Critic's Choice: Virtuosos of the Classical Guitar

The classical guitar is often treated as classical music's poor relation - the sweet, romantic, but slightly déclassé descendent of the aristocratic lute. Thought of as a folk instrument for most of the 19^th century, and more recently overshadowed by its raucous electric cousin, the classical guitar has long struggled for legitimacy in a world dominated by violins and pianos.

It is fittingly ironic, then, that Joachín Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez for classical guitar and orchestra should be one of the most celebrated, influential, and popular concertos for solo instrument of the 20^th century. Written in 1939 in Paris by the blind, Spanish composer, the piece combines flamenco-style rasgueados (articulated rhythmical strumming) with clean, modern (Art Deco-like!) orchestration and haunting melodic invention. In particular, the Concierto's second movement, Adagio, has found an enduring place in the world's musical consciousness, perhaps most famously as a track on Miles Davis's 1960 album, Sketches of Spain.

Classical TV features a performance of the Concierto de Aranjuez (FREE) by the Cuban-born guitarist, Manuel Barrueco, with the Munich Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jean-Pierre Wallez.

The Concierto is followed by a brief solo recital, featuring "Variations on a Theme of Mozart," by the guitar's preeminent Classical-era composer, Fernando Sor (1778-1839), plus a transcription by Barrueco of several of Chick Corea's "Children's Songs," and concluding with Rodrigo's mysterious and powerful "Invocacion et danse," composed in 1961. Barrueco's performances demonstrate the classical guitar's enormous tonal and textural range.

While the guitar may not stand with the violin and piano as one of classical music's favored instruments, its stylistic versatility and openness to new forms has made it an exciting vehicle for musical synthesis. And in Classical TV's full-length concert by Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucia (FREE) we can hear an exhilarating blend of classical, flamenco, and jazz. De Lucia makes a virtue of the guitar's polyglot heritage, creating a kind of music impossible on any other instrument.

And if you enjoy flamenco, don't miss Paco Pena, Montse Cortes and the Los Losada dancers in this gala concert from London's Royal Albert Hall ($1.99).