Don Andres and Paquita: The Life of Segovia in Montevideo

by Alfredo Escande

Overview

(Amadeus). This heartbreaking tale uncovers a mystery in the life of one of the most important personalities of the twentieth century, guitarist Andres Segovia (1893-1987). He married the widowed Paquita Madriguera (1900-1965), famous child prodigy pianist and prized student of Enrique Granados, in 1935 as his international career was blossoming. They fled their native Spain under death threats when the Spanish Civil War erupted in 1936 and began an odyssey that landed them in the Uruguayan capital. Segovia's support for the fascist Franco resulted in his banishment from the lucrative American concert scene, while the travel dangers of World War II further isolated him from the rest of the world. During this time, Segovia greatly enriched the guitar repertoire through numerous arrangements and collaborations with major composers via correspondence. It was also an era of happy family life with Paquita. The couple collaborated on two of the most important contemporary guitar concertos and traveled throughout Latin America to perform. Then tragedy struck as the guitarist became entangled with a beautiful Brazilian singer in an affair that ruined his marriage and brought tragic consequences to his family life. In writing his autobiography, Segovia could never face this period. With the help of tenacious research and Paquita's two surviving daughters, Alfredo Escande diligently lifts the veil of secrecy and reveals a magical age of music history framed around the couple's decade together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781574672053
Publisher:	Amadeus
Publication date:	05/01/2012
Series:	Amadeus
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.50(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword Ruben Seroussi ix

Translator's Preface xi

Author's Acknowledgments xv

Map of South America xvii

The Coastal Neighborhoods of Montevideo xviii

1 Prelude in London 1

2 Information, Slightly Out of Tune 3

3 Resonances of a Past in Montevideo 11

4 First Exposition of the Theme 29

5 Paquita 35

6 Segovia 67

7 Paquita in Montevideo 89

8 Barcelona-Prelude, Marriage, and Fugue 111

9 Intermezzo-From Italy to Montevideo, via Europe and America 143

10 Montevideo-Putting Down Roots in a Hospitable Land 159

11 Montevideo-Fruitful Isle of Stability 179

12 From South to North-The Agitated Journey from Success to Crisis 227

13 Montevideo and Buenos Aires-Poles of a Shifting Crisis 277

14 Beatriz 291

15 Epilogue-The Compass Continues Pointing South 341

Chronology 353

Notes 359

Bibliography 395

Index of Names 399