Corría el año de 1926 cuando tuve la fortuna de conocer a Emilio Pujol. Acababa yo de escribir mi primera obra para guitarra, “Zarabanda lejana”, que más tarde publicaría Pujol en su colección de las ediciones “Max Eschig” y tuvo para mi obra cálidas y animosas palabras que tanto habían de influir en mi futuro musical para este instrumento. Desde entonces nuestra amistad no ha hecho más que acrecentarse.
On the occasion of the recent programming in various concerts of Joaquín Rodrigo’s violin works, we are pleased to offer the composer’s own comments on these works.
These documents, which are an extraordinary tool to enhance the audition of these works, are preserved in the archive of the Victoria and Joaquín Rodrigo Foundation.
The general musical public today remembers Paul Dukas, Joaquín Rodrigo's tutor during his years of study in Paris (1927-33), above all because of one short orchestral piece, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. For many years the extraordinary success of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuezfor guitar and orchestra led some to fear that the name of the Spanish composer might also become exclusively associated with one outstanding work.
Victoria Kamhi was born in Besiktas, a picturesque neighborhood of Istanbul.
In Joaquín Rodrigo’s words: “My wife Victoria, my faithful companion and collaborator, has been my inspiration and my drive, she has given me confidence in myself and unending love, she has dedicated her life to me and has been the light of my eyes.”
In a short interval of time, we have lost Carmen Pérez Durías (April 21st) and María Ángeles Morales (May 28th). In their memory, and with a sad heart, I would like to write a few lines as their great careers were linked closely to my father, and, in a certain way, to my childhood.
Transcripción de una entrevista realizada a Joaquín Rodrigo en Radio Madrid en el año 1948, con el gusto retro propio del periodismo de aquellos años. LOCUTORA:Buenas tardes, querido Maestro. Tu infancia nos interesa mucho. Ya oíste la del gran pintor Vázquez Diaz.Pues ahora, la tuya, como de músico muy admirado, es la que vamos a relatar a los niños...
Joaquín Sorolla and Joaquín Rodrigo in the words of Raymond Calcraft at the Sorolla Museum.
I should like to express my most sincere thanks to Dona Blanca, Doña Cecilia and Doña Consuelo for inviting me to say a few words, here in the beautiful Casa Museo of the painter, about Joaquín Sorolla and Joaquín Rodrigo. It is also a great honour for me to take part in this recital beside great artists like Ana María Sánchez, Agustín León Ara and José María Gallardo del Rey.
On that May 10th, 1982, Joaquín Rodrigo and his wife Victoria were in Los Angeles for the awarding ceremony of the composer’s Honorary Doctorate from the University of Southern California. During the dinner, which was attended by the guitarist Pepe Romero and his parents, Celedonio and Angelita, they met a lady who had travelled from Texas especially to meet them. The young woman, who was elegant and attractive, was Mrs. McKay, a wealthy rancher from Fort Worth.
