contemporary poets. His music is stylish, luminous, basically optimistic, with a particular lead of melody, and with original harmonies. His many writings on music reveal a profound understanding of his art and include subjects as varied as sixteenth century polyphony, the symphonic poems of Richard Strauss, and the art of the guide.

        His first works show the influence of composers. For example Ravel and Stravinsky. But the personal voice is quickly heard which go on to create a well-known chapter in the cultural history of Spain in the 20th century. And the originality of Rodrigo's musical inspiration goes hand in hand with a affection to the basic values of his tradition.