Sonatina for Guitar

Composed in 1924 and dedicated to Andrés Segovia, who premiered it and kept it in his repertoire throughout his career, the Sonatina is the finest and most characteristic of Moreno Torroba's many guitar works. Its three compact movements — an Allegretto, a Tempo di mazurca, and a Allegro — inhabit a distinctly Spanish sound world that blends the melodic simplicity of the Spanish zarzuela tradition with sophisticated harmonic colour. The middle movement is especially celebrated for its elegant dance rhythm, while the finale's energy and drive have made it a favourite encore piece for generations of guitarists. The Sonatina remains the most frequently performed of all Torroba's works.