Customer Reviews

Hand in Hand With Joaquin Rodrigo: My Life at the Maestro's Side (Discoveries (Latin American Literary Review Pr)) (Isd Report)

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This book is a chronological document of the lives of the major representatives of Spain's classical musicians. It has been wrote by his wife, a virtuose of the piano as well, whom was the "eyes of the maestro" since he became blind at aged three. What is particularly important of this book for me is that it conducts the reader through their fascinating lives and leaves you thirsty in trying to know more about them and the maetro's musical production. It is a sensitive book, that describes with great modesty all the achievements of the maestro before and after the writting of his masterpiece: El concierto de Aranjuez.

Excellent book (and the only one extant) regarding this wonderful Spanish composer. His wife paints a detailed and interesting picture of her own upbringing, as well as the maestro's, and gives us a superb picture of the musician who, despite his physical deformitites, gave us so much beauty manifested through his exquisite concertos. She did a real service to those who have enjoyed and been enriched by these excellent musical treasures. Dr. Richard Beck, classical guitarist.

Victoria Kamhi de Rodrigo writes a wonderful memoir of her life, starting with her childhood in Turkey, her meeting of Joaquin Rodrigo, and her marriage to Rodrigo. I think that it is safe to say that Victoria Kamhi de Rodrigo played a crucial role in her husband's later success as a composer. Those who love Rodrigo's music will grow in admiration for Rodrigo and his spouse. For those interested in the history of Spanish music, I reccommend this book highly.