Torroba Burgalesa

[Bart]

How hard would you rate this?

For example a rating from one to ten or a rating which uses the 'Delcamp difficulty rating system'

[David_Norton]

If played as-published in F# major: really hard on the left hand, huge endurance demands.

If played as-transposed in E major: intermediate/moderate.

[cool09]

It's really not hard. A little stretching in a couple areas but it's a slow piece so you have time to plant your hand. I was glad I could play it. It's a really beautiful piece and fell in love with it after I heard Segovia play it on his "Favorite Spanish Encores" LP - you can hear lots of dynamics and contrast when you hear him play it.

[Pragueguy]

It's really not hard. A little stretching in a couple areas but it's a slow piece so you have time to plant your hand. I was glad I could play it. It's a really beautiful piece and fell in love with it after I heard Segovia play it on his "Favorite Spanish Encores" LP - you can hear lots of dynamics and contrast when you hear him play it.

Segovia recorded it in in transposed E major, just to be clear (ie, not in F sharp major).

[Neptune]

I learned this piece early on in my repertoire studies. Not hard at all. Great chance for interpretation, tone color and so forth!
Still play it to this day, just love it!

[thendrix]

I am just learning Burgalesa, so far in F# Major. The reaches are very difficult for my small hands.

Some recent posts have discussed alternative tunings (I have yet to try them).

[David_Norton]

I am just learning Burgalesa, so far in F# Major. The reaches are very difficult for my small hands.

Some recent posts have discussed alternative tunings (I have yet to try them).

If you are learning this to present a beautiful musical composition, learn the E-major version.

If you are learning this to satisfy a teacher or a grade requirement, or to improve the strength and endurance of your left hand, stick with F# major.

Keep in mind that both versions have been performed/recorded by many top-drawer professional players, so it can't be said that one is for Pros and the other is for Amateurs.

[thendrix]

These days I am both teacher and pupil. Any idea where I might find an arrangement in E major?

[cool09]

What other good intermediate Torroba pieces are there? Does he have any studies?

[oski79]

The F# arrangement is a beast. I tried it and gave up because my left hand kept cramping! I need to get that arrangement in E!

[thendrix]

Romance of the Pines is very nice

What other good intermediate Torroba pieces are there? Does he have any studies?

[oski79]

There are a number of accessible pieces in the "Castles of Spain" collection. "Romance of the Pines," or "Romanza de los Pinos," is quite nice, and a few others, like Siguenza, and Alba de Tormes, are lovely and not horribly difficult too. Those are probably the easiest three in the book.

[kloeten]

What other good intermediate Torroba pieces are there? Does he have any studies?

I just learned the Nocturno and love it.

[Neptune]

What other good intermediate Torroba pieces are there? Does he have any studies?

Try "Torija" from Castles of Spain. Good drop D song, elegant, whimsical:)