Guitar Recital - Denis Azabagic

Federico Moreno Torroba was the first composer to respond to Segovia's appeal for new, original repertory for the guitar, something he wisely regarded as essential to the instrument's revival in the twentieth century. This was to have long-range effect: One day when I (the present writer) was with Segovia in his hotel room he showed me a pile of scores on which he was to work; holding the manuscript of Torroba's Castles of Spain, he said that though he had just received it he was giving it priority: "He put me first all those years ago and I will always put him first" and so he did for the rest of his life. The Sonatina was first performed by Segovia in Paris (1925) to an invited audience that included Maurice Ravel, who was much impressed by it. A seductively lyrical Andante is framed by two quicker movements with lively Spanish dance rhythms. In Spain Torroba is famous for his many