Sunday music spot: Aranjuez Concerto by Rodrigo, arranged for Harp (2nd Movement)

The Concierto de Aranjuez by the Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo was inspired by the gardens at Palacio Real de Aranjuez, the spring resort palace and gardens built by Philip II of Spain in the last half of the 16th century and rebuilt in the middle of the 18th century by Ferdinand VI.

The music attempts to transport the listener to another place and time through the evocation of the sounds of nature. It is Rodrigo's best known work and established his reputation.

Although it was written as a guitar concerto - it's in the repertoire of just about every great guitarist and they have produced many beautiful interpretations using that instrument - I personally think the arrangements for orchestra and Harp are even better.

In the exquisite performance of the second movement linked to below, the harpist is Alexandra Katelyn Mullins. I can also particularly recommend the performances in which Xavier de Maistre was the harp soloist: the orchestras with which he has recorded this piece include both the Krakow Sinfonietta and the Paris Orchestra.

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