The Tarrega Transcriptions - Beethoven; Wagner; Verdi

Francisco TÁRREGA (1852-1909)

The Tárrega Transcriptions

for guitar  

Beethoven, Wagner , Verdi

Timo Korhonen (guitar)

Released: January 2003

Finnish guitarist Timo Korhonen is one of the most versatile proponents of his instrument in the world. On this recording, he performs his selection of famous pieces by Beethoven, Wagner and Verdi in arrangements by the "father of modern guitar" Francisco de Asís Tárrega y Eixea (1852-1909). These transcriptions do not aim to reproduce the original works literally, but to shape the compositions of great composers into guitar works in their own right.

Tárrega composed music in the romantic style of 19th-century European masters. His conservatory training and familiarity with contemporary classical genres and techniques are apparent in his compositions and transcriptions; these are more sophisticated than those of Spanish guitarist-composers of the previous generation and his contemporaries, e.g., Magín Alegre, Tomás Damas, Julián Arcas, José Viñas, and José Ferrer.

A virtuoso on his instrument, he was known as the "Sarasate of the guitar," although Tárrega preferred small intimate performances over the concert stage.

Tárrega is considered to have laid the foundations for 20th-century classical guitar and for increasing interest in the guitar as a recital instrument.