Boléro: Rhythms of Spain. Photo: BBC/ Chris Christodoulou
Boléro: Rhythms of Spain. Photo: BBC/ Chris Christodoulou

Boléro: Rhythms of Spain

Maurice Ravel
Alborada del gracioso

Manuel de Falla
Fantasia baetica
orch. Francisco Coll

Joaquín Rodrigo
Concierto de Aranjuez

Manuel de Falla
The Three-Cornered Hat – Suite No. 1
The Three-Cornered Hat – Suite No. 2

Maurice Ravel
Boléro

Rafael Aguirre – guitar

Spanish National Orchestra
David Afkham

Reviewed by:

Reviewed: 19 July, 2026
Venue: Royal Albert Hall, London

Listen Again

The Spanish National Orchestra makes its Proms debut under Chief Conductor David Afkham, bringing with it a set of heat-soaked musical postcards. Spanish guitar phenomenon Rafael Aguirre joins the ensemble for Rodrigo’s much-loved Concierto de Aranjuez – an elegant, idealised vision of Spain’s past. The orchestra transforms itself into a giant guitar in two Ravel classics: the pulsing seguidilla serenade Alborada del gracioso and the hypnotic thrum of Boléro. The adventures of a miller, his beautiful young wife and an amorous magistrate become a vivid series of dances in music from Manuel de Falla’s ballet The Three-Cornered Hat.

No reviewer was available to review this Prom, but we have published this so you may listen to it using the iPlayer link in the left-hand column. If you would like to join the classical source team and review future concerts and proms like this, please contact us at reviewers@classicalsource.com

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