Canadian classical guitarists Drew Henderson and Tim Beattie performs Henderson’s arrangement of Sonada de Adiós by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999). This comes via Henderson’s YouTube channel (go subscribe). Beautiful performance by Henderson and Beattie showcasing some sensitive and balanced dynamic control and carefully sculpted ensemble phrasing. Here’s an except from Henderson’s description, read more at his YouTube:
Rodrigo’s Sonada de Adiós/The Sounding of Farewell (Homenaje a Paul Dukas) was written for piano in 1935. It was published the year of Dukas’ death, in the French magazine Revue Musicale alongside Falla and Messaien’s homages to Dukas.
The composition itself is haunting, with Rodrigo’s hallmark blend of Spanish idioms with 20th century compositional devices. Rodrigo maintains a strong Spanish character, particularly through the persistent semitone motion between E and F, drawing the listener toward the Phrygian mode before the work finally settles in A minor. At the same time, there are some very interesting chord clusters, and parallel motions. There is a recording of Rodrigo performing the work himself which is incredible to hear.
