The arranger, Travis Jeffords, built this version of one of Aguado’s famous etudes to work for a wide variety of performers. The simplest version of the piece requires all level 3 players. The ideal performance of the piece will include part 3a with any combination of parts 1 and 2. Part 3a (level 8) contains many grace note slurs and a few quick shifts.
Ask students to follow dynamic indications closely. As always, excellent tone and careful adherence to expressive elements bring this simple piece to life.
Historical Notes:
A friend and room mate of the famous Spanish composer Fernando Sor, Dionisio Aguado wrote many famous guitar compositions. Including the op. 2 Rondos and the Menuet Affandango, Aguado is known for both virtuosic show pieces and pedagogical materials like the massive Escuela de Guitarra. This Valtz comes from his large body of teaching materials.
Conventional wisdom describes the origin of the surname Aguado from one of the composer’s ancient ancestors, who once returned from battle soaked and muddy.