Joaquín Rodrigo was born in Sagunto, Spain, on November 22, 1901, and died in Madrid, Spain, on July 6, 1999. The first performance of Concierto serenata took place in Madrid on November 9, 1956, with soloist Nicanor Zabaleta, and Paul Kletzki conducting the Spanish National Orchestra. Approximate performance time is twenty-four minutes.

Joaquín Rodrigo, one of Spain’s most beloved composers, was born in Sagunto, Valencia, on November 22, 1901. At the age of three, Rodrigo, a victim of the diphtheria epidemic, lost virtually all of his sight. However, the composer acknowledged this tragedy seemed to guide him toward a career in music. Rodrigo began musical studies at the age of eight, later continuing with teachers at the Conservatory in Valencia.

In 1927, Rodrigo journeyed to Paris, where he studied at the Sorbonne with Maurice Emmanuel and André Pirro, and at the École Normale de Musique with Paul Dukas. It was also in Paris, in 1929, that Rodrigo met the Turkish pianist, Victoria Kamhi (1905-1997). The two were married in 1933. Rodrigo said of his wife:

She has represented everything in my life. Everything. Without her I wouldn’t have accomplished even half my work…She would correct me, sometimes advise me, and other times interpret my works at the piano…We have never been apart. We would not understand life without one another. Vicky has been, is my luck, my eternal companion, my invaluable collaborator.

The two remained married until Victoria Kamhi de Rodrigo’s death on July 21, 1997. Joaquín Rodrigo died two years later, on July 6, 1999, at the age of 97.

Rodrigo composed his Concierto serenata (1952) for the distinguished Basque harpist Nicanor Zabaleta (1907-1993). Zabaleta was the soloist in the November 9, 1956 world premiere, which took place in Madrid. In composing the Concierto serenata, Rodrigo “attempted to accomplish a very difficult thing—to make the entire work light, clear and joyful, like the harp’s child-like soul, and in the manner of a Concerto Serenade.” The first movement, Estudiantina (Allegro ma non troppo) evokes a lively gathering of young musicians. The slow-tempo second movement, Intermezzo con aria (Molto tranquillo), inaugurated by the soloist, presents an aria in canonic form. The finale, Sarao (Soirée) (Allegro deciso), is a festive rondo.