Concerto No. 1 for Spanish guitar and orchestra - Santiago Lara + Alvarez Beigbeder Orchestra

Concerto No. 1 for Spanish Guitar and Orchestra is Santiago Lara's ambitious first symphonic work, in which the Jerez-born artist fuses the profound expressiveness of flamenco with the harmonic and dynamic richness of a chamber orchestra. Composed and orchestrated entirely by Lara, the piece is structured in three movements that range from passages of tender introspection to moments of vibrant virtuosity, with clear nods to Spanish neoclassicism and jazz. The guitar, both soloist and narrator, dialogues with strings, wind instruments, and percussion—including the flamenco cajon—offering a sonic experience that transcends genres and reflects the evolution of flamenco in a contemporary key.

Premiered at the Villamarta Theater in Jerez on November 17, 2023, and presented on March 15, 2025, at the Espacio Turina in Seville with the Bética Chamber Orchestra conducted by Michael Thomas, the concert has been praised by critics as a well-written work for guitar and bold in its orchestration, capable of moving both flamenco and classical music fans. Now available on CD and on all digital platforms through Club del Disco, this concert represents a milestone in Santiago Lara's career and an invitation to rediscover the Spanish guitar in dialogue with the great orchestra.