Gran Jota, known by many other names including Jota aragonesa, and Jota de Concierto, is an epic theme and variations piece that is often wrongly credited to Tárrega as the original creator, but was most likely composed by his predecessor Julián Arcas. Tárrega – Gran Jota, played by Pablo Villegas After some more iconic passages in D major, the piece transitions back to the original key of the A section (D minor, now the parallel key of D major). The B section carries over some similar themes and melodic movement found in the A section, but in more upbeat, major key.įollowing a dramatic chromatic run, the piece opens up even further with a modulation to D major. The piece then transitions beautifully to the B section in the relative key of F major. The swooping melody in the upper voice moves in tandem with deep, dark, and expressive harmonies in the bass. The A section of Capricho árabe kicks off with the distinctive theme the piece is known for in the key of D minor. If Recuerdos de la Alhambra is Tárrega’s most famous work for guitar, Capricho árabe (Arabian Caprice) is a close second.Ĭapricho árabe is an advanced piece that begins with a dramatic introduction that explores the full melodic range that listeners (and players) will experience throughout the piece. Tárrega – Capricho Arabe, played by Ana Vidovic Growing up, Tárrega ran away on several occasions, including a period where he tried to make money by performing in cafes and bars, and even joining a band of gypsies. His early formal music classes, along with some private lessons by the renowned guitarist and composer Julián Arcas at age 10, set up Tárrega for a special and profound musical career. This piano training would eventually help him immensely in his guitar arrangements of famous piano works by Beethoven, Chopin, Mendelssohn and others. He was also trained in piano, a more popular solo instrument in Europe at the time. After Tárrega suffered an eye injury at childhood, his family decided to enroll him in music classes so that he would still have some form of employment even if he went fully blind. Needless to say, Tárrega is a brilliant composer and arranger that any fan of guitar can love and appreciate.Īllegedly, Tárrega’s father played some flamenco guitar, as well as other musical styles. With frequent melodic slides up the neck, his ability to utilize the full range of the guitar sets him apart from other composers. Tárrega composed in the Romantic period, which one can hear clearly in his swooping, melancholy melodies that seem to just ‘sing’ with passionate emotion, longing, and at times, tragedy. Spanish composer Francisco Tárrega (Novem– December 15, 1909) is widely considered the most iconic and popular guitar composer of all time.
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