Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Donald Macleod explores the life of Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo, who lost his eyesight at just three years old.

The Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo is responsible for one of the most instantly recognisable works for classical guitar - if not one of the most famous pieces of classical music full stop. But when he was just three years old and a bout of diptheria left him almost completely blind, a future in composition seemed out of the question. How did he become one of Spain's most revered musical minds?

In this programme, Donald Macleod follows Rodrigo's early years. Thanks to his teachers, who believe learning composition could help the blind, and a very dedicated aid in Rafael Ibáñez, Rodrigo quickly finds his calling.

Concierto de Aranjuez
Pepe Romero, guitar
Christine Pendrill, horn
Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner

2 Esbozos
Eva León, violin
Olga Vinokur, piano

Rumaniana
Eva León, violin
Olga Vinokur, piano

3 Evocaciones
Gregory Allen, piano

5 Sonatas de Castilla con toccata a modo de pregón
Gregory Allen, piano

Juglares
Castile and Leon Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Max Bragado-Darman

Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 22 Sep 202516:00
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

Next

Tower of BabelJoaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999)

See all episodes from Composer of the Week

Music Played

  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    Concierto de Aranjuez (1st mvt)

    Performer: Pepe Romero. Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Conductor: Neville Marriner.
    • PHILLIPS : 4380162.
    • PHILLIPS.
    • 1.

  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    2 Esbozos

    Performer: Eva León. Performer: Olga Vinokur.
    • NAXOS : 8.572648.
    • NAXOS.
    • 14.

  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    Rumaniana

    Performer: Eva León. Performer: Olga Vinokur.
    • NAOXS : 8.572648.
    • NAOXS.
    • 16.

  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    3 Evocaciones

    Performer: Gregory Allen.
    • BRIDGE : BCD-9027 A/B.
    • BRIDGE.
    • 16.

  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    Sonatas de Castilla con toccata a modo de pregon (Nos 3-5)

    Performer: Gregory Allen.
    • BRIDGE : BCD-9027 A/B.
    • BRIDGE.
    • 23.

  • Joaquín Rodrigo

    Juglares

    Orchestra: Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León. Conductor: Max Bragado-Darman.
    • NAXOS : 8.-557101.
    • NAXOS.
    • 11.

Broadcast

  • Mon 22 Sep 202516:00
    BBC Radio 3

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.