Agustín Barrios Mangoré - Preludio Saudade

Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885-1944) was a Paraguayan guitar virtuoso and composer, largely regarded as one of the greatest performers and most prolific composers for the guitar. Over 300 of Barrios' compositions and arrangements survive. He is still revered in Latin America to this day, where he is seen as one of the greatest musicians of all time by many. Joh Williams, former student of Andres Segovia, said of Barrios: "As a guitarist/composer, Barrios is the best of the lot, regardless of era. His music is better formed, it's more poetic, it's more everything! And it's more of all those things in a timeless way."

La Catedral is one of his most famous compositions, composed in 1921, originally as two movements: Andante Religioso - Allegro Solemne.

The "Preludio Saudade" was composed in Habana (Cuba) 1938 and was not added until 18 long years later in 1939 as the 1st piece of La Catedral, creating a three-movement work.

Even though this piece is perfect - the way it is composed and doesn't need to change anything, I decided to add a 2nd guitar in 2022, which should support the depth of emotions used by Barrios in the piece. 

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