Watch John Williams Play the Adagio from Rodrigo’s ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’

Two weeks ago we posted a clip of Julian Bream and John Williams that many of you seemed to enjoy. Last Sunday it was Bream alone. So now it’s equal time for John Williams solo (OK, solo with orchestra)! It was Williams’ mid-1960s recording of Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez that was my first real exposure to classical guitar (I bought the album in 1971, if I remember correctly), so I thought I’d honor his contribution to my guitar education by posting this characteristically brilliant reading of Williams playing the famous “Adagio” from the Concierto in 2005 fronting the BBC Symphony Orchestra. I know what you’re thinking: “I’ve heard this movement a million times. Must I hear it again?” Yes, you must! It’s famous because it’s sublime! And it’s worth checking out because it’s John Williams playing it. —Blair Jackson


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