Andrés+Segovia

home Andrés Segovia was born on February 18, 1893 in Linares, Spain. He was raised in Granada by his father and his mother. His father was a well respected lawyer and had hopes that his son Andrés would follow him in his profession, but also introduced him with musical instruction at an early age. He was trained in both the piano and the violin but had no real interest in either, but when he heard the guitar in the home of his friend he became enthusiastic almost instantly. Segovia wanted to learn how ot play this instrument, and since he could not find a competent person to teach him how to play, he became his own teacher, and began to learn the classical/spanish guitar. . Segovia always insisted that the rightful place of the guitar was on the stage. However, the guitar was considered unsuitable in the select music circles of the day. The guitar was used generelly for dances. Even though these were obsticles in the career path for segovia, he created a very unique technique. He made his debut in 1909, at the age of 15, at a concert infront of a cultural organizaiton, called Circulo Artistico, which took place in Granada. After this, he was asked to play at many more concerts due to his unique guitar technique. By 1919, Segovia was ready to go on a full tour. He performed in South America, were he gained even more recognition. It wasn't untill 1923 that he entered into Europe. One of the most important parts of his early success was in April, 1924 in Paris, where he became an immediate sensation, and later that year he became internationally famous. . One of the greatest things that Segovia is known for is his transcription on Bach's pieces of music, which were origanally meant for the lute, to the gutiar. This proved to be one of the most delightful pieces of music of the guitar. During Segovia's career he saw the guitar become one of the most popular instruments in the world. Segovia made his first debut in America in 1927, in Proctor, Massachusetts, and in 1928 made his first appearance in New York City. After this first appearance in New York City, five others followed, all of which were sold out. However, his life was stalled the outbreak of the Spanish war forced Segovia to give up his home in 1936. After a couple of moves from cities, he ended up in Montevideo, Uraguay. From there he toured South America extensivley. Once the televison arised, he was able to reach even a bigger audience, and continued to gain his reputation across the world. Segovia also taught many people throughout his life, had many pupils, and never hesitated to share his musical knowledge. He married Amelia Segovia, a former student of his, in 1962. He did have an earlier marrige that ended in a divorce, and a child from that marrige is currently a painter living in France. Segovia also has one more daughter. . Segovia fell victom to a heart attack in 1987, at age 94. His legacy remains through many spanish gutiar books, and classical gutiar books. Many of his pieces are found in the royal conservatory of music were people across the world learn his music. He has inspired nearly all the modern day classical gutiarists, as well as rock gutiarists across the world. Segovia is known for his willingness to share his knowledge, and more importantly, his incredibly unique and skillfull guitar syle. Watch Andrés Segovia  Video: Andres Segovia - Asturias