The Hallé in Blackburn

Curiously, it’s often been French composers who’ve expressed Spain’s essence, as in Chabrier’s España, inspired by folk musicians he heard there on holiday. Bizet showed similar flair in his opera, Carmen, the colourful Suite No.1 concluding with the famous Toreadors’ March. But to capture the country’s soul, turn to a Spaniard: Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, performed by an always welcome Hallé guest, guitarist Craig Ogden.