One of Spain's most popular composers, Joaquin Rodrigo produced a large body of music but is remembered mainly for one work, the 'Concierto de Aranjuez' for guitar and orchestra, which became an international hit and was paraphrased memorably by Miles Davis on his 'Sketches of Spain' album. Unlike many Spanish artists who fled their country after the civil war, Rodrigo returned in 1939 and his famous concerto, written the following year, is an idyllic contemplation of the way things were, not years but centuries before, an evocation of chivalry and castled landscapes.

He did not write another guitar concerto for many years, but when Andr‚s Segovia prevailed upon him he produced the 'Fantasia para un gentilhombre,' probably his second-best known work, based on themes from a seventeenth century guitar lesson book and once again summoning up the spirit of ancient Spain. This Philips Duo collection includes Rodrigo's three solo guitar concertos along with those for two and four guitars and the related concertante works for harp. The well recorded performances are all first rate, with Antonio de Almeida an especially compelling soloist.