When he was three years old he lost his sight due to the diphtheria. Joaquín Rodrigo was born in Sagunto (Valencia) on 22nd November 1901.

In 1906 Joaquín Rodrigo and his family moved to Valencia where he started his studies of musical theory, piano and violin at the age of eight.

His first composition dates from 1923, and in 1924 his first work for orchestra, Juglares, was awarded in Valencia and Madrid.

In 1927 he moved to Paris (like Albéniz, Falla, Granados and Turina had done some time ago ) and studied composition at the Ecole Normale de Musique with Paul Dukas for five years. Joaquín Rodrigo met Manuel de Falla in Paris and the Turkish pianist Victoria Kamhi (a qualified teacher from the Paris Conservatoire).

On 19th January 1933 Joaquin Rodrigo got married with Victoria Kamhi.

In 1934 he won First Prize of Circulo de Bellas Artes in Valencia. From 1936 to 1938 Rodrigo family lived in Paris, Salzburg and Freiburg.

“Concierto de Aranjuez” On 9 th November 1940, took place the first performance of “Concierto de Aranjuez” in Barcelona. On 27 th January 1941 his daughter, Cecilia, was born. “Concierto de Aranjuez” On 9 th November 1940, took place the first performance of “Concierto de Aranjuez” in Barcelona. On 27 th January 1941 his daughter, Cecilia, was born.

Elected Full Member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid.

In 1939, Joaquín Rodrigo and Victoria return to Spain to settle permanently in Madrid.

Many prizes and acknowledgements were given to Joaquín Rodrigo:  Head of Music broadcasts for Radio Nacional de España. Head of the Artistic Section of the Spanish National Organization for the Blind (ONCE). Awarded by the Encomienda de Alfonso X el Sabio.  Head of Music broadcasts for Radio Nacional de España. Head of the Artistic Section of the Spanish National Organization for the Blind (ONCE). Awarded by the Encomienda de Alfonso X el Sabio.

Honorary Doctorate at the university of Salamanca Gold Medal and Honorary Doctorate at the University of Madrid Gold Medal Mérito Artístico, from the City of Madrid Honorary Doctorate, University of Alicante

Honorary Doctorate at Exeter University and many others… Honorary Doctorate at Exeter University and many others…

And on 22 nd April 1970 his grand-daughter, Patricia Sofia, was born. On 2 nd October 1996 his first great grandchild, Santiago, was born. On 31 st January 1999, his second grandchild, Cecilia, was born. And on 22 nd April 1970 his grand-daughter, Patricia Sofia, was born. On 2 nd October 1996 his first great grandchild, Santiago, was born. On 31 st January 1999, his second grandchild, Cecilia, was born.

Joaquín Rodrigo was raised to the nobility by H M Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, with the hereditary title “Marqués de los Jardines de Aranjuez”.

On 6 th July 1999 Joaquín Rodrigo died in Madrid. He was buried in the family vault in the cemetery of Aranjuez.

POR CORTESÍA DE LA FUNDACIÓN VICTORIA Y JOAQUÍN RODRIGO COURTESY OF VICTORIA AND JOAQUIN RODRIGO FOUNDATION