‘Espí is one of the great Spanish classical guitarists.’

Ritmo

​

Without Antonio de Torres Jurado (1817-1892) we would not have the classical guitar. Considered the greatest luthier of his day, he gave birth to the modern instrument with his innovative improvements to its design, which produced a louder and more beautiful tone, helping to launch the guitar out of the drawing room and into the concert hall as an increasingly 'serious' instrument at a time when it was failing to compete with louder instruments. So superior was Torres' craft that his design remains, to this day, the blueprint for all classical guitar production.

Pre-eminent 19th-century specialist and multi-award-winner, Fernando Espí, presents a programme of Romantic Spanish guitar works by composers with a personal connection to Torres who helped shape his career and approach to guitar-making and who showed off his instruments to greatest effect. Espí will perform on a Joan Pellisa 2016 replica of an original 1863 Torres instrument.

​

Francisco Tárrega Capricho árabe | Gran jota

Antonio Cano Fantasía ‘El delirio’

Enrique Granados Danzas españolas (Selection)

Isaac Albéniz (tr. Espí) Suite española Op. 47 (Selection) 

Julián Arcas Bolero | Fantasía sobre temas de ‘La Traviata de Verdi’

​

PLUS Join us after the concert for a complimentary glass of wine

​

Fernando Espí guitar

​

Part of the guitarrísimo series organised by ILAMS in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes, with the kind support of Wines from Spain and RC Strings