Andres Segovia

You might say that Andres Segovia (21 February 1893 – 2 June 1987) burst onto the classical guitar scene in about 1909, but that would be somewhat wide of the mark... there was no classical guitar scene.  However, for the next 78 years, he was a major force in establishing (or re-establishing) the guitar as a legitimate classical instrument.  He explored the existing repertoire and expanded it through transcriptions and commissions.  He raised public awareness through concerts in Europe, then the Americas (living in Montevideo for more than a decade), a pattern that he maintained for three decades.  From the 1940s onward, he recorded a steady stream of albums that brought his mastery to an adoring audience around the globe.  Meanwhile, through his teaching, he spread the message of his practical techniques (e.g. use of the nails alone on the right hand, use of nylon strings) and musical philosophy to several generations of guitarists including John Williams, Christopher Parkening and Liona Boyd.  Recognized the world over, Segovia received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986.

To check our listings of Segovia recordings in various formats: