In 1883, he met the teacher and composer Felip Pedrell, who inspired him to write Spanish music such as the Chants d’Espagne. The first movement (Prelude) of that suite, later retitled after the composer’s death as Asturias (Leyenda), is probably most famous today as part of the classical guitar repertoire, even though it was originally composed for piano and only later transcribed. (Many of Albéniz’s other compositions were also transcribed for guitar, notably by Francisco Tárrega — Albéniz once declared that he preferred Tárrega’s guitar transcriptions to his original piano works).

I hope you enjoy this.

Have a nice weekend.

Francisco de Asís Tárrega y Eixea, (21 November 1852 — 15 December 1909) was an influential Spanish composer and guitarist.

Francisco Tárrega’s music and style of guitar playing became strongly influential in the twentieth century. He was central to reviving the guitar as a solo instrument in recital and concerts. His output was modest, having composed only 78 original scores and 120 transcriptions – mostly for his own use. Among his most popular works for the guitar are Recuerdos de la Alhambra, Capricho Árabe and Danza Mora.

He is also the composer of what has been claimed to be “probably the world’s most heard tune”: the Nokia ringtone, Nokia tune, or simply Nokia, also used in advertising spots, is based on Tárrega’s Gran Vals. His music also inspired Mike Oldfield to arrange Tárrega’s tremolo study Recuerdos de la Alhambra for the soundtrack of the film “The Killing Fields”. [Wikipedia]

Andrés Torres Segovia (21 February 1893 – 2 June 1987) was a Spanish classical guitarist born in Linares, Jaén, Spain. He is remembered for his expressive performances: his wide palette of tone, and his distinctive (often instantly recognizable) musical personality in tone, phrasing/timing and style, revealing his deep personal insight and expressive commitment in music.

Segovia’s main musical aesthetic preferences were music of the early 20th century (and turn of the century) especially in the Spanish romantic-modern and nationalist style – a style different from flamenco. [Wikipedia]

Andres Segovia, guitar, plays “Recuerdos de la Alhambra” by Francisco Tarrega.