Rodrigo's songs span the whole of his long creative life and, like much of his output, is inspired by Spanish traditional music. It ranges over intimate settings for piano (or guitar), chamber ensembles and full orchestral accompaniments. Famous across the world as the composer of the Concierto de Aranjuez, Rodrigo has much more to offer and delight than this one beautiful guitar concerto. The songs include the official works commissioned by government ministries, and the reflective settings of Spanish poetry.
This set is a huge treasure trove of delightful, picturesque and acute responses to Spanish poetry, ranging from intimate songs to grand declamations on the scale of oratorio: all marked by Rodrigo's ready gift for melody and ear for instrumental colour. Many of these recordings are unique in terms of repertoire, and most have not been available for some years. They have never been presented together, and now form a hugely important plank in the ambitious project to issue the oeuvre of one of the most important and best loved composers of the 20th century.