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New Children's Book About the Life and Music of Joaquín Rodrigo Earns High Praise

Jan. 30, 2025

Last month, Jeyran Main of Review Tales reviewed Karen A. Wyle and Tomasz Mikutel's delightful children's book, A Boy Who Made Music: The Extraordinary Life of Joaquín Rodrigo, which was released by Oblique Angles Press in August 2024. The informative and engaging picture book follows Joaquín's life from his carefree early childhood through his life-altering illness, his discovery of classical music, and his successful career and family life. The creators hope that Joaquín's story will inspire children to dream beyond the apparent limitations suggested by various circumstances in life. Additionally, the book includes multiple activities and enrichment materials to enhance readers' engagement with the story. 

Review Tales calls the volume, "an uplifting and beautifully illustrated picture book that celebrates the life of a remarkable composer. Wyle’s storytelling, combined with engaging illustrations and enriching back matter, makes this book a valuable addition to any child’s library. It is a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring impact of music, offering inspiration to children to dream big and overcome any obstacles they may face."

Cecilia Rodrigo, Director of the Rodrigo Foundation describes A Boy Who Made Music: The Extraordinary Life of Joaquín Rodrigo as a "Splendid contribution to increasing the awareness of Joaquin Rodrigo's unbelievable life . . . . The illustrations are beautiful, but above all, the text is most appropriate and true." 

Purchase a copy of the book in hardcover, paperback, or Kindle format here.

An excellent biography about the life and music of Joaquín Rodrigo is also available for adult readers: We highly recommend Carlos Laredo's illuminating tome, Joaquín Rodrigo: A Biography, which was made available in an English translation for the first time last year!

Tracing the life of one of the greatest Spanish composers of the 20th century, extensively researched, and thoroughly documented, Laredo's biography breaks some of the rules of orthodox biographies and reads like a novel, maintaining the reader’s interest from the beginning to the end. 

Laredo's book has received high praise from esteemed performers and scholars:

"I have loved reading this absolutely captivating biography of the Spanish composer with whom my father, brothers and myself shared a wonderful relationship and whose singular music we have countlessly performed. It’s a gripping book, narrating his eventful and extraordinary life with great realism and intensity." – Pepe Romero

"This recent biography allows us to further examine the life of our much admired and beloved Maestro Joaquín Rodrigo, as well as finally giving his wife Victoria Kamhi the recognition she deserves for the crucial role she played in the composer’s artistic career. A must read  for all music lovers!" – Manuel Barrueco

"Not at all like the classic biographies. This chronicle, written by Carlos Laredo, a friend of the composer, reads like a genuine novel (in literary terms), but it's firmly documented by countless letters and other unpublished documents. A fascinating book." – Rafael Aguirre

"It has been a pleasant surprise to discover this magnificent biography of the great Spanish composer. It’s interesting, enjoyable, and very well documented by C. Laredo, an author and friend of J. Rodrigo’s family. I previously enjoyed the Maestro’s music on many levels, but now I will feel all the more identified with its creator when I perform it." – Juan Manuel Cañizares

"I was impressed when reading this very interesting biography, which reveals the great personality of an untold Joaquín Rodrigo. It's an enthralling and very well documented story of the brilliant Spanish composer’s life, who I had the honor of personally meeting and whose two cello concertos I have recorded and continue to perform worldwide." – Asier Polo

“Joaquín Rodrigo – A Biography by Carlos Laredo is without a doubt the best biography ever written of the great Spanish composer. I had the enormous pleasure of personally meeting the Maestro and his wife, Victoria. His works fill me with profound admiration for this genius musician and man, who in spite of his blindness, was able to draw the most beautiful music from the darkness of his world." – David Russell

Joaquín Rodrigo: A Biography can be ordered from Ediciones Joaquín Rodrigo here, or from Amazon here.

To learn more about Joaquín Rodrigo, visit joaquin-rodrigo.com and schott-music.com. 

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