Asturias (Leyenda) – No. 5 from Suite Española, Op. 47 by Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909). PDF sheet music or tab arranged for classical guitar. The level is fairly advanced (Grade 10). I’ve based this mainly on arrangement on the piano score and my own ideas but I’m also influenced by the John William’s performance. Isaac Albéniz was a Spanish pianist, composer, and conductor. He is one of the foremost Spanish composers of the Post-Romantic era. He is best known for his piano works based on Spanish folk music idioms. He actually never wrote guitar music but was certainly influenced by it which explains why this work actually sit on guitar nicely (tremolo is quite difficult on keyboard). You can also find the tab as a hardcopy in my Classical Guitar Tab book on Amazon.
Sheet Music or Tab Edition (PDF, Fingering)
- Buy Asturias by Albeniz from Werner Guitar Editions – my dedicated sheet music store.
Video Lessons & Performances of Asturias
My video lesson on for Asturias, 40min of walk-through and discussion. Watch Pepe Romero’s video below for a very similar performance of my edition. Youtube video lesson link (HD). FYI, bar 42 in the video I accidentally play a high E instead of C so follow the score there as it is correct.
Pepe Romero’s fingering is very close to my edition, the upward arpeggios at 59 are different, but especially the inner rubato section with chords instead of harmonics is super similar. I’d start here.
Williams: I grew up listening to John Williams and still like his direct and rhythm approach.
Bustos: I like lots of what Busto’s is doing here but it’s different as is the Vidovic in the following.
THis is great ! But I am following you at page 46 of your method (volume 1). I hope you will have a detail guideline about this version someday. In fact, I prefer the version played by Sharon Isbin (here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIjfkYKKW54). Its like you are drinking a red wine. I heard John 16 years ago but he played it quick and strong not like Andrea Sagovia.
Great thanks any way. A silent online student of yours from Vietnam.
Clearly this is a beginner arrangement, hope you find it easier than the original. However, did you notice I have the original posted for free on the site: https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/asturias-leyenda-by-albeniz-free-pdf/
Hi, how do I download the original one?
Life took over, and after playing the classical guitar for 18 years, and being rather good at it, I stopped for 57 years.
I have now started again. It is very exciting as everything seems to be coming back, but the easy version is too easy.
I also tried to play Cavatina, but my hands are small, and I wonder whether there is an easier version.
Many thanks
The original is for piano, you can find it on imslp and elsewhere (google it!).
Mr Werner, would you please make a piece of La Caterdral for intermediate. I do like the rythm played by Mc Alister. Very much thank you.
Hi Mr Werner, I was just wondering, how do your arrangement compare to Segovia’s?
Best wishes
I would say mine is a bit plainer in some ways. Not plain in a bad way, but more close to the original and a bit less ‘guitaristic’ in terms of effects etc. Maybe more ‘presentable’ if one could say such a thing. Both editions are good. With pieces this big you’ll want to get as many versions as possible and compare them to see what you like.