Académique Documents
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1852 - 1909
Historically Francisco Trrega is of immense significance
in the development of the guitar over the last two
centuries, in terms of both technical innovations and
compositions. His advocacy of the new concepts of guitar
construction embodied in the work of Antonio de Torres
(18171892), the great Spanish luthier, has proved
influential right up to the present day. The composers use
of higher positions up the neck of the guitar and sonorous
effects achieved by precisely indicated fingerings, created
a new concept of the instrument. Working with the Torres
type of instrument (with its enhanced tonal qualities, fan
strutting, and a 650 millimetre string length), Trrega
established teaching methods including the most practical way of holding the guitar (using a
footstool to raise the left leg), principles of left and right hand techniques, and studies to
develop a players skills.
Furthermore, Trrega composed some superb music for the instrument, meticulously
indicating the precise placing of notes on the fingerboard to produce the most expressive
effects. In these little masterpieces, often influenced by Chopin, he established a Spanish
romantic voice for the guitar which has enchanted public and players ever since. Though he
did not write a guitar tutor, his methods were propagated through his many students. Among
these, Emilio Pujol (18861980) and Pascual Roch (18601921) wrote down his principles of
pedagogy in volumes still in use today.
Francisco Trrega was the most influential Spanish virtuoso performer of the nineteenth
century. His output was modest, with just 78 original scores and 120 transcriptionsmostly for
his own useof the great classical compositions. Trrega was also the first great arranger for
guitar, transcribing works from composers such as J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Berlioz, Chopin,
Grieg, Hndel, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, and Wagner, as well as pieces from
Albniz and Malats and other Spanish contemporaries.
- from Naxos.com
Trrega was born on 21 November 1852, in Villarreal, Province of Castelln, Spain. It is said that
Francisco's father played flamenco and several other music styles on his guitar; when his father was
away working as a watchman at the Convent of San Pascual, Francisco would take his father's guitar and
attempt to make the beautiful sounds he had heard. Francisco's nickname as a child was "Quiquet".
As a child, he ran away from his nanny and fell into an irrigation channel and injured his eyes. Fearing
that his son might lose his sight completely, his father moved the family to Castelln de la Plana to
attend music classes because as a musician he would be able to earn a living, even if blind. Both his first
music teachers, Eugeni Ruiz and Manuel Gonzlez, were blind.
In 1862, concert guitarist Julin Arcas, on tour in Castelln, heard the young Trrega play and advised
Trrega's father to allow Francisco to come to Barcelona to study with him. Trrega's father agreed, but
insisted that his son take piano lessons as well. The guitar was viewed as an instrument to accompany
singers, while the piano was quite popular throughout Europe. However, Trrega had to stop his lessons
shortly after, when Arcas left for a concert tour abroad. Although Trrega was only ten years old, he ran
away and tried to start a musical career on his own by playing in coffeehouses and restaurants in
Barcelona. He was soon found and brought back to his father, who had to make great sacrifices to
advance his son's musical education.
Three years later, in 1865, he ran away again, this time to Valencia where he joined a gang of gypsies. His
father looked for him and brought him back home once more, but he ran away a third time, again to
Valencia. By his early teens, Trrega was proficient on both the piano and the guitar. For a time, he
played with other musicians at local engagements to earn money, but eventually he returned home to
help his family.
During the winter of 1880, Trrega replaced his friend Luis de Soria, in a concert in Novelda, Alicante,
where, after the concert, an important man in town asked the artist to listen to his daughter, Mara Jos
Rizo, who was learning to play guitar. Soon they were engaged.
In 1881, Trrega played in the Opera Theatre in Lyon and then the
Paris Odeon, in the bicentenary of the death of Pedro Caldern de
la Barca. He also played in London, but he liked neither the
language nor the weather. There is a story about his visit to
England. After a concert, some people saw that the musician was
in low spirits. "What is the matter, maestro?" they asked him. "Do
you miss home? Your family, perhaps?" They advised him to
capture that moment of sadness in his music. Thus he conceived
the theme of one of his most memorable works, Lgrima (literally
meaning teardrop). After playing in London he came back to
Novelda for his wedding. At Christmas 1882, Trrega married
Mara Jos Rizo.
Francisco Trrega and Mara Jos (Mara Josefa) Rizo had three
more children: Paquito (Francisco), Maria Rosatia (Mara
Rosalia) (best known as Marieta) and Concepcin. On a concert
tour in Valencia shortly afterward, Trrega met a wealthy
widow, Conxa Martinez, who became a valuable patron to him.
She allowed him and his family use of a house in Barcelona,
where he would write the bulk of his most popular works. Later
she took him to Granada, where the guitarist conceived the
theme for "Recuerdos de la Alhambra", which he composed on
his return and dedicated to his friend Alfred Cottin, a
Frenchman who had arranged his Paris concerts.
Musical style
As a composer Trrega was conservative, his style was similar to the general trends in the second half of
the 19th century. A virtuoso on his instrument, he was known as the "Sarasate of the guitar".
Trrega is considered to have laid the foundations for 20th century classical guitar and for increasing
interest in the guitar as a recital instrument. Trrega preferred small intimate performances over the
concert stage.
Compositions
Francisco Trrega composed 78 original scores and 120
transcriptions mostly for his own use.
Guitars
The guitars used by Trrega include:
Torres, FE 17 (1864) This is the guitar that was given to Trrega by Torres personally after
hearing him play.
Torres, SE 49 (1883)
Torres, SE 114 (1888); in the collection of Sheldon Urlik[1] [2]
References
Francisco Trrega Biografa Oficial by Adrin Rius Espins, published by Ayuntamiento de
Vila-Real, ISBN 84-88331-82-7
Francisco Trrega Seleccin de Obras by Adrin Rius Espins (includes CD with historical
recordings by Josefina Robledo; example: "Capricho rabe", published by Excmo.
Ayuntamiento de Vila-Real and Instituto Valenciano de la Msica
Francisco Trrega, Werden und Wirkung by Wolf Moser, published by Edition
Saint-Georges. ISBN 3-00-012750-X.
Francisco Trrega, Complete Guitar Works by Michel Beauchamp, edited by Productions
d'Oz. ISBN 978-2-89655-079-1
Francisco Trrega y la guitarra en Espana entre 1830 y 1960 by Wolf Moser, published by
Piles Editorial de Msica S.A. ISBN 978-84-96814-34-9
Francisco Trrega, Collected Guitar Works, reprints of early editions, by Rafael Andia,
Chanterelle 1001 and 1002. ISBN 3-89044-125-4
- from Revolvy.com
Francisco Trrega
Listening Log
On the YPAS Guitar YouTube page, locate the Trrega Listening Exam playlist. Notate the
composer, composition, performer, and any other pertinent information. When considering what
additional information to include, ask yourself some of the following questions:
On your Listening Exam you will have to label the composer, composition, and provide one musical reason as
a rationale.
Francisco Trrega
Listening Exam
Word Bank
Label the composer, composition, and provide one musical reason as a rationale. You will hear each example
once.
#1.
#2.
#3.
#4.
#5.
#6.
#7.
#8.
Francisco Trrega
Repertoire Progression
-Etude in D Major
-Etude in E Minor
-Lgrima
-Adelita
-Prelude in D Major
-Prelude in D Minor Endecha
-Prelude in E Major
- Maria
-Marieta!
- La Alborada (Cajita De Musica)
- Estudio Brillante
- Tango
-Capricho rabe
-Recuerdos de la Alhambra
-Grand Jota
Select at least one additional self-prepared piece for either your December or May
jury.
Francisco Trrega
Biography Quiz