Romanza (Spanish Romance) - (attrib.) Antonio Rubira

Masterworks for the Classical Guitar - Steven Saulls, Classical Guitarist
About the music and the composer...

The authorship and origin of this famous piece have always been subject to widespread speculations. However, this solo guitar piece has been attributed to a host of musicians - Narciso Yepes, Vicente Gómez, Miguel Llobet, Francisco Tárrega, David del Castillo, and Antonio Rubira, to name a few.

This sustained uncertainty regarding its genesis has led to the incorporation of the word “anonymous/anónimo” into its name. The authorship conundrum is instigated by three primary reasons - the lack of any concrete claim, the persistent desire to circumvent copyright fees, and the publishing companies’ inherent lust to claim lucrative copyright of this renowned guitar piece.

One of the early publications of the piece is attributed to Antonio Rubira, a Spanish guitarist. This version, titled “Estudio para Guitarra” was published in Argentina by J.A. Medina e Hijo somewhere between 1913 and 1925. Isaías Sávio, another composer and guitarist, has also cited Antonio Rubira as the author in his work “Romance de Amor.” Sávio further mentioned how the work became famous in Buenos Aires and attracted further attention from local publishers. Ricordi, an Argentinian publishing company, currently attributes Antonio Rubira as the author of the piece.

The earliest documented manuscripts of “Romance” can be traced back to the late 19th century. One of them attributes Antonio Rubira, while the other is an “unsigned” document. The second manuscript has a distinct note at the bottom, which states “Melodia de Sor,” or “Sor's melody.” This arguably attributes it to Fernando Sor. However, the prevalent style is highly contrasting from Sor’s work. The most noticeable difference is the use of the “inverted arpeggio.” Also, both manuscripts are not dated, and the handwriting does not match the attributed authors. They are speculated to be mere copies made by musicians and students. Also, Sor passed away in 1839, which further creates doubts when compared with the late 19th century origin.

“Nich Yaka Misyachna,” a Ukrainian folk song, is also theorized to be an antecedent of “Romance.” There has also been some inherent correlation made between “Romance” and “Nich Yaka Misyachna,” and also Beethoven's “Moonlight Sonata.” However, there are notable differences between them. Also, as European music is largely based on harmonic principles, similarities between unrelated compositions are quite omnipresent and, basically, inevitable.

Narciso Yepes, the renowned Spanish guitarist, is also listed as the author of “Romance” in the movie “Forbidden Games.” Yepes also holds the Spanish copyrights of the composition. However, recent publications list Yepes as the arranger of the piece, while the author remains unacknowledged. Yepes and his heirs claim that Narciso composed the piece as a young boy for his mother in 1934. However, Narciso’s birth year is 1927, so there remains doubt whether he is the author of a piece that was already recorded and published in the early 1900s. In 1941, Vicente Gomez, another Spanish guitarist, performed and published it in the movie “Blood and Sand,” attributing himself as the author.

The earliest known recording of this piece features Simon and Luis Ramirez. The recording was done on a cylinder in Madrid, between the years 1897 and 1901. It is titled as “Sort-Estudio para Guitarra.” The name “Sort” featured on the cylinder is also believed to be a reference to Fernando Sor, which is highly unlikely.

“Romance” effuses the “Parlour” music style that was prevalent in South America and Spain during the late 19th century. It has a closed three-part form - a minor key followed by a major key, with the minor key being reinstated in the third part. (From Galaxy Music Notes)

About the performer...

Steven began studying the guitar at age nine and has attended some of the finest music schools in the world including the Berklee College of Music (Boston), and the Mozarteum (Salzburg, Austria). He holds both a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Washington University (1980) and a Master of Music degree from the University of Arizona (1982).

Over the past 40 years, Steven has performed hundreds of concerts throughout the United States, Central & South America and Europe. His debut recordings ‘Espressivo’ and ‘Steven Saulls Plays Works by Ponce, Torroba & Bach’ have received wide acclaim both nationally and internationally. In addition to solo concerts, he has performed over 200 chamber works including guitar concerti (with orchestra) by Vivaldi, Ponce, and Rodrigo.

About the recording...

Recorded at The Steven Saulls Guitar Studio, Sahuarita, Arizona 2023/Guitar handcrafted by Martin Blackwell.

Copyright© 2023 Steven Saulls, Sahuarita, Arizona

For additional information please contact Steven Saulls at sdsaulls@gmail.com