Guitar Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 99
by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Composed in 1939 at the request of Andrés Segovia, who gave the premiere with the Pro Arte Orchestra in Montevideo in 1939, the Guitar Concerto No. 1 in D major is the cornerstone of the solo guitar concerto repertoire and the work most responsible for establishing the guitar as a fully legitimate concert instrument. Its three movements balance Romantic lyricism with a neoclassical clarity of structure: the opening Allegretto gracioso unfolds with Italianate melodic warmth, the Andantino e cantabile breathes a spirit of intimate song, and the Ritmico e cavalleresco finale deploys brilliant passagework and rhythmic verve. Dedicated to Segovia, who championed it throughout his career, the concerto shaped the entire subsequent tradition of writing for guitar and orchestra.
Editions
Schott Music
Andrés Segovia, 1939
Original edition prepared by the composer in close collaboration with Segovia; the authoritative performing text for guitar and piano reduction.
Schott Music
Editorial staff, 1952
Full orchestral score and parts; the standard edition used by professional orchestras internationally.
Bote & Bock
Editorial staff, 1964
Study score edition with introduction on Castelnuovo-Tedesco's guitar writing; widely used in academic analysis courses.