Andres Segovia (1893 – 1987) can be thought of as the father of the Spanish and Classical Guitar in the 20th century. He was able to play the guitar to large enthusiastic audiences well into his nineties. I can remember going with friends to listen to his remarkable playing to a packed out Brangwyn Hall in Wales, UK. That night he probably received 5 or 6 encores and only stopped playing as it was getting impractical for him to be led on and off the stage after every encore.

The Segovia concert took place sometime in the early 1980’s and as far as I know Segovia hadn’t previously played in Wales – leave a message if you know more. However, his classical arrangements of Bach and his beautiful playing of great Spanish music using such a superb technique have had a lasting influence on generations of guitar players and composers.

Segovia’s guitar recordings in the early 20th century influenced and popularised the guitar which helped lead the way to the rock n’ roll era and the great guitar music of the 1960’s.

Nicksun