Agustín Barrios Mangoré, born on May 5, 1885, in San Juan Bautista de las Misiones, Paraguay, is revered as one of the preeminent classical guitarists and prolific composers for the guitar of the 20th century. A child prodigy influenced by the music of Tárrega and the folk music of his homeland, Barrios began playing the guitar at a young age and further developed his talents at the Asunción National College. His compositions blend the rich folk music of Latin America with the refined style of European classical music, creating a unique and captivating sound that pushed the boundaries of guitar music in his time.

Barrios had a colorful life, often adopting the persona of Nitsuga Mangoré (an anagram of Agustín) and claiming to be a Chief of the Guaraní people to add an air of exoticism and mystique around his performances. Despite his eccentricities, his technical prowess and emotional depth are evident in compositions such as "La Catedral," a highly revered piece in the classical guitar canon, and the hauntingly beautiful "Julia Florida." His works, such as "Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios" (also known as "El Último Trémolo"), showcase his virtuosic command of the instrument and his ability to convey poignant melodicism. Barrios passed away on August 7, 1944, but his legacy lives on, influencing guitarists and composers worldwide. His music is celebrated and recorded extensively, keeping his innovative spirit and the profound beauty of his compositions alive for future generations to discover.

Genres

Classical Guitar

Guitarra Clasica

Latin Classical

Polca Paraguaya

Related Artists

Francisco Tárrega

Heitor Villa-Lobos

Joaquín Rodrigo

Andrés Segovia

John Williams

Leo Brouwer

Federico Moreno Torroba

Manuel Ponce

Julian Bream

Fernando Sor

Erik Satie

Antônio Carlos Jobim

Latest Release

Julia Florida (Barcarola)

Agustín Barrios Mangoré

Single - Released July 5, 2024