Rodrigo - complete Orchestral Works 8. Concierto Pastoral, Fantasia para un gentilhombre.

Joanna G'froerer, Flute. Asturias Symphony Orchestra, conductor Maximiano Valdes.

Naxos 8.557801

Joaquin Rodrigo died in 1999, aged 98, and is Spain's foremost composer of the 20th Century.

Blind from his early childhood he attended the School for the Blind in Valencia, where his musical talents soon became apparent.

He studied in Paris, returning to Spain in 1939, when he wrote his signature work Concierto de Aranjuez.

It was at that point that life, with the success of this composition, that Rodrigo's life changed forever.

Concierto Pastorale was written specifically for renowned flautist James Galway and has a country flavour, with the sounds of birds and a pastoral tone in the second theme.

The third section has a hint of country dance.

Full of admiration for the Concierto Pastoral James Galway approached Rodrigo for permission to arrange the work for flute and orchestra.

Rodrigo agreed and collaborated with Galway during the work, suggesting amendments. Both pieces are now considered to be essential to the flautist repertoire.

Fantasia para un gentilhombre was written for renowned guitarist Andres Segovia in 1958.

Here, Canadian Joanna G'froerer plays with dexterity, and lightness, missing none of the delicacy of tone and presentation.

This would be an admiral addition to your collection of the Spanish master composers.