Who was the first???

[edwardcav]

Just curious... Who was the first person to arrange Albeniz' piano workls for guitar?? Whoever it was... Did they arrange any other well known pieces for guitar?

[Sia]

According to the Classical Guitar Companion, it was Francisco Tarrega.

I think he arranged most of Suite Espanola and a few other pieces -- probably every piece on John Williams's Echos of Spain was originally transcribed by Tarrega.

[edwardcav]

I see.

I'm still very curious... Who came first - Sor or tarrega? Did Sor arrange any famous piano works? did these two people know each other?

I'm interested in this sort of stuff. GSI or anyone: what books will tell me about the famous composers, arrangers, arrangements, personalities, influences, teachers and performers of the classic guitar from its origin to today???

[Sia]

These are two great pillars of the classical guitar.

Fernando Sor was born in Catalonia in 1778 and died in 1839. He lived much of his professional life in Paris. I would place him in the classical period.

Francisco Tarrega was born in Catalonia in 1853 and died in 1909. He lived in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. He is from the the romantic period.

The two lived in different times and places. Sor was criticized for losing his Spanish identity. Tarrega on the other hand is identified with the Spanish style.

My references that have information on Sor and Tarrega:
1. A book called Classical Guitar Companion by Sue McCrodie
2. Introduction in Brian Jaffrey's 9-volume Complete Works of Fernando Sor
3. The information in numerous CD's

Also, you'll be amazed what great web-sources there are, if you do a google-search, many of them are commercial websites, but have extensive biographical and historical information about these composers.

I hope this helps.

[adrian]

edwardcav,

I'd recommend Summerfield's Classical Guitar - Its Evolution, Players and Personalities Since 1800 (http://www.guitarsalon.com/store.php?it=BOCLASU-03035). It's a good reference with entries on just about everyone in the biz.

Adrian