Friday, April 8, 2011

4/8 Tarrega Beethoven Transcriptions

Francisco Tarrega was one of the Romantic period's greatest composers for guitar and had a major influence on the classical guitar's presence in the 20th Century. He also composed the Nokia ringtone.

As far as Beethoven is concerned, Tarrega transcribed several of Beethoven's works - especially piano - to classical guitar. As a guitarist myself I've spoken here before of how I wished B. had written more music for guitar, and fortunately Tarrega must have felt the same way.

Here's a good selection of Tarrega's Beethoven transcriptions I found on hydraTV's YT channel:
1. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor ("Moonlight"), Op. 27/2 Adagio sostenuto
2. Septet for strings & woodwinds in E flat major, Op. 20 Menuet
3. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 Allegretto
4. Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major ("Funeral March"), Op. 26 Marcha fúnebre
5. Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 2/2 Scherzo
6. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor ("Pathétique"), Op. 13 Adagio cantabile
7. Septet in Eb for Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Horn, Oboe, Cello & Bass, Op.20 (1799) M4: Theme
8. """" - Variation 7
9. Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major ("Kreutzer"), Op. 47 Andante
10. Minuets (6) for piano (or orchestra), WoO 10 Minuet No. 3
P11. Piano Sonata No. 4 in E flat, Op. 7 Largo con gran espressione
(Performed by Timo Korhonen)

Linklist (43 min)

As a bonus "cover", here's the 7th Symphony 'Allegretto' (yet again) performed on harmonica ensemble...

Beethoven Symphony No. 7 mvt. 2 ( Harmonica )

7 comments:

  1. About the harmonica Allegretto: I think the nice water scenery was very appropriate, because the rhythmn section sounded like it was being "quacked" by little ducks ;))

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  2. I was completely unaware that Tarrega wrote the Nokia tune...that's awesome, and were he alive today, he'd be rich (if he were alive, they wouldn't have used the tune because it would have cost so much so I take it back).

    I'm a huge fan of the 12th piano sonata, so I'll definitely have to give that one a listen, but Tarrega certainly had good taste in Beethoven.

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  3. @ Gwen - as you know B. was a big nature-lover so no doubt he would have heartily approved of this new "duckified" arrangement. :)

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  4. @Erik K - I have to admit to some embarrassment to not even being aware of Tarrega's existence until now - and I'm an actual guitarist! Not only that, but I don't own a Nokia or even recognize the tune. But that's what Wikipedia says, so "it must be true."

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  5. Hi! I've started a poll about Beethoven's images on my blog. Take a look!

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  6. Oh God, that ringtone is everywhere.

    You should DEFINITELY check out some of Tarrega's guitar music. Very inspired stuff, arguably the best writing for the guitar this side of Rodrigo.

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