What you didn't know about the famous Concierto de Aranjuez
Discover the link between the well-known masterpiece of Spanish classical music and flamenco.
Aranjuez Palace
Discovering the different and unexpected ways in which flamenco is part of our culture, inspiring and being inspired by other musical genres, artistic disciplines and places is really exciting.
On this occasion, we come to talk about the famous Concierto de Aranjuez, a musical composition for guitar and orchestra composed by the Spanish musician Joaquín Rodrigo, being the composer's best known work and one of the masterpieces of Spanish classical music that has captivated audiences around the world for its beauty and ability to move.
The concerto was written in early 1939 in Paris. The composer's intention was to reflect the gardens of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, one of the world's most important World Heritage of Humanity according to UNESCO of the Region of Madrid that you cannot miss in your next visit of tablaos flamencos.
Royal Gardens of Aranjuez
Photo: Miguel Ángel Sanz Unsplash
And while the concerto is divided into three movements, Allegro con spirito, Adagio and Allegro gentile, the second is the best known and the one we come to talk about today. The Adagio, in which the solo guitar performs a beautiful and emotional slow melody, has inspired many artists —even jazz legend Miles Davis did his own interpretation of the piece— including artists from the world of flamenco who have made their own adaptations and interpretations within the genre based on this movement to create choreographies and flamenco compositions.
Monument to Joaquín Rodrigo in Aranjuez
Photo: Ángel Serrano Sánchez de León
Paco de Lucía himself performed the work in 1991 at the Teatro Bulevar in Torrelodones with the Cadaqués Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Edmon Colomer and the musical advisor José María Gallardo del Rey. Maestro Rodrigo was present and confessed: "I am really delighted that my concert is performed as many times as possible and I think it is very good that it is approached on this occasion with a treatment as different from the classical as flamenco", a genre recognized as Intangible Heritage of Humanity according to UNESCO.
Paco de Lucía performing the Concierto de Aranjuez in 1991 at the Teatro Bulevar in Torrelodones with the Cadaqués Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Edmon Colomer and the musical advisor José María Gallardo del Rey.
Now that you know the connection between Aranjuez and flamenco, we suggest that during your next visit to the impressive Royal Palace of Aranjuez and its royal gardens you put on your headphones, press play and let yourself be carried away by the music of the famous concert while touring one of our most charming world heritage cities.
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