Phantom of sound

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 finds Rodrigo on the brink of personal tragedy, just as Spain plunges into civil war. From the eye of the storm, he writes his most famous work: the Concierto de Aranjuez.

Cuatros Piezas
Artur Pizarro, piano

Cancion Del Cucu
Bernarda Fink, mezzo-soprano
Anthony Spiri, piano

Coplas del pastor enamorado
Bernarda Fink, mezzo-soprano
Anthony Spiri, piano

En los trigales
Giulio Tampalini, guitar

Tiento antiguo
Giulio Tampalini, guitar

Junto al Generalife
Giulio Tampalini, guitar

Concierto de Aranjuez
Thibaut Garcia, guitar
Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Ben Glassberg

Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio