Memories of the Alhambra

Tarrega composed Memories of the Alhambra after visiting the Moorish castle-palace-garden in Granada. The piece was composed on the day marking the Immaculate Conception and takes the listener on a journey of noble elegance, devoutness, beauty, and melancholy. In the tender minor opening — A section, the bubbling tremolo paints a picture of the flowing water from the fountains at the famous palace and the surrounding mountain tops. Lost in feeling, daydreaming, and unrushed, one can hear sobbing in the left hand overcome by pious resignation. Decisive expressions of purity, innocence, and certainty take over in the major B section.