Agustín Barrios Mangoré - La Catedral - Collection / + PLAY ALONG

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 ("nostalgia") was not added until 17 long years later in 1938, creating a three-movement work.
The entire composition was inspired by the work of J.S. Bach and a visit to the San José Cathedral in Montevideo, Paraguay.
The slow chords full of humility in the Andante Religioso represent his visceral impressions of an organist playing Bach chants in a cathedral.
The following Allegro Solemne symbolizes leaving the calm, spiritual atmosphere of the cathedral and entering the street, where the bustle of the real world is represented by continuous sixteenth-note arpeggios.

The famous Brazilian guitarist Yamandu Costa freely improvises on the last fast part without, in my opinion, disturbing the harmony and the original message of Barrios. There are several versions of this improvisation, I chose the one that is closest to me.